Last weekend, in the midst of formative essay writing, seminar reading and statistics homework, I took a break from it all to walk down to the South Bank Christmas Markets. Each year these markets occupy the space outside the Southbank Centre and bring a festive feeling to central London with lights hanging from the trees and buildings, Christmas music playing and festive spirit in abundance among wooden huts selling seasonal food, beverages and gifts. Not only did a glass of mulled wine or two thoroughly lift my spirits while in the middle of a long weekend marathon of study. It also brought a bit of perspective into my MSc saturated brain that other things such in the world such as the countdown to Christmas are going on!

It is easy to get thoroughly absorbed in the bubble of study as formative essay deadlines pile up and the end of term and terror-inducing knowledge that the dissertation and summative essays must start to be thought about enter your brain. Life at LSE can be all encompassing, fascinating, educationally stimulating but also overwhelming and I think taking time out to appreciate what else is going on is a healthy habit.

The markets stretch from Waterloo Bridge towards the London Eye and are well worth a visit. The wooden huts which line up all the way along the river sell an assortment of Christmas gifts such as scarfs, jewellery, candles, soaps and festive decorations. You can also purchase mulled wine or Glühwein, as well as spiced cider, hot chocolate with Baileys and a range of other festive hot drinks. As for food, the traditional range of German sausages is on offer as well as ostrich and buffalo burgers and sweet treats such as crepes, cinnamon rolls and waffles.

As for a bit of history…..a Christmas market is also known as Christkindlmarkt, Christkindlesmarkt, Christkindlmarket, and Weihnachtsmarkt and is a street market associated with the celebration of Christmas during the four weeks of Advent, which begins on the 1 December. These markets originated in Germany, Austria, South Tyrol and Alsace but are now being held in many other European countries including the UK. The history of the Christmas market goes back to the Late Middle Ages in the German-speaking part of Europe: Dresden’s Strietzelmarkt was first held in 1434. The Vienna December market in Austria was a kind of forerunner of the Christmas market and dates back to 1294.

If you get a chance I highly suggest a visit to one of the spectacular Christmas markets which take place in a host of European cities each year. Last year I travelled to Cologne in Germany to visit the markets where the mulled wine tastes even better and also comes in a proper festively decorated mug which you are allowed keep at a small cost. In addition to this the traditional German sausages are unbeatable and you get to soak up the atmosphere of Christmas and explore a new city.

Despite the stress of MSc deadlines it was good to take a break and appreciate what was going on outside my study bubble for a short time and celebrate the approaching festive season! Therefore a visit to the Southbank Christmas markets is highly recommended for a bit of end of term de-stressing.