Author Archive Suzanne Hull

BySuzanne Hull

Quilted Gardens Nursery | #CDM2021 Vendor

Tell us about your business

Quilted Gardens Nursery is an independent specialty nursery located south of Indianola, IA. Not only do we carry unique unusual plants and trees, we are also a Christmas tree farm, known for fresh on-site made wreaths and greens and trees. At Christmas time we specialize in glass and Fair-trade ornaments, leather door bells and straps and unique gifts not just for the gardener but everyone on your list.

What inspired you to get involved as a vendor at Christkindlmarket Des Moines 2021?

The unique aspect of the European Christmas Market inspired us to want to be a part of it.

What products will you be selling at Christkindlmarket Des Moines 2021 and why did you choose them?

We provide fresh made wreaths and bundles of mixed greens grown on our farm, Iowa-made leather sleigh bells and hanging door bells, fine blown glass bird and other ornaments (over 20 different bird ornaments) and Fair-trade Peruvian gourd ornaments.

Anything else you’d like to share?

We really enjoy the festival atmosphere of Christkindlmarket Des Moines. It makes Winter a really awesome time of year.

BySuzanne Hull

Creative Choice Solutions | 2021 Platinum Sponsor

We’re pleased to have Choice Creative Solutions as a member of our team as a Platinum Sponsor.

Choice Creative Solutions is the brainchild of the group behind the marketing wheel at Community Choice Credit Union (CCCU) in Des Moines, IA. After over a decade of proven success and awards of recognition for raising the awareness/success level for CCCU and pushing the marketing boundaries for a financial institution, it seemed logical to work with other businesses to help them achieve success.

BySuzanne Hull

Bravo Greater Des Moines Arts and Culture Program Grant Recipient

The organizers of Christkindlmarket Des Moines are pleased to announce the receipt of a Bravo Greater Des Moines Arts and Culture Program Grant. These funds will be used to support the production of the 6th annual Christkindlmarket Des Moines taking place December 2 – 5 at Principal Park.

Bravo Greater Des Moines leverages community resources to maximize the impact of arts, culture and heritage to advance regional priorities. Since 2006, Bravo has awarded more than 1,000 grants to more than 100 arts, culture and heritage organizations and programs totaling more than $45 million. Bravo is almost entirely funded through Hotel/Motel taxes.

BySuzanne Hull

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.

BySuzanne Hull

TeaGschwendner | #CDM2021 Vendor

Tell us about your business

TeaGschwendner is a world leader in high quality loose leaf teas, based on EU standards, and US location owned and operated by local tea sommelier.

What inspired you to get involved as a vendor at Christkindlmarket Des Moines 2021?

We love the Christmas season, and our Christmas collection reflects the family holiday tradition of Christkindlmarkets

What products will you be selling at Christkindlmarket Des Moines 2021 and why did you choose them?

Of course the Christmas collection along with the most wanted Tea Advent Calendar

Anything else you’d like to share?

Only .002 % of worldwide tea supply is good enough to be included in our collection

BySuzanne Hull

CDM At The Beaverdale Farmers Market

Come see us at the Beaverdale Farmers Market August 17 from 4 – 7pm!

48th St & Franklin Ave

BySuzanne Hull

The Kringle Man | #CDM2021 Vendor

Tell us about your business:

We have been in business since 2015, but have only started Kringle and Danish baking since 2018.  I am a retired school teacher that was looking to fill some time and it has turned into a full time business with the unique Danish Baking products that I have been marketing.  I enjoy the time in the bakery, but really I do this to meet new people and attend shows such as Christkindlemarket Des Moines.  We have attended shows in 6 different states with 2 more new states this year on our schedule.  The recipes are a combination of Danish Grandmothers sharing with me and searching old cook books and the internet to create the product that I market. 

What inspired you to get involved as a vendor at Christkindlmarket Des Moines 2021?

