The Christmas Window Boxes of Germany

Photographs of Christmas window boxes I took in Germany during an amazing Christmas markets tour.

Last updated: January 9, 2020

Katie Dillon

Christmas may be over but as I was editing photos from my trip to Germany, I wanted to share the gorgeous Christmas window boxes that I started noticing halfway through my tour of Germany’s Christmas markets on Uniworld.

It turns out that window boxes date back centuries to the Roman Empire who planted these mini gardens in terracotta planters. Originally, they served as extensions of or substitutes for the garden, housing herbs for medicines and food. However, as the need for this lessened, they became decorative and in true Roman style, many were–and still are–incredibly lavish.

The idea of window baskets traveled with the settlers to America and remain popular in places like England, Italy, Holland, and Germany. Most of these photos were taken in Rothenburg, a town that revolves around Christmas.

Save these ideas for later as they’d look lovely in regular container gardens around the yard, too.

Katie Dillon

Katie Dillon is the founder of La Jolla Mom, a trusted travel resource for exploring San Diego—both with kids and without—and for luxury hotel stays worldwide. A professional travel advisor and former expat in Hong Kong and London, she’s uniquely qualified to review hotels with the discerning eye that comes from years of living in a Four Seasons. A San Diego local for over three decades, she’s active in the tourism community, a certified San Diego destination specialist, and a longtime member of attractions like the San Diego Zoo and LEGOLAND California. Her readers benefit from exclusive hotel privileges, verified theme park ticket discounts, and booking tools that simplify planning.