It’s December, so we hardly need to have any better reason to raise a glass. Whether it’s at holiday parties with colleagues and get-togethers with family, or just in anticipation of your January credit card statement, there are plenty of opportunities to throw back a few this month.

One of our favorite ways to get in the holiday spirit(s), though, exists only during this time of year. The Baltimore Christmas Village at West Shore Park is the perfect place to celebrate the holiday season, get some holiday shopping in, and imbibe a bit.

Meandering around the German-inspired market, visitors can enjoy live stage performances, photography classes, wine and cheese tastings, and pick up any number of unique gifts from vendors selling the likes of hand-painted glasses, books, soap and body butter, warm hats and scarves, candles, instruments, ornaments, and plenty more.

In addition, food vendors are on hand with plenty of bratwurst, schnitzel, sauerkraut, potato salad, gingerbread, and other German cuisine (as well as some local noshes like crab cakes), both savory and sweet.

However, what goes better with cool weather, holiday shopping, and brats than a few German beverages?

This year, the market is offering three types of Gluehwein, including a variety with traditional mulling spices as well as a blueberry and a cherry version. All are imported directly from Nuremberg’s Gerstacker Weinkellerei and are served in one-of-a-kind mugs that change each year - a perfect opportunity for collectors.

For beer, Hofbrau is on tap and in bottles in Original, Dunkel, and Weizen, as well as the Oktoberfest which is offered exclusively on tap. Bottles of Stiegl and Stiegl flavored with grapefruit are also available.

Drinks are permitted throughout the market both inside heated tents and outdoors.

We can’t think of a more spirited way to celebrate the holidays while also knocking out the holiday shopping. Prost!

Photos via Christmas Village in Baltimore