EXIT Realty Capital City | 2023 Yuletide Hall Stage Sponsor
We’re pleased to welcome EXIT Realty Capital City as the Yuletide Hall Stage Sponsor of Christkindlmarket Des Moines 2023.
EXIT Realty Capital City is comprised of a team of local real estate professionals committed to fast, professional and courteous service to help you understand and feel at ease throughout the home buying and selling process.
EXIT Realty Capital City is interested in serving property buyers and sellers throughout Iowa. When you’re looking to buy a house, their agents will help match you with the perfect home for your family and help you navigate the complex transaction process. EXIT Realty agents provide guidance on everything from making the initial offer to fulfilling all the lender’s requirements and closing the deal. Home buyers are also encouraged to take advantage of a free home loan analysis to get the process started for approved financing.
If you’re looking to sell your home, use EXIT Realty’s expertise to get the full value of your house. With EXIT Realty’s innovative digital marketing strategies combined with proven direct marketing tactics, you’ll be able to sell your home faster at a rewarding price. Their agents value your time and respond promptly to your requests and questions as they come along.
Meet the Christkindlmarket Des Moines 2023 Christkind
We would like to introduce Karlie Latterell as the Christkind for this year’s Christkindlmarket Des Moines. Karlie is a student at Norwalk High School.
The Christkind is the namesake of Christkindlmarkets. The Christkind is often described as a fairy-like being dressed in gold and white robes with a crown upon their golden locks. Christkind folklore dates back to the 1500s and stems from traditional customs: parades during the holiday season were guided by one “grand” angel, the Christkind. They are the bearer of gifts to most children in German-speaking countries, much like Santa Claus is in the United States.
Our Christkind will be making appearances at the festival during our opening ceremony December 1, 2023 from 6pm – 7pm. She will also make appearances on December 2nd and 3rd from 2pm-4pm.
Sugarplums | #CDM2023 Vendor
Tell us about your business
We sell cakes and cupcakes year round.
What inspired you to get involved as a vendor at Christkindlmarket Des Moines 2023?
We have been participating in the Christkindlmarket Des Moines since its second year.
What products will you be selling at Christkindlmarket Des Moines 2023 and why did you choose them?
We specialize in German Gingerbreads and cookies for Christkindlmarket Des Moines. Our best sellers are Lebkuchen and Pfeffernuss. Lebkuchen is the gingerbread that we start making about a month before the market so it has time to soften and for the flavors to meld.
Anything else you’d like to share?
This is our favorite event every year and we’re looking forward to it!
Des Moines Refugee Support – CDM 2023 Non-Profit Silent Auction Tree Participant
The Christkindlmarket Des Moines Silent Auction will be featuring 12 Iowa non-profit organizations and their festive tree creations in our Weihnachtswald tent during CDM 2023 November 30 – December 3, 2023.
Des Moines Refugee Support (DMRS) is participating in the CDM Silent Auction for a second year. They love partnering with cultural events that encourage people to be proud of where they are from and celebrate the diversity of Des Moines.
DMRS identifies and bridges gaps for refugee families as they establish their new lives in Iowa. They need ongoing funding for preschool transportation for kids who would otherwise not be able to go, support for their Success Through Soccer program, and food distribution. Proceeds from the DMRS tree will go directly to fund these need. Here is their tree from 2022. So lovely!
Come see what DMRS has in the works for a festive tree, visit Christkindlmarket Des Moines November 30 – December 3, 2023!
Daughters of Norway – CDM 2023 Non-Profit Silent Auction Tree Participant
The Christkindlmarket Des Moines Silent Auction will be featuring 12 Iowa non-profit organizations and their festive tree creations in our Weihnachtswald tent during CDM 2023 November 30 – December 3, 2023.
The Daughters of Norway have been staples in the Weihnachtswald since our inaugural year in 2016. Eva Nansen Lodge 46 became the first Iowa lodge to bear the name Daughters of Norway on November 5, 2006 with forty-six charter members representing Norway, Denmark, and Sweden ancestries. Membership is available not only to Norwegians, but women with Danish, Swedish, Finnish, and Icelandic connections. The Lodge Sisters pride themselves in offering educational and festive events, cultural programs and activities, and social gatherings. Lifelong Nordic friendships have developed while sharing common interests. The Daughters of Norway continue to participate in the CDM Silent Auction because it promotes their organization to a broader audience so people are more aware of their existence. The lodge members create fantastic trees by working together to craft many of the ornaments and enjoy the camaraderie on decoration day. Here is their tree from 2022. Isn’t it amazing?
If you are excited to see what Daughter of Norway have in store for us this year, visit Christkindlmarket Des Moines November 30 – December 3, 2023!
