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BySuzanne Hull

Christkindlmarket DSM Mug Unveiling and Open House

Be one of the first to view Christkindlmarket Des Moines’ 2019 Glühwein mug design at Jasper Winery on Tuesday, May 21 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.

Sip the signature drink (warm mulled wine) while shopping a mini market featuring foods and handcrafted items from Christkindlmarket Des Moines 2019 vendors. Other Jasper wines and Madhouse beer will also be available for purchase.

The first 25 attendees to donate $25 (or more) to guarantee their 2019 mug will receive a goody bag. A limited quantity of commemorative mugs are ordered each year. The mug design will be revealed at 6:30 p.m.

Learn more about Des Moines European Heritage Association (DMEHA), the non-profit that produced Christkindlmarket Des Moines. Sign up to become a Silver or Gold member and show your support for an association whose mission is to connect Iowans with European traditions, language education and cultural experiences.

Feeling festive? Bring your own Glühwein mug (0.2 liters) from a past Christmas market.

Admission is free; donations accepted.

BySuzanne Hull

#CDM2019 Vendor Announcement

 

Christkindlmarket Des Moines 2019 Gift and Specialty Item Vendors

 

 

 

 

 

 

An der Weihnachtsecke (At the Christmas Corner), Imported from Germany

Offering: advent calendars, imported chocolate, baumkuchen, Mozart kugeln, Asbach filled chocolates, assorted marzipan, Haribo, Pandoro, Pannetone, butter cookies, stollen, beer steins, beer mugs, beer glassware, shot glasses and Christkindlmarket Des Moines merchandise. Price Range: $1 – $200


 

 

 

German Imports, Germany

Offering: Steinbach nutcrackers and smokers; INGE glass ornaments.

Price Range: $5 – $400

 

 


DamonLayne Woodworking, Earlham, IA

Damon will be selling unique, hand-made cutting boards, cookie molds, and cheese slicers.

Offering: Woodworking: cookie molds, cutting boards, cheese slicers

Price Range: $20 – $200

 

 

 

 


DSM Foundry, Des Moines, IA

Ornaments, lanterns, signs, maps, and any other decorations we can cobbler together. Hand made in Des Moines with a laser cutter, woodworking, and a host of other mediums.

Offering: Lanterns, ornaments, decorative signs and maps, laser cut artwork

Price Range: $1 – $100

 

 

 


Pickle Creek Herbs, Fairfield, IA

At Pickle Creek, we use organic herbs we grow on our Iowa farm to handcraft artisanal herbal products, including infused olive oils and vinegars, soaps, salves, salts, and balms.

Offering: Herb-infused olive oils and vinegars, soaps, salves, salts, and balms that we handcraft ourselves using original recipes and the herbs and other produce we grow in our garden.

Price Range: $3 – $25

 

 


Held Companies, Corcoran, MN

At Held Companies we make handmade wooden snowmen and deer of all sizes. We also create laser cut decor such as; signs, ornaments, coasters and magnets.

Offering: Birch Snowmen, Birch Deer, Repurposed wooden signs, ornaments, wooden trees, etc.

Price Range: $2 – $150


Three In One Artworks, Urbandale, IA

Three In One Artworks offers unique, hand-crafted functional and decorative clay mugs, trays, boxes and bowls. Designs include agricultural and rural heritage, Celtic, Christian and contemporary designs.

Offering: Ornaments, coffee cups, mugs, serving trays, serving bowls, trinket boxes, trinket dishes, candle holders, vases, kitchen utensil holders, decorative trays, plates and bowls. (Celtic, agriculture and contemporary designs)

Price Range: $15 – $100


Danish Windmill, Elk Horn, IA

Authentic 1848 historic Danish Windmill located in Elk Horn, Iowa. The Windmill was built in Denmark in 1848 and reconstructed in Elk Horn in 1975 to working condition and stands as a memorial to the areas Danish Heritage.

