Need some Christmas spirit?

Every now and then there comes a Christmas that just you just don't feel. Maybe you miss the Charlie Brown Christmas special, your winter coat is stolen, or you have a traumatic experience where you are subjected to the cheesiest holiday music until you think your head will explode - worse yet, all of these things happen to you. Drastic times call for drastic measures.

If you have unlimited funds, get on the next flight to Germany - they know how to celebrate Christmas better than anywhere else. Nearly every town has a Christmas market called a Weihnachtsmarkt or Christkindlesmarkt; it's an open-air market in the city center. The Weihnachtsmarkt is the epitome of Christmas with a Nativity Scene, decorations, toys, gifts, and performances. But the best part of the market is its food and drink stands. They have everything from beer and Bratwurst to warm drinks and Christmas cookies.

For those of us without unlimited funds, there is an alternative - Glühwein. I first discovered this warm mulled wine at the Weihnachtsmarkts. Now, the holiday season just doesn't seem complete without it. Glühwein tastes like Christmas, and I'm happy to report that now Christmas is available at Trader Joe's and World Market. It's almost like being back in the Germany...almost.