18/365
This little guy is a Räuchermann (literally translated, smoking man). He is a traditional incense smoker from Germany. They have been around in German homes at Christmas since the 19th century. The way that it works is you get these tiny incense cones, open him up, put one in his belly, light it, and then he blows the fragrance and smoke out of his mouth (hence, the pipe). There are several different styles of Räuchermenschen that are handmade and sold all over Germany around Christmas time at the Weinachtsmarkt (Christmas Market). A Christmas Market is just like what it sounds - an outdoor market right around Christmas time that has mulled wine, other cute wooden ornaments, etc. for sale. Just about every German town has one.
I studied abroad in Germany my junior year in college (12 years ago now O_o), and my mom came to visit for Christmas. We went to the most famous Weinachtsmarkt in Rothenburg ob der Tauber, and I bought a Räuchermann for my aunt and uncle. They loved it! However, I've always kind of regretted not getting one to keep as well (ahh, well, I was still in college and didn't have a place of my own). Imagine my surprise when visiting Stillwater, MN yesterday (see the 17/365 pics), I saw a Käthe Wohlfahrt store. This store is like a year-round Christmas Market in Rothenburg ob der Tauber, and we definitely visited it while I studied there. I had no idea that they also had one here in the states. At any rate, I knew I needed to rectify the situation and go get myself a Räuchermann. So, this little guy came home with me. I love his hat with the little pine cone as well as the squirrel.
If you are interested in a Räuchermann for yourself or any other traditional German Christmas decorations, you can visit the
18/365
This little guy is a Räuchermann (literally translated, smoking man). He is a traditional incense smoker from Germany. They have been around in German homes at Christmas since the 19th century. The way that it works is you get these tiny incense cones, open him up, put one in his belly, light it, and then he blows the fragrance and smoke out of his mouth (hence, the pipe). There are several different styles of Räuchermenschen that are handmade and sold all over Germany around Christmas time at the Weinachtsmarkt (Christmas Market). A Christmas Market is just like what it sounds - an outdoor market right around Christmas time that has mulled wine, other cute wooden ornaments, etc. for sale. Just about every German town has one.
I studied abroad in Germany my junior year in college (12 years ago now O_o), and my mom came to visit for Christmas. We went to the most famous Weinachtsmarkt in Rothenburg ob der Tauber, and I bought a Räuchermann for my aunt and uncle. They loved it! However, I've always kind of regretted not getting one to keep as well (ahh, well, I was still in college and didn't have a place of my own). Imagine my surprise when visiting Stillwater, MN yesterday (see the 17/365 pics), I saw a Käthe Wohlfahrt store. This store is like a year-round Christmas Market in Rothenburg ob der Tauber, and we definitely visited it while I studied there. I had no idea that they also had one here in the states. At any rate, I knew I needed to rectify the situation and go get myself a Räuchermann. So, this little guy came home with me. I love his hat with the little pine cone as well as the squirrel.
If you are interested in a Räuchermann for yourself or any other traditional German Christmas decorations, you can visit the