Merry Christmas from Bavarian Football Works!

It’s Christmastime in Bavaria, and for all of us who follow Bayern Munich, whether you celebrate Christmas or not, it’s a time of rest — the “winter break”: when the team takes a well-earned and (this year) urgently-needed reprieve from the rigors of competition. The holidays also give us at BFW a bit of breathing room after covering yet another intense and eventful Hinrunde.

Christmas is obviously a special holiday in Bavaria and Germany generally. All across the country, people enjoy the special atmosphere of Christmas markets set up in December. Here’s a photo taken by UEFA journalist Jordan Maciel of the big central market at Marienplatz in the heart of Munich:

But equally obviously, Christmas and the holiday season generally are what you make of them, whether you are enjoying a cup of Glühwein or just enjoying a day off wherever you might be.

John Dillon/Bavarian Football Works

As for me, I am currently enjoying the warmest “Christmas” I’ve ever experienced. I’m in Taipei this year with family. It’s 79° F (26° C) outside today and sunny. Not exactly a white Christmas. I’ve seen some random decorations, oddly colored trees, and a very diminutive Santa at the Grand Hotel, but this isn’t exactly a place that really celebrates Christmas.

I’m with family, though, and that makes these days special.

And here I am writing a note for my extended Bayern family, too. Thanks for being here and reading our posts and discussing with us. On behalf of all of us at BFW, I hope you enjoy today and the holidays generally wherever you are and whatever you might be celebrating.

Oh yeah — look who I ran into at the little Christmas market set up here in Taipei at the local mall:

John Dillon/Bavarian Football Works

Can’t shake this guy! Jeez.