Tallinn Christmas Market - craft workshop!

 

Welcome to Tallinn Christmas Market - in the comfort of your own home!

Normally at this time of year we would be gearing up to send our clients on a festive treat to the Christmas Markets of Tallinn, Riga & Vilnius. Sadly, in these times of Covid the Christmas Markets are off limits - so we thought we would bring the spirit of Tallinn Christmas Market to you in your own home. Last December Sarah had a fabulous time at Tallinn Christmas Markets and here she shares her memories of the most charming Christmas craft workshop at the open-air museum...

If only we could bring you the spiced wine scent that wafts around the stalls, the soft glow that blankets the old town square and the chill in the air that makes you want to splash out on traditional knitted goodies. But this year, as travel to Tallinn Christmas Market is off the cards, we will bring the best of it to you. Take a moment to pour yourself a hot mulled wine, light some scented candles, snuggle up on the sofa with a cosy blanket and let's transport ourselves to Tallinn old town on a beautiful winter's day...

 

Tallinn Christmas Market is magical. The Old Town square is the perfect backdrop for colourful stalls with twinkling lights. There is a host of cosy cafes, bars and restaurants for when you want to rest your legs, and everything is the perfect scale for sightseeing, shopping, gallery or museum viewing on a winter's day. Traditional crafts and contemporay artisan work complement each other beautifully on the market stalls, there is a vibrant mixture of festive decorations, arts & crafts to choose from. Local producers offer samples of hot wine, apple pie, small cakes and sweets, cheeses and liquor. You are sure to take home some of those to crack open on Christmas Day!

 

 

One of the highlights of my visit to the Tallinn Christmas Market was a day out of town to the Estonian Open-air Museum for a workshop to make Christmas decorations like Grandma used to!

It was beautiful, homely and traditional. It was everything mass-produced, imported glitzy decorations are not. They are unique, made with love and laughter and very eco-friendly. The craft workshop was festive and fulfilling. Simple can so often be best.

 

 

In a world of over-consumption and waste, this was the perfect Christmas antidote to busy shopping trips and mass-produced, over-packaged imports. Christmas decorations made from recycled paper, straw, twine, wool and wine bottle corks (justifies stocking up on the corks over the course of the year!) So simple and attractive; no plastic, no toxic paints, just locally sourced, recycled materials. 

Back on the Christmas market stalls in Tallinn old town the stalls are filled with much more talented artisans than me, it is a delight to meet them and listen to their stories, maybe buy an Estonian Christmas souvenir that will year-on-year remind you of that wonderful trip to Tallinn. Best wishes, Sarah

Shop like you're at Tallinn Christmas Market here!

We have partnered with www.etsy.com to bring you the best of Estonian handicrafts, art & gifts online. Support local artisans (and your favourite Baltic tour operator!) while travel is on hold and dream of your future travels in Estonia...

 

Sarah was on a research trip hosted by Visit Estonia - it was an unforgettable Tallinn Christmas Market experience and we would love to recreate it for you. Contact Sarah to chat about your plans to visit Estonia for the Christmas markets or for an Estonian Winter Rural Experience! [email protected]