Offering: Danish Christmas giftware celebrating old world traditions. Prepackaged Danish candy and Danish food

Price Range: $1 – $100


Andy Klindt – Chainsaw Carvings, Des Moines, IA | DEMONSTRATION

Andy Klindt creates using wood and iron, utilizing anything from chainsaws to traditional hand tools when working in wood and time honored methods of blacksmithing when working with metal.

Offering: Chainsaw carvings, Wooden ornaments, Hand forged kitchen ware, decorations, tools, knives, jewelry, Hand carved wooden kitchen ware, Handmade wooden boxes, totes, tables

Price Range: $7 – $3000

 

 

 

 


Nymph In The Woods, Boone, IA | DEMONSTRATION

Nymph in the Woods creates one-of-a-kind jewelry combining fused glass and wire wrapping! See how the pieces are created during wire wrapping demonstrations!

Offering: Jewelry combining fused glass and wire wrapping – necklaces, earrings, bracelets, rings and more!

Price Range: $15 – $150


Indianola Glass Creations, Indianola, IA | DEMONSTRATION

We make everything we sell in Indianola, Iowa. They are one of a kind fused and stained glass jewelry and home decor pieces. Will be demonstrating blown glass ornaments.

Offering: Fused glass pendants, earrings, bracelets, hair accessories, pop sockets, tie-tac’s, tie-bars, money clips & key chains. Fused glass plates, bowls, soap dish, spoon rest, business card holder, napkin holder Christmas ornaments. Stained glass Christmas ornaments pendants, earrings, picture frames and small panels. Blown glass ornaments, hand painted glass Christmas ornaments and hand painted wine bottle lights with winter scene.

Price Range: $8 – $150


Wild Cherry Spoon Co, Rock Island, IL | DEMONSTRATION

Handcarved wooden home, kitchen, and lifestyle goods made from ethically harvested urban lumber.

Offering: Hand-carved wooden: spoons, spatulas, kitchen utensils, cutting, serving, and presentation boards and trays, pizza cutters and paddles, shaving razors, shaving brushes, shaving stands, baby spoons, coffee scoops, beer flights, bottle openers, muddlers, wooden bowls.

Price Range: $5 – $125


Dakota Tinworks, Estelline, SD | DEMONSTRATION

Dakota Tinworks is a family-owned business dedicated to making and selling traditional tinware and ornaments, hand-made exclusively by tinsmith Karl-Josef Schmidt, using primarily antique, 19th century tinsmith’s tools and techniques.

Offering: Handmade tinware of all kinds: tin Christmas ornaments, tin tree tinsel, tin tree toppers, tin cookie cutters, tin biscuit cutters, tin candle holders, pierced tin candle covers, tin candle sconces, tin cups, and tin candle lanterns.

Price Range: $5 – $150

 

 

 

 


Quilted Gardens Nursery, Des Moines, IA | DEMONSTRATION

Specializing in fresh made wreaths and greens bundles, seasonal decor, Iowa made leather door bells and bell straps, glass bird and Fair trade gourd ornaments.

Offering: Fresh Wreaths and Greens, Glass Christmas Ornaments, Iowa-made leather Christmas Door Bells, Ice Globe Kits, German inspired Paper Cutout art, Fair trade gourd ornaments and boxes.

Price Range: $15 – $75

 

 

 


 

Christkindlmarket Des Moines 2019 Food & Beverage Vendors

 

 

Bratwurst Imbiss am Markt

Support Des Moines European Heritage Association (DMEHA), the non-profit that produces Christkindlmarket Des Moines with a purchase from this stand.

Offering: Usinger Brats, Käse Spätzle and bottled water

Price Range: $1 – $5


Glühwein

Glühwein (roughly, “glow-wine”, from the hot irons once used for mulling) is popular in German speaking countries. Glühwein is prepared from red wine, heated and spiced with cinnamon sticks, cloves, star aniseed, citrus, sugar and at times vanilla pods.


