2021 Christkindlmarket Des Moines Christkind Application
Welcome! We appreciate your interest in applying to be the 2021 Christkind at Christkindlmarket Des Moines (CDM) taking place December 2 – 5, 2021 at Principal Park. Please complete the 2021 application PRIOR to your interview. You will receive a confirmation email with additional details upon successful application submission. Learn more about the Christkind and its history.
IMPORTANT DATES:
• Application Deadline: September 15, 2021
• Interviews Held: Week of September 23, 2021
• 2021 Christkind Announcement: October 1, 2021
To Apply
- Register and complete this official online application
- Please email video of applicant reading opening ceremony proclamation to christkindlmarketdsm@gmail.com
- Please email headshot of applicant to christkindlmarketdsm@gmail.com
Note: CDM will provide the costume, wig and accessories; Christkind can wear their own shoes.
To be eligible to be the 2021 Christkind, all of the following criteria must be met:
Must be at least 16 years of age by December 31, 2021, and no more than 22 years of age before January 5, 2022
A resident of Iowa (or attending an Iowa-based school/university) able to provide verification of residence and/or enrollment
A student in high school or enrolled as a full-time student (minimum 12 units) in any accredited school or college in Iowa
Possess at least a 2.0 grade point average in both the current and previous years’ course work and able to provide verification
Available to participate in-person or via video during scheduled interview
Must be able to memorize and recite opening ceremony proclamation in front of 2,500 people without visual or auditory aid
Must enjoy working with others and talking with the public, including children of all ages
Must be able to provide own transportation to and from appearances
Available to attend the following functions/appearances as the 2021 Christkind
5:30pm – 7:30pm, December 3, 2021 | Opening Ceremony
2pm – 4pm, December 4, 2021 | CDM appearance
2pm – 4pm, December 5, 2021 | CDM appearance
Please fill out and submit this application; all fields with red asterisks (*) are required.
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.
#CDM2021 Vendor Announcement
Christkindlmarket Des Moines 2021 Food & Beverage Vendors
An der Weihnachtsecke, Des Moines, IA
Shop the Christkindlmarket Des Moines store for your favorite European treats.
Offering: Advent calendars, truffles, Irish whisky fudge, Mozart kugeln, marzipan, liquor-filled chocolate, assorted holiday cookies, limited-edition Toblerone, Lebkuchen, stollen, stroopwafeln, clotted cream, shortbread, tea, Swedish lingonberry jam, German mustard and German honey
Price Range: $3 – $38
Pre-Sale: Bottles of Glühwein, 2021 Glühwein commemorative mugs, select food items. URL to our online store will be provided as we get closer to the event.
Glühwein and Kinderpunsch, Des Moines, IA
Support Des Moines European Heritage Association, the non-profit that produces Christkindlmarket Des Moines, with the purchase of warm traditional Christkindlmarket beverages:
Glühwein (“glow-wine”, from the hot irons once used for mulling) is prepared from red wine, heated and spiced with cinnamon sticks, cloves, star aniseed, citrus, sugar and at times vanilla pods.
Kinderpunsch is a warm beverage made from cranberry juice, apple cider, brown sugar and mulling spices.
Offering: Glühwein, Kinderpunsch, various liquor add-ins
Price Range: $2 – $6
Pre-Sale: Bottles of Glühwein, 2021 Glühwein commemorative mugs, select food items. URL to our online store will be provided as we get closer to the event.
European Imports and Iowa Craft Beer, Des Moines, IA
Support Des Moines European Heritage Association, the non-profit that produces Christkindlmarket Des Moines, with the purchase of various European Imports and Iowa Craft Beers. MENU CHANGES DAILY!
Offering: European imports and Iowa Craft Beers
Price Range: $6 – $7
Bratwurst Imbiss am Markt, Des Moines, IA
Support Des Moines European Heritage Association, the non-profit that produces Christkindlmarket Des Moines, with the purchase of a German-style Usinger Brat.
Offering: Usinger brats
Price Range: $5
The Kringle Man, Elk Horn, IA
The Kringle Man creates a light and flaky Danish Kringle using a puff pastry dough that is folded and buttered 81 times to give you a mouth watering experience. We add Almond Paste sweetly prepared and different fruits blended together to create an flavor explosion of sweet and flaky. A must have for coffee or ice cream or anytime.
Offering: Danish Kringle (2 sizes), Danish Letter, Cream Horns, Krispies, Danish Pastry
Price Range: $6 – $15
Sugarplums Cakes and Confections, Altoona, IA
During the holiday season, Sugarplums specializes in made from scratch, traditional, German cookies and baked goods. Try our Lebkuchen, Pfeffernuss, Springerle, Stollen, Spritz, Sentiment Hearts, Sugar Cookies and Cupcakes.
