European Cultural Meet-Up Hosted by Daughters of Norway
Enjoy the fellowship of a diverse group of European Cultural Organizations for a “Meet-Up” at Christkindlmarket Des Moines.
Date: Saturday, December 4
Time: 6-9pm
Meet in Yuletide Hall (an outdoor, forced-air heated entertainment tent) as you sip on Glühwein, enjoy a seasonal craft beer or nosh on brats from the IECC brat stand.
Represent your European culture by wearing traditional attire (if you’d like) and get to know other cultural organizations in Central Iowa.
The Daughters of Norway – Eva Nansen Lodge #46 will be your host and a table will be reserved for the group.
Christkindlmarket DSM Mug Unveiling Party and Open House
We had a great time at the #CDM2021 Mug Unveiling and Open House on Sunday, August 22 from 2 – 4pm. Attendees shopped a mini market featuring foods and handcrafted items from Christkindlmarket Des Moines 2021 vendors The Kringle Man, Three In One Artworks, Schanz Furniture, Fritz Toffee Company and Indianola Glass Creations.
A limited quantity of commemorative Glühwein mugs are ordered each year and with a donation of $25 (or more), you can guarantee your mug to be picked up at Christkindlmarket Des Moines.
CDM At The Beaverdale Farmers Market
Come see us at the Beaverdale Farmers Market August 17 from 4 – 7pm!
48th St & Franklin Ave
Host Your Holiday Party in Yuletide Hall at Christkindlmarket Des Moines
‘Tis the season for celebrating! Your reserved table in Yuletide Hall (heated) comes with drink tickets and souvenirs.
Reserve an 8-person table in Yuletide Hall at Christkindlmarket Des Moines on Thursday, December 2 and get into the holiday spirit as you enjoy performances by Barefoot Becky & the Ivanhoe Dutchmen. Perfect for families, social club outings, corporate holiday parties, volunteer appreciation outings, social hours, etc.
Each ticket comes with the following:
- A reserved 8-person table in Yuletide Hall, our heated entertainment tent at Christkindlmarket Des Moines (CDM)
- 2 food/drink vouchers PER PERSON that can be used for Glühwein (warm mulled wine), Kinderpunsch (warm mulled cider), Iowa craft beers, International beers, and brats
- A 2021 commemorative Glühwein mug OR CDM pint glass PER PERSON
- A 2021 commemorative pin OR ornament PER PERSON
Choose from two seatings on Thursday, December 2, 2021:
5:30pm – 7:30pm
6:30pm – 8:30pm
Early bird pricing per table before October 1, 2021: $225
Pricing per table after October 1, 2021: $250
Your purchase will support Des Moines European Heritage Association, the 501c3 tax-exempt non-profit that produces Christkindlmarket Des Moines.
Christkindlmarket DSM Mug Unveiling and Open House
Be one of the first to view Christkindlmarket Des Moines’ 2021 Glühwein mug design at Jasper Winery on Sunday, August 22 from 2 – 4pm. The mug design will be revealed at 3pm, following a special announcement from Des Moines European Heritage Association Board President, Suzanne Hull.
Shop a mini market featuring foods and handcrafted items from Christkindlmarket Des Moines 2021 vendors. Jasper wines and Madhouse beer will be available for purchase.
A limited quantity of commemorative mugs are ordered each year, the first 25 attendees to donate $25 (or more) to guarantee their 2021 mug will receive a goody bag.
Learn more about Des Moines European Heritage Association (DMEHA), the non-profit that produces Christkindlmarket Des Moines. Find out about what we do and how to get involved.
Admission is free; donations accepted.
FREE Children’s Activity Kit Drive Through Pop-Up at Salisbury House
Hey all you Christmas-loving crafters! CDM Curbside’s Kinderkorner, sponsored by MidAmerican Energy Company, will be hosting a free, drive-through pop-up event at the Salisbury House (4025 Tonawanda Drive, Des Moines, IA 50312), Sunday, November 15th from 9 – 11 am. There will be five different European-inspired Christmas craft kits for children ages 1-12 while supplies last.
Twist together a lucky Ukrainian Christmas Spider; learn about the Italian Christmas witch as you craft her broom; share the love after decorating a Croatian licitar heart; celebrate the season piecing together a Spanish pinata; or fold together a traditional Tyrolean Hat (Alpine Hat).