CDM 2023 Non-Profit Silent Auction Tree Participants
We are thrilled to be gearing up for Christkindlmarket 2023. This year’s market sees the return of patron favorites and new vendors to entice and excite! The Silent Auction is no different. We have nine returning nonprofits and three new organizations waiting to showcase amazing trees for our market goers to bid on, take home, and enjoy for the remainder of the holiday season.
List of Participants:
• Daughter of Norway-Eva Nansen Lodge
• Hope Animal Rescue of Iowa
• Des Moines Refugee Support
• Italian-American Cultural Center of Iowa
• Can Do Cancer
• AFS Intercultural Programs USA
• Serving Hands, INC.
• Living History Farms
• Alliance Française of Central Iowa
• Self-Help International
• Danish Brotherhood Lodge #15
• Sons of Noray Marsteinen Lodge
The Silent Auction will begin the first day of the market, Thursday, November 30 at 5pm and conclude Sunday, December 3 at 5pm. Winning bidders will be notified via our text-to-bid platform and all trees will be wrapped and ready for pick up between 5:30pm and 7:30 pm Sunday evening directly following the end of Christkindlmarket 2023.
Keep checking out this blog for features on each participation organization!
Good Moon Pottery | #CDM2023 Vendor
Tell us about your business
My moto is “unique pottery to make your every day rituals special”. My pots are intended to be used every day, and should bring a smile to your face every time you use them. I think choosing a handmade mug for your coffee or a sweet little ceramic tumbler can bring a little charm to regular activities. I love infusing humor into my work, often playing on favorite phrases like “Good Vibes Only” paired with a skull and crossbones, or two loooooong wiener dogs kissing across the length of a mug body.
What inspired you to get involved as a vendor at Christkindlmarket Des Moines 2023?
I’ve loved the Christkindlemarket for years and last year was the first time I had the courage to apply as a vendor. It was an amazing experience — and not just the freezing wind! People are friendly, the vibe is so festive, the food is incredible, and who doesn’t want to listen to polka all day?!
What products will you be selling at Christkindlmarket Des Moines 2023 and why did you choose them?
Unique pottery including mugs, dishes, and special items like Christmas Ornaments! Tons of gift options for folks that appreciate beautiful but accessible handmade ceramics that are completely unique. None of my pieces are exactly the same, and that is something I cherish.
Anything else you’d like to share?
Stop by my hut to try the Good Moon Pottery Machine!! Our vending machine dispenses something better than candy… for the price of a token you can get a special tiny pot!
Daughters of Penelope Zeus #38 | #CDM2023 Nonprofit Partner
Christkindlmarket Des Moines is pleased to partner with Daughters of Penelope Zeus #38 as a Nonprofit Partner this year.
Daughters of Penelope Zeus #38 and their team of volunteers will be managing a point of sale at the Glühwein Tent on Thursday and Saturday. All cash tips placed in their tip jar at their point of sale will go directly to their organization. The Iowa European Cultural Connection, the nonprofit that produces Christkindlmarket Des Moines, will also make a $500 donation as part of our partnership.
The Mission of the Daughters of Penelope is to promote Hellenism, Education, Philanthropy, Civic Responsibility, Family and Individual Excellence.
The Daughters of Penelope was the realization of Alexandra Apostolides’ dream. Her desire was to create a woman’s organization and because of her perseverance and the encouragement of her husband Dr. Emanuel Apostolides, a devoted AHEPAN, she formed EOS Chapter#1 with 25 charter members on November 16, 1929, in San Francisco, California. She was elected the first Grand President of the organization in 1931.
Des Moines Children’s Museum | #CDM2023 Nonprofit Partner
Christkindlmarket Des Moines is pleased to partner with Des Moines Children’s Museum as a Nonprofit Partner this year.
Des Moines Children’s Museum and their team of volunteers will be managing a point of sale at the Glühwein Tent on Thursday and Friday. All cash tips placed in their tip jar at their point of sale will go directly to their organization. The Iowa European Cultural Connection, the nonprofit that produces Christkindlmarket Des Moines, will also make a $500 donation as part of our partnership.
The Des Moines Children’s Museum’s mission is to build the foundation of lifelong learning by promoting the power of play.
We Value: Play, Connections, Creativity & Curiosity, Innovation, Research, Impressive Persistence, Inclusivity.
Our vision is a playful museum, always striving to be better, helping families connect with each other, community resources, and the world.
Children Invited to Participate in Opening Ceremony Procession
Children are an integral component of any Christkindlmarket opening ceremony. Would your child (children) like to follow “Saint Nicholas” through Christkindlmarket Des Moines to participate in the opening ceremony?
Contact Dave Cox at [email protected] with questions and interest. We would like at most 25 children to participate.
Children and parents are invited to gather in the Entrance of the venue at 5:40pm on Friday, December 1, (please be on time) to receive a luminary and battery-operated candle. Please return the luminaries to a volunteer at the end of the opening ceremony if your child does not wish to take it home.