Offering: Gingerbread: Sentiment Hearts, Lebkuchen, Pfeffernuss, Springerle, Stollen, Scotch-a-roo Santa’s, cupcakes, Spritz, decorated sugar cookies, decorated Gingerbread houses, possibly some gingerbread themed Christmas ornaments.
Price Range: $4 – $30
Pickle Creek Herbs, Fairfield, IA
At Pickle Creek, we use the herbs we grow on our sustainable Iowa farm to handcraft artisanal olive oils and vinegars, soaps, salves, and balms using our own original recipes.
Offering: Herb-infused olive oils and vinegars (including the Apple Strudel White Balsamic we created especially for this event and the Prairie Fire olive oil that earned the 2019 1st Place Scovie Award for a Chile Oil), 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 -$25
Pre-Sale: www.picklecreek.com/shop
Danish Windmill, Elk Horn, IA
Step back in time to our little Danish Christmas Market booth that will feature “Keepsakes for a Lifetime”. Experience a piece of Denmark close to home.
Offering: Scandinavia, Nordic and made in Denmark Christmas gift items such as Gnomes, Nisse, Elves, straw Ornaments, Cookware and prepackaged foods and glogg.
Price Range: $1 – $350
Pre-Sale: www.Danishwindmill.com, 712-764-7472, sales@danishwindmill.com
L&L European Delight, Chariton, IA
Ukrainian style food and gifts
Offering: Perogies, Pelmenie, cabbage Rools,Chebureckie, candys, honey, poppyseed/sweet rolls,gift items.
Price Range: $4 – $20
Ruhland’s Strudel Haus, St. Paul, MN
Handmade, sweet and savory strudel
Offering: Sweet Strudel: Apple, Strawberry Rhubarb, Tart Cherry, Raspberry Almond Cream Cheese, Blueberry Lemon. SAVORY STRUDEL: Spinach Feta Artichoke Heart, Reuben, Chicken Pot Pie, Mushroom Medley with Goat Cheese, Italian Stallion.
Price Range: $3 – $9
Pre-Sale: thomas@thestrudelhaus.com
Top of the Hill Nuts, Grinnell, IA
Roasting on sight almonds, cashews, and pecans with cinnamon or maple flavoring.
Offering: Cinnamon roasted nuts
Price Range: Small $5, large $8
Pre-Sale: 641-990-2005, glincoln49@gmail.com
Fritz Toffee Company, Ames, IA
Handcrafted Gourmet Toffee
Offering: Toffee, Toffee Popcorn, Toffee Coated Carmel Apples
Price Range: $4 – $75
Christkindlmarket Des Moines 2021 Gift and Specialty Item Vendors
An der Weihnachtsecke, Des Moines, IA
Shop the Christkindlmarket Des Moines store for your favorite European treasures.
Offering: Steinbach nutcrackers, INGE ornaments, beer steins and glassware, Herrnhuter Moravian stars, commemorative Glühwein mugs, Christkindlmarket Des Moines merchandise,
Price Range: $5 – $350
Pre-Sale: Bottles of Glühwein, 2021 Glühwein commemorative mugs, select food items. URL to our online store will be provided as we get closer to the event.
Dakota Tinworks, Estelline, SD
Dakota Tinworks is a family-owned business dedicated to making and selling traditional tinware, ornaments, and other Christmas-themed decorations in tin and copper, hand-made exclusively by tinsmith Karl-Josef Schmidt, using primarily antique, 19th century tinsmith’s tools and techniques.
Offering: Handmade tinware and copperware of various kinds: tin and copper Christmas ornaments, tin and copper tree tinsel, tin tree toppers, tin cookie cutters, tin biscuit cutters, tin candle holders, pierced tin candle covers, tin candle sconces, tin cups, earrings using tinplate and copper, and tin candle lanterns. Also tin photo frames. Selected ornaments made from brushed aluminum (similar to the ones from from tinplate, but in sheet aluminum).
Price Range: $6 – $450
Pre-Sale: karl@dakotatinworks.com (Pre-sale customers can contact me about products they wish to buy, I can send them a PayPal invoice to pay online, and then they can pick up their pre-paid order at CDM 2021 in person. Customers who do not pick up their orders at CDM 2021 will be billed for shipping and their order will be sent via USPS once shipping payment has been received).
DamonLayne Woodworking, Earlham, IA
DamonLayne Woodworking provides beautiful, handmade woodworking for your home or kitchen. Each item is eye-catching and will be a unique focal point in your home.