We were involved with Christkindlmarket Des Moines in 2019 and it exceeded our wildest expectations.  Des Moines has always been a strong market for us, but this was amazing.  The atmosphere and the different European cultures represented allowed for a great time by all participants, vendor’s and attendees.  It was as the Dane’s say a Hygge time: (pronounced hoo·guh). Hygge is about preserving happiness everyday. It is about slowing down, being humble, expressing gratitude, feeling safe and connecting with loved ones. Who wouldn’t want to spend a weekend with friends at Christkindlmarket Des Moines?

What products will you be selling at Christkindlmarket Des Moines 2021 and why did you choose them?

My newest creation is the Danish Pastry made with the puff pastry dough for that light and flaky experience while enjoying a generous serving of fruit sprinkled with baker’s sugar and drizzled with a sweet white and glossy icing.


Hot out of the oven the Danish Letter.  A generous serving of Almond Paste wrapped in the puff pastry dough, topped with baker’s sugar and baked to perfection.  A perfect companion to a great cup of coffee. 


Ready for packaging.  The Cream Horn is filled with my own creation of sweetness to drive any connoisseur of the puff pastry covered in baker’s sugar and baked to a golden color crazy.


The Apple Kringle shows all the lite and flaky layers of goodness surrounded by air pockets of joy.  The generous serving of Almond Paste blended with the fruit and covered with Almond Slivers and baker’s sugar is a treat anytime of the day.


The Kringle comes in two different sizes: Family size of 5 inches by 15 inches or the couple size of 3 3/4 inches by 10 inches. Don’t be afraid to get the bigger size as all my products freeze amazingly so you can enjoy some now and some later with coffee and family or friends.


We also have a topping of cream cheese icing that is out of this world good.

BySuzanne Hull

CDM 2021 Silent Auction Tree Participation

CDM 2021 Silent Auction Tree Participation

As a part of the Christkindlmarket Des Moines (www.christkindlmarketdsm.com), we are welcoming back a unique fundraising opportunity for nonprofit organizations.

We will have 15 – six to eight foot cut trees* available for decoration that will be displayed outside during the market and sold via a silent auction. The organization that decorates the tree will receive the funds earned from Des Moines European Heritage Association following the event and minimum bids will start at $65.

Individual organizations are responsible for all tree decorations including lights (if you choose to use them). All items used on the tree will be given to the winning bidder. Please make sure decorations are able to withstand the temperamental Iowa weather (snow, sleet, rain, and/or wind). We will do our best to protect what we can, but the trees will remain outside and for the duration of Christkindlmarket Des Moines.

Tree decorating will take place before the event on Wednesday, December 1st.

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 mkmootz@gmail.com.

* Cut trees are not perfect and will have a tendency to lean. We will present the trees in the most positive way given our circumstances. Please manage your expectations accordingly.

BySuzanne Hull

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.

Get your tickets now!

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:

  1. A reserved 8-person table in Yuletide Hall, our heated entertainment tent at Christkindlmarket Des Moines (CDM)
  2. 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
  3. A 2021 commemorative Glühwein mug OR CDM pint glass PER PERSON
  4. 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.

BySuzanne Hull

DamonLayne Woodworking | #CDM2021 Vendor

Tell us about your business:

DamonLayne Woodworking is an Iowa business located in Earlham. For the past 8 years, I have spent my free time working from a renovated Madison County, one-room schoolhouse to create beautifully designed items for your home. My woodworking products include cutting boards, cheese slicers, and amazing cribbage boards.

What inspired you to get involved as a vendor at Christkindlmarket Des Moines 2021?

I am excited to be a part of Christkindlmarket Des Moines because it displays the unique European holiday traditions and one-of-a-kind, handmade gifts. Talented artisans will be displaying their creations while families stroll along, listening to music, sampling the food, and sipping warm mulled wine. This is an amazing holiday event to have in Des Moines.

What products will you be selling at Christkindlmarket Des Moines 2021 and why did you choose them?

My products for this year’s Christkindlmarket Des Moines include charcuterie boards, cribbage boards, cutting boards, and cheese slicers. These handmade items make a wonderful addition to any holiday baskets.

Anything else you’d like to share?

I am happy to be a part of this magnificent event for a third year. The little vendor huts, the amazing people, the wonderful smell of food, and the lively polka music are sure to make this event a holiday tradition for every family.