December is the busiest time of the year for students. Libraries are full of students reading for their exams and writing essays, longing for the holiday to come so their stressed minds can get some sought-after peace. Sometimes the brain needs a small rest before Christmas as well, and why not combine it with trying to get into the Christmas spirit? I have checked out the Edinburgh Christmas, located next to Edinburgh Waverly train station, to see what they have to offer students who needs a small break from studies. I have listed ten suggestions for what you can do there:
1. Try out one of the rides or attractions
For students, who usually are on a tight budget, it is pretty expensive to buy a ticket for some of the rides. However, if you are dear-devil with money in your pocket who are not afraid of heights, go for it. To avoid the queue, you can book tickets for the lines online at Edinburgh Christmas markets website.
2. Enjoy the smell of Christmas
This Christmas decoration smells just like Christmas. And so does some of the food that are being made at the market.
3. Taste some international food
The Christmas marked offers a range of food from different countries. I went for a German Bratwurst. Make sure not to spill tomato sauce on anyone walking past you.
4. Buy gifts to your family and friends
If you have not started thinking about buying your Christmas gifts yet, the Edinburgh Christmas marked is a great place to start. Jewellery, artificial snow, wooden hedgehogs and funny signs are some of the things sold there. If you are not thinking of buying anything, just have a look at all the funny things, and touch the artificial snow if you find the stall that sells it (it feels sooo soft).
5. Dress like its Christmas
Wear your favourite Christmas clothes to the market. There are a lot of people here who take the opportunity to show off their Christmas sweaters and Santa hats. I even saw a dog wearing an elf costume I love this man´s Christmas lightbulb necklace- a nice way of showing that he enjoys Christmas.
6. Enjoy a hot drink
December in Edinburgh can be colder than you expected, depending where you are from. To keep warm, buy a hot chocolate, coffee or another type of hot drink. Alternatively, you can bring your own drink in a thermos flask. Remember to put some warm clothes on.
7. Buy a funny hat
If you still feel cold after that hot chocolate, there are plenty of warm hats to choose from at the market.
8. Spend time with your friends
I recommend using the opportunity to enjoy some time with your friends. Share a portion of churros or count how many people you see wearing Christmas hats. If you go on a weekend, the queues for tickets to the rides are pretty long, and times go faster if you have someone to talk to.
8. Notice the Christmas decorations
Christmas decorations and Christmas music will hopefully set you in the Christmas mood. And it is also nice to see Edinburgh Castle in the background.
10. Take a selfie
This is the place I noticed that most people were taking their selfies. With all the lights the place look pretty in the afternoon. If you are not that into selfies, you can go for at walk in the artificial forest shown on the picture.
Have you been to Edinburgh Christmas market? What do you think about it?
Ina N. Moe 