Don’t forget to shop CDM Curbside presented by Christkindlmarket Des Moines Nov. 9th – 22nd with pick at Principal Park Dec 3rd-6th. The Kinderkorner will have three FREE children’s craft kits exclusive to the online marketplace that you can add to your shopping cart.
Can’t wait to see you!
Get Excited and Ready to Bid!
Over the last few weeks, we have been introducing you to the 15 non-profit organizations who will be participating in this years’ Christkindlmarket Des Moines Christmas Tree Silent Auction. Below are the names and themes of all 15 trees you can have a chance to take home at the end of CDM 2019.
Item 0101: Military and First Reponders presented by Mackenzie Highlanders Pipes & Drums of Iowa
Decorated with ornaments show casing the different branches of military and first responders
Item 0102: Hearts and Hands presented by Mosaic in Central Iowa
“Christmas will always be as long we stand heart to heart and hand in hand” -Dr. Seuss
Everyone loves Dr Seuss & this is a perfect quote to compliment the values of belonging and connection. The people supported by Mosaic will be partnering with friends of Mosaic (volunteers) to create ornaments using their artwork.
Item 0103: Red White and Blue presented by Veterans in Agriculture
After serving throughout the world, our nation’s military is always happy to return to the Red, White, and Blue. This tree is all decked out in those colors and not only are these decorations for Christmas, but many can be used to celebrate other national holidays, like the Fourth of July, Veterans Day, Memorial Day and others
Item 0104: A Gift for the Birds presented by the Pet Project Midwest
Ornaments are made to feed the birds. Place this tree in your yard and watch as the birds feast on a cold winter day. Each ornament in wrapped in cellophane and festive ribbon to protect the ornaments for the duration of the Silent Auction.
Item 0105: A Traditional Danish Christmas presented by The Danish Sisterhood
This tree is decorated with all things to create a traditional Danish Christmas
Item 0106: Julehygge (Christmas “Hygge”) presented by The Danish Brotherhood Lodge #15
“Hygge” is the Danish secret to happy living. This tree is adorned with traditional handmade ornaments. The woven hearts were first made by Hans Christian Andersen in 1860. He also was known for “papirklip” intricate cut out designs made from paper. Straw ornaments and garlands of Danish flags are traditional Christmas tree decorations.
Item 0107: Scottish Heritage presented by the Scottish Heritage Society of Iowa
White lights, tartan ribbon, balls, bells, white Westie Scotty Dogs, and empty mini-whiskey bottles dress up this tree.
Item 0108: French Christmas presented by Alliance Française of Central Iowa
This tree was inspired by the French language and culture
Item 0109: Christmas in Norway presented by Sons of Norway, Marstienen Lodge
The tree is decked out in culturally appropriate decorations of vikings, viking ships, Nisse and Norwegian flags.
Item 0110: Pups at Play presented by Taysia Blue Rescue
Leashes, treat filled ornaments, toys/tennis balls. All these decorations can be used to interact with your dog. Other ornaments include the names of dogs that have been in foster with Taysia Blue rescue in Iowa
Item 0111: Funkel, funkel kleiner Stern (Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star) presented by DMEHA Samstagsschule
A tree decorated to the “tune” of Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star
Item 0112: Home for the Pawlidayz presented by Hope Animal Rescue
Warm country chic feel with highlights of our adoptables and showing rescued is our favorite breed
Item 0113: Deutschland 2020 (Germany 2020) presented by Waukee High School International Club
Deutschland 2020 uses bulbs and ribbons in the German flag colors – Black, Red, and Gold (Schwarz, Rot, Gold). The colors celebrate the unity of West and East Germany on the 30th Anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall. Soft white lights shine a beacon for all countries that Democracy will prevail and unite the people. Using clear ornaments and pretzels highlight German Culture that brings Joy during the year.
Item 0114: Rockstar/VIP presented by Star Treatments
Children served by Star Treatments are referred to as “VIP” “Rockstar” so this tree will be adorned with Gold/Red Ribbon, Guitar picks, Bass Guitar Strings, Lanyards, Camera’s…and other items that relate to VIP treatment.
Item 0115: Guardian Angels and Scandinavian Gnomes presented by Daughters of Norway, Eva Nansen Lodge 46
This tree is decorated with a variety of Winter Solstice guardian angels and Scandinavian Mythological guardian gnomes that charmingly characterize the Christmas holidays and accented with lights and ornament balls.