Offering: Woodworking: including cutting boards, Springerle molds, charcuterie boards, cribbage boards, lazy susans
Price Range: $35 – $225
The Permanent Collection Letterpress, Des Moines, IA
Artisan Hand-printed letterpress products made in Des Moines, Iowa.
Offering: Letterpress cards, art prints, cut-out paper prints of holiday trees, holiday cards, holiday paper letterpress coasters, holiday stationery, tote bags with holiday themes
Price Range: $5-50
Pre-Sale: www.thepermanentcollection.net
DSM Foundry, Des Moines, IA
DSM Foundry offers traditional German, art deco, and other styles of holiday decor made with modern technology.
Offering: Ornaments, Schwiboogen, decorative lanterns, wooden maps and Iowa themed small decor
Price Range: $2 – $100
Pre-Sale: https://www.dsmfoundry.com/
Three In One Artworks, Urbandale, IA
Three In One Artworks offers unique handcrafted, ceramic mugs, trays and ornaments featuring Iowa agriculture, Iowa history and Celtic themes, all perfect for gift giving!
Offering: Christmas ornaments, mugs, plates and trays, vases and bowls.
Price Range: $10 – $125
Pre-Sale: www.threeinoneartworks.com. jmorganbailey@gmail.com. text: 515-979-0238
Nymph In The Woods, Boone, IA
Wearable art to help you show off your style! Handmade from fused glass and wire wrapping, each piece is unique. Perfect as a gift to a loved one or yourself!
Offering: Wearable art made from fused glass and wire wrapping – Necklaces, earrings, rings, bracelets, and circlets.
Price Range: $15 – 300+
Pre-Sale: www.nymphglassjewelry.com
Quilted Gardens Nursery, Des Moines, IA
Specializing in fresh made wreaths and greens bundles, seasonal decor, Iowa made leather bells and straps, glass bird and Fair trade gourd ornaments.
Offering: Fresh made wreaths and Bundles of greens, Glass Christmas Ornaments, Iowa-made leather sleigh and Door Bells, Fair trade gourd ornaments and boxes, Straw ornaments, Ice Globe kits, Holiday optic Specs, Table top Christmas trees
Price Range: $2 – 75
Pre-Sale: www.quiltedgardens.com
Danish Windmill, Elk Horn, IA
Step back in time to our little Danish Christmas Market booth that will feature “Keepsakes for a Lifetime”. Experience a piece of Denmark close to home.
Offering: Scandinavia, Nordic and made in Denmark Christmas gift items such as Gnomes, Nisse, Elves, straw Ornaments, Cookware and prepackaged foods and glogg.
Price Range: $1 – $350
Pre-Sale: www.anishwindmill.com, 712-764-7472, sales@danishwindmill.com
Schanz Furniture, South Amana, IA
Schanz Furniture is a family owned business that has been making hand-made furniture and gift items for over 50 years. We are located in South Amana, Iowa.
Offering: Hand-made (Set of 3) Spalted Maple Christmas Trees & our Hand-made Multi-wood Christmas Trees in various sizes.
Price Range: $20 -$150
Pre-Sale: www.schanzfurniture.com 319-622-3529 mike.s@schanzfurniture.com
TeaGschwendner, Chicago, IL
Explore the world of tea with TeaGschwendner. A local retailer locally owned and operated by Tea Sommelier. With over 300 teas to offer you will find your favorite holiday tea. A Christmas tea is a must to try.
Offering: Loose leaf tea and tea ware, German honey
Price Range: $5 – 100
Pre-Sale: www.tgtea.com
Winterborn Alpaca, High River, AB, Canada
Winterborn Alpaca designs winter wear derived from premium alpaca fleece.
Offering: Hand-woven alpaca scarves, socks, mittens, beanies, and alpaca stuffies.
Price Range: $20 – $85
Pre-Sale: www.winterbornalpaca.com
Pickle Creek Herbs, Fairfield, IA
At Pickle Creek, we use the herbs we grow on our sustainable Iowa farm to handcraft artisanal olive oils and vinegars, soaps, salves, and balms using our own original recipes.
Offering: Herb-infused olive oils and vinegars (including the Apple Strudel White Balsamic we created especially for this event and the Prairie Fire olive oil that earned the 2019 1st Place Scovie Award for a Chile Oil), 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 – $25
Pre-Sale: www.picklecreek.com/shop
Pam Hyde Pottery, Des Moines, IA
Handmade pottery for everyday use. Thrown, glazed and fired in my home studio. Mugs, bowls, plates, spoon rests, utensil holders, vases, butter keepers, pour overs, votive candle holders, and, of course, ornaments!