Iowa Beer Bus


L&L European Delight, Chariton, IA

Ukrainian style foods, gifts and desserts

Offering: Perogie, pelmeni, cabbage rolls, candy, sweets

Price Range: $1 – $10

 

 

 


Chocolaterie Stam, Des Moines, IA

Fine European chocolates and confections.

Offering: hot chocolate, prepacked chocolates, stroopwafels handmade, speculaas

Price Range: $3 – $40

 

 


Top of the Hill Nuts, Grinnell, IA

Offering: Cinnamon or maple flavored roasted almonds, cashews, pecans

Price Range: $5 – $8

 

 

 


Curbin Cuisine, Granger, IA

State of the art, wickedly designed bright green food truck.

Offering: The Hogfather sausage Sandwich, Corned Beef Reuben Sandwich or The Rachael W/ Turkey, German Style Mac N Cheese “Spatzle”, German Skillet Bowl, Garlic Parm Pretzel Bombs W/ Cheese Sauce, CinnaBomb Pretzel Bombs W/ Frosting Dip, Coffee & Water.
 
Price Range: $2 – $8

Sugarplums Cakes and Confections, LLC, Altoona, IA

Sugarplums is a local bakery that specializes in traditional gingerbread and other European baked goods for the Christkindlmarket. Everything we sell is made completely from scratch from family recipes.

Offering: German Gingerbread and cookies. Lebkuchen, pfeffernuss, springerle, spritz, spicy pretzels, cupcakes, sugar cookies, gingerbread houses , sentiment hearts and scotch-a-roo Santas.
 
Price Range: $2 – $40
 

Ruhland’s Strudel Haus, St. Paul, MN

Fresh baked sweet and savory strudels, handmade pretzels

Offering: Strudels and pretzels, Hot drinks
 
Price Range: $5 – $8
 
 
 
 
 

Cheese Bar, Des Moines, IA

Cheese Bar DSM will be unveiling our newest addition, Cheese Cart. We will be featuring Raclette prepared in the European Traditional Method of scrapping melted cheese over potatoes and sausage.

Offering: Raclette on Potatoes and Sausage
 
Price Range: $8 – $12
 
 

K & S Kitchen LLC, Des Moines, IA

French Style Crepes with a sweet or savory filling

Offering: Crepes with either a sweet or savory filling
 
Price Range: $5 – $7
 

The Kringle Man (Village Cafe), Elk Horn, IA

The Kringle is made of very high quality dough folded and buttered 81 times to get all the lightness and air pockets associated with Danish Baking. We blend Almond Paste with all our Fruit to come up with an irresistible, melt in your mouth flavor.

Offering: Danish Kringle, Letters, Cream Horns Krispies, Turnovers
 
Price Range: $2 – $12
 
 

The Big Red Food Truck, Granger, IA

Offering: Beef and Lamb Gyro, Brats and Tots, Irish Stew, Wienershnitzel, a British Bacon Butty Sandwich, and English Breakfast Tots
 
Price Range: $5 – $10
 
 
 
 
 
 

Support[1]

BySuzanne Hull

Registration Now Open For The 4th Annual Silent Auction at #CDM2019!

Christkindlmarket Des Moines is proud to present a unique fundraising opportunity for nonprofit organizations. We invite up to 15 participants to decorate 6-8 foot cut trees** that will be displayed during the market and sold via a silent auction. The organization that decorates the tree will receive 100% of the profits earned from Des Moines European Heritage Association following the event.

Individual organizations are responsible for all tree decorations, and all items used on the tree will be given to the winning bidder. We encourage decorations that are able to withstand the temperamental Iowa weather (snow, sleet, rain, and/or wind). The trees remain outside for the duration of Christkindlmarket Des Moines.

Relocating Christkindlmarket Des Moines to Principal Park this year has afforded us the opportunity to make some exciting changes relating to the Silent Auction.

  • We will be introducing “der Weihnachtswald,” the Christmas Forest. The Forest will house the Silent Auction trees along with our wooden Christmas tree tables to stand around and enjoy food and drinks. All of these items will be covered by an open sided tent to provide a bit of shelter from any seasonal precipitation.
  • We will also be able to feature our Silent Auction trees and open bids on Thursday evening during the private, ticketed preview party “’Twas the Night Before #CDM2019.”

We will once again be using off-site bidding technology to garner bids and use i-Pads on site to help interested bidders register. Minimum bids will start at $60 and increase in increments of $10. Organizations will be asked to decorate their tree on Wednesday, December 4th. Bidding will begin Thursday night, December 5th, at 5pm and close Sunday, December 8th, at 3pm.

Please use this link to register your nonprofit organization as a participant at the Chistkindlmarket Des Moines Silent Auction tree decorating. Once the form has been submitted, additional information will be sent via email.

If you have any questions, contact Missy Mootz at [email protected].

** Cut trees are not perfect and will have a tendency to lean. We have upgraded our stands this year to help with leaning, but they will not always allow for the optimal display of the tree. We will present the trees in the most positive way given our circumstances. Please manage your expectations accordingly.

BySuzanne Hull

‘Twas the Night Before #CDM2019

Be one of the first to experience Christkindlmarket Des Moines 2019 during this private, ticketed preview party at Principal Park, on Thursday, December 5, 2019 from 5 – 9pm.

Get Tickets Now!

This event grants you exclusive access to the market before it officially opens to the public.

Be one of the first to get your 2019 commemorative mug, meet and mingle with select vendors and get a head start on your holiday shopping.

Pick from two ticket packages:

VIP guests:

  • Enjoy a sit down, authentic German holiday buffet dinner in Yuletide Hall, our heated, outdoor entertainment venue with performances by DSM Dueling Fiddles and Barefoot Becky & the Ivanhoe Dutchmen.
  • Buffet dinner will include: reuben bites, pretzel bites, green salad with German pickles, beef rouladen with roasted brussel sprouts, carrots and new potatoes, pork schnitzel with mushroom cream sauce, Käsespätzle and red cabbage with apples.
  • Receive two drink coupons for European beer, warm, mulled Glühwein (don’t forget the amaretto, orange liqueur and apple liqueur add-ins!), Kinderpunsch (non-alcoholic mulled cider) or assorted sodas.
  • Receive a gift bag featuring hand-selected items from our vendors and partners.
  • Guaranteed free parking
  • One 2019 commemorative Glühwein mug

General Admission guests:

  • Receive one entree, one dessert, and two drink coupons valid at all Christkindlmarket Des Moines food and drink vendors.
  • Additional food and drink items may be purchased from vendors throughout the evening.
  • Guaranteed free parking
  • One 2019 commemorative mug

For guests with families, we offer a special Kid’s Package:

  • One entrée and one drink coupon.
  • One 2019 commemorative mug.

Please Note: The Kid’s Package is only valid for children 10 years of age or younger. (Children 0-4 years of age are free.) Children must be accompanied by a parent or guardian at all times.

Event details:

  • 5:00 pm – Doors open – Enter venue from the north side of the Main Lot only
  • 5:30 pm – VIP dinner begins with entertainment in Yuletide Hall
  • 8:30 pm – Buffet closes

A limited number of VIP tickets are available for purchase. Tickets are non-transferable, and all ticket purchases are final at time of purchase. Buy your tickets TODAY before they sell out!

We look forward to celebrating the 4th Annual Christkindlmarket Des Moines with you at our 2019 Preview Event!

BySuzanne Hull

#CDM2019 Hotels

This year, we are pleased to work with the following hotels. Located near Principal Park, these properties are perfect for guests visiting Christkindlmarket Des Moines.

Staybridge Suites Des Moines Downtown (Studio King Suite: $119)

201 E Locust St, Des Moines, IA 50309

Book your group rate for Christkindlmarket Des Moines by calling 515-280-3828 or 877-238-8898 and requesting the group rate for “Christkindlmarket”

Cutoff Date: November 5, 2019

Amenities


Hyatt Place Des Moines Downtown (King w/ sofa sleeper pullout: $104, Double Queen: $109)

418 6th Ave, Des Moines, IA 50309

Book your group rate for Christkindlmarket Des Moines by calling 800-993-2451 and requesting the group rate for “Christkindlmarket Des Moines”

Cutoff Date: November 7, 2019 5pm CST

Amenities

  • Complimentary Wi-Fi throughout the hotel
  • Complimentary use of the fitness center including the indoor pool
  • Complimentary shuttle to/from the airport as well as a 3-mile radius of the hotel
  • Complimentary breakfast

Hampton Inn & Suites by Hilton (Single King: $134, Double Queen: $139

120 SW Water St, Des Moines, IA 50309

Book your group rate for Christkindlmarket Des Moines by calling 515-244-1650 and requesting the group rate for “Christkindlmarket Des Moines”

Cutoff Date: November 14, 2019

Amenities


Holiday Inn Express & Suites (King Standard: $139, Double Queen: $139

333 SW 11th St, Des Moines, IA 50309

Book your group rate for Christkindlmarket Des Moines by calling 800-HOLIDAY and requesting the group rate for “Christkindlmarket Des Moines”

Cutoff Date: November 5, 2019, 3pm CST

Amenities

BySuzanne Hull

Gail’s Photography & Designs | 2019 In-Kind Sponsor

As we continue to host Des Moines European Heritage Association programs and get ready to produce Christkindlmarket Des Moines 2019, we’re finding a lot of memorable moments along the way. We’re grateful to have Gail’s Photography and Designs to capture those for us as our 2019 Photography Sponsor.

Gail retired from Lifetouch Portrait Studios in June 2014. The next month, she opened her own photography business. Her subjects are usually children and families. She also designs word art that are offered in metal or in print. Her favorite part of her job is seeing families enjoying themselves and capturing moments for them to keep for generations.

Gail is looking forward to looking at the unique gifts that are offered. Her involvement with Christkindlmarket Des Moines was inspired by her Italian heritage and passion for learning about other cultures.

“I believe that learning about and understanding what other cultures have to offer is essential in our society,” Gail said.

She also encourages people interested in European heritage to get involved with Des Moines European Heritage Association and Christkindlmarket Des Moines.

“There’s great connections to be made and everyone brings something special to it that only they can give.”

Take a look at Gail’s Facebook Fan Page to see her great work. You’ll see Gail at all of our 2019 programs as well!

Thank you, Gail, for your support!

Gail's Photography & Design
BySuzanne Hull

2019 Call for Performers

Des Moines European Heritage Association invites you to become a performer at the 4th Annual Christkindlmarket Des Moines taking place December 6 – 8, 2019 at Principal Park.

In its first three years, this cultural experience has attracted over 95,000 visitors.

If you have applied in the past, but were not accepted, we encourage you to complete an application each year. The programming committee takes several factors into consideration when choosing the slate of performers each year.

Performances typically seen at Christkindlmarkets include (but are not limited to): European folk music players, European folk music singers, yodeling, guitarist, accordionist, clogging, folk dancers, Scottish pipes & drums, high school choirs, children’s choirs, violinists, bell choirs, church choirs, story-tellers, brass bands, alpine horn blowers, marionette/ puppeteer, Schuhplattler Verein, vocal performances in European languages, harpists, etc. We will provide a four-sided, forced-air heated tent at a location to be determined by Christkindlmarket Des Moines event planning committee in Principal Park’s Main Lot. A lighted stage within the tent will be provided. The size of the stage in 2018 was 30’ x 16’.

Our performer guide will give you an overview of the needs assessment process and requirements. As soon as you fill out the needs assessment, it will be reviewed.

What is the timeline for the process?

  1. Fill out the online needs assessment no later than March 15, 2019
  2. Send photographs representing you or your group to – [email protected]
  3. Receive feedback from Christkindlmarket Des Moines staff by April 15, 2019
2019 Performer Information Guide
Complete the 2019 Performer Needs Assessment
BySuzanne Hull

Darcy Hines Designs | 2019 In-Kind Sponsor

Creative Sponsor Darcy Hines Designs is back again to help visually present Christkindlmarket Des Moines to our community. You may have seen her work last year in the promotional flyers, posters and signage at the event.

Darcy Hines Designs Logo

Darcy Hines is the owner and graphic designer at Darcy Hines Designs. Her work focuses on typography and a clean style. She enjoys working with clients who allow her to be creative with her design choices. She often works on creating brand standards and stationary.

According to Darcy, she was motivated  to get involved by the unique nature of our event.

“I love the idea of bringing such a festive and creative event to Des Moines in the months where people are normally bundled up in their houses. I think it’s a great opportunity to bring people together as families, offer them a chance to experience a culture they normally wouldn’t be able to, and breathe some light into those cold winter months with hot cider and hand-made Christmas gifts.”

Thank you for your work, Darcy!

Des Moines European Heritage Association connects Iowans with European traditions, language education and cultural experiences; and it provides resources and tools to other cultural heritage organizations.

Support[1]
BySuzanne Hull

Carpenters Local 106 | 2019 In-Kind Sponsor

The organizers of Christkindlmarket Des Moines are proud to partner with Carpenters Local 106. Fabricated by Waukee and Johnston High Schools and stored at Centennial Warehouse, Carpenters Local 106 will again help us set up our wooden vendor stalls at Christkindlmarket Des Moines. The following is from the Carpenters Local 106:

Why is this partnership Important:

Carpenters Local 106 has been a part of Des Moines Heritage for over 120 years. As Local 106 members, we strive to offer our skills to help build up the city and people of Des Moines. Many of our members have varying heritages and backgrounds including European heritage. Which they also value to continue their traditions.

How is Carpenters 106 involved in our communities:

Our members are very involved in the community in varies ways. Whether it be from coaching our kid’s sports teams or being a PTA member at their schools, or working closely with our church groups. As an organization we offer scholarships, donate to Toys-For-Tots, sponsor Jolly Holiday Lights and Iowa Heart are a few. Any opportunity we can to show off our specific skills and help with community projects like handy cap ramps or just helping out a friend or neighbor you can count on us.

Things people don’t know about Unions:

We are dedicated and fight to make sure the working class is protected, safe and getting what they deserve. Unions have provided very long and reliable sustaining careers, pensions and health benefits for so many people, for many of years. We value productivity, safety and craftsmanship. Our priority is education and providing it at no cost to our members.


Des Moines European Heritage Association connects Iowans with European traditions, language education and cultural experiences; and it provides resources and tools to other cultural heritage organizations.

Support[1]
BySuzanne Hull

Grand View University – In-Kind 2019 Sponsor

Grand View University provides meeting space for all Des Moines European Heritage Association and Christkindlmarket Des Moines meetings. This has been a great help to our organization. We love and appreciate all of our sponsors, but would like to tell you a little bit more about Grand View University.

Grand View University has public meeting space available. If you would like to schedule an event or meeting, they would be pleased to host you. They have classrooms, meeting rooms, performances areas, and other rooms available for use to support the community and its events when not serving the University’s events.

As well as available space to rent, they have a professional caterer on-site. If your event needs those accommodations, they have an additional form you can fill out to request this service. They also have a new Student Center which allows for expanded dining, performance, and meeting facilities.

If you would like to book their public space directly from this page, here are a few hyperlinks that lead to their facility request forms. We hope you enjoy their public space as much as we do!

Viking Theatre Request (capacity = 204)

Facility Reservation Form

Catering Event Request Form

Image result for grand view university meeting space

Des Moines European Heritage Association connects Iowans with European traditions, language education and cultural experiences; and it provides resources and tools to other cultural heritage organizations.

Support[1]