Bidding will open Thursday, December 5th at 5pm during our preview party “Twas the Night Before CDM” and will continue through Sunday, December 8th at 3pm. Bidding is available online and via text.
Silent Auction Tree Blog Feature: Alliance Française of Central Iowa
Alliance Française of Central Iowa is another new addition to the Christkindlmarket Des Moines Silent Auction.
The Alliance is an all-volunteer, non-profit, educational, and cultural organization whose mission is to help foster friendship and collaboration between the people of Central Iowa and the French speaking world. They work to develop knowledge and appreciation of the French culture and the French language.
Alliance Française of Central Iowa, established in 1994, is part of the Alliance Française global network that dates from 1883, when the Alliance de Paris was created. Today, there are over 1200 Alliance chapters established in 112 countries.
Come to Christkindlmarekt Des Moines December 6th-8th to enjoy this French inspired tree and make a bid to support this organization.
For more information on Alliance Française of Central Iowa, please visit their website.
How to Bid on a Silent Auction Christmas Tree
You will once again be able to bid on silent auction items via text and online at event.gives/cdm2019.
Here, you can view and bid on silent auction trees starting December 5th at 5pm during our preview event, “Twas the Night Before CDM 2019” and through the duration of the market December 6th– 8th with bidding closing at 3pm Sunday, December 8th. If you are lucky enough to place the winning bid, you can pick the tree up Sunday evening, December 8th between 5:30 and 7:30pm.
You will notice that once you join the auction, you will receive a link to view all the items. Because you are bidding via text, you will receive a notification each time someone outbids you, and when you are the winning bidder. You can pay and receive your items more quickly than ever before.
Here’s how to join the auction.
Text the keyword cdm2019 to 843.606.5995 or go online to register and start bidding on December 5th at 5pm.
1. If you already have a Bidr account, you will be ready to bid! If not, the text will welcome you to the auction and ask for your name.
2. Once you have provided your name, Bidr will invite you to bid on an item by entering an item ID or by clicking on the link to the event website.
3. You can find item numbers on the Item Cards set up at the event.
4. Once you have texted the item number, Bidr will tell you what the current bid is.
5. Then you simply text in your bid, no dollar signs or commas needed.
6. Bidr will confirm your bid AND give you the opportunity to text “delete bid” if you entered your bid incorrectly.
7. Bidr will notify you through text each time you are outbid and give you the opportunity to bid again.
**Should you have any problems bidding, contact the auction organizer by emailing Missy at [email protected]
Note: All item numbers will have a zero first. The zero must be input for the system to register this as an item and not a bid.
O Tannenbaum! Help Give Our Non-Profit Holiday Trees a Better Home
For 2019, Christkindlmarket Des Moines is excited to be moving to its new home at Principal Park. As part of this move, we want to give our 15 non-profit partners* a better, safer and more weather-proof venue to display the holiday trees they have so thoughtfully decorated for our annual Non-Profit Tree Silent Auction (event.gives/cdm2019).
Click here to give
As a true, outdoor German-style Christmas market, we are at the mercy of the elements to some extent, but we think we have a solution—our first-ever covered Weihnachtswald (Christmas Forest). It would keep both our beautifully decorated evergreens and our marketgoers a bit cozier and more protected from potential weather issues and hopefully help us raise even more money for so many worthwhile causes across Iowa.
Click here to give
Won’t you please consider helping us create this amazing new place for our non-profit partners to showcase their amazing Tannenbaum Silent Auction from Dec. 5 -8 at Christkindlmarket Des Moines? Danke schön!
p.s. Have you reserved your limited-edition 2019 Christkindlmarket Des Moines collectible mug yet? It’s not too late. Get yours today before they’re gone.
*These include: Mackenzie Highlanders Pipes & Drums of Iowa, Mosaic in Central Iowa, Veterans In Agriculture, Greater Des Moines Sister City Commission, The Pet Project Midwest, Danish Brotherhood/Danish Sisterhood, Scottish Heritage Society of Iowa, Alliance Francais of Central Iowa, Marstienen Lodge, Sons of Norway, Taysia Blue Rescue, Urban Heights Covenant, DMEHA Samstagsschule, Hope Animal Rescue of Iowa, Waukee School District – International Club