Offering: Mugs, bowls, yarn bowls, butter keepers, spoon rests, utensil holders, garlic grater plates, vases, ornaments, votive candle holders, coffee pour overs.
Price Range: $8 – $80
Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs awards $2.3 million
More than 200 Iowa organizations and individuals working in arts and culture, film and media, and history and historic preservation will receive a boost from $2.3 million in grant awards announced recently by the Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs.
In response to the pandemic, the Iowa Arts Council consolidated some of its previous grant programs into a new Iowa Arts & Cultural Resilience Grant program to give individuals and organizations more flexibility. Des Moines European Heritage Association is a proud recipient of this grant. This year, the Iowa Arts Council awarded $1,632,495 in grants to 192 projects across the state.
The grants are funded through the annual appropriations passed by the Iowa Legislature and signed into law by Governor Reynolds, effective July 1, 2021. The state’s investment is enhanced by funding from two federal agencies, the National Endowment for the Arts and the National Endowment for the Humanities, and administered by the department’s three divisions: the Iowa Arts Council, State Historical Society of Iowa and Produce Iowa, the state office of film and media production.
“The annual funding has never been more important than this year’s investment, which will help fuel the resurgence of Iowa’s arts, film, heritage, humanities and creative sectors,” Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs Director Chris Kramer said. “Audiences and visitors are eagerly returning to museums and historic sites, concerts and cultural festivals this summer, even as our industry continues to rebound from substantial financial losses from the pandemic.”
In this round, the department made 244 grant awards for community initiatives and creative projects across the state, arts and cultural organizations, individual artists and filmmakers and historic preservation efforts in 46 counties and 71 communities.
Eisenlauer Team, Re/Max Revolution | 2021 Hut Sponsor
Many thanks to Eisenlauer Team, Re/Max Revolution for their support of Christkindlmarket Des Moines 2021.
They understand that finding a home can be hard. That’s why it’s important to have some of the best Realtors in Des Moines on your side.
When it comes to buying or selling a property, Eisenlauer Team is the name you can trust. They strive to be the best Realtors in Des Moines, delivering unmatched excellence and customer satisfaction.
Whether you are a first-time home buyer, seasoned seller, or somewhere in the middle – they gear their services to your specific needs. When buying or selling real estate, you deserve the best service for the best price. They know that moving can be both exciting and unnerving at the same time. Being leading Realtors in Des Moines, they are determined to make the process as fun and as smooth as possible.
While the average person buys or sells once every 8-10 years, they do it on a daily basis. So allow their experienced Des Moines area Realtors to assist you through the process from beginning to end. There are over 25 different contacts to coordinate during the transaction process, (more or less depending on the property). They’ll make those contacts and keep you informed along the way.
Iowa State Bank | 2021 Bronze Sponsor
We’re excited to announce Iowa State Bank’s support of Christkindlmarket Des Moines 2021.
Iowa State Bank is proud to have called Des Moines home for 80 years. They have five metro banking locations, along with Investment and Trust Departments providing strong wealth management services. Although some things have changed since they opened their doors in 1941, some things never will: the bank’s commitment to this community and giving their customers the best possible banking experience.
Gilcrest/Jewett Lumber Co | 2021 Bronze Sponsor
Ever wonder how those cute wooden vendor huts arrive at Principal Park? Special thanks to the team at Gilcrest/Jewett Lumber Company‘s Waukee location for transporting our huts to the venue and returning them to storage year after year.
Founded in 1856, Gilcrest/Jewett Lumber Company is dedicated to providing its customers with quality, consistency, value, innovation and style.
For over 150 years, their MISSION has been to succeed through unwavering focus on the success of their customers in central and eastern Iowa. They accomplish their mission by supplying customers with top-quality, high-value building products and unparalleled service. They strive to apply the highest standards of integrity to their daily business and to provide a positive, ethical working environment for their employees. Succeeding in this quest for excellence requires every employee to help create a safe, enjoyable and productive work environment.
Greater Iowa Credit Union | 2021 Hut Sponsor
Many thanks to Greater Iowa Credit Union for their support of Christkindlmarket Des Moines 2021.
Greater Iowa Credit Union is a federally insured, state-chartered community credit union with nine branch locations in Ames, Ankeny, Des Moines, Waukee, Denison, and Indianola! GICU is an ever-growing, member-owned, not-for-profit financial cooperative with assets of $624 million.
The GICU story began with just nine people in June of 1932. Over the years, they have grown exponentially from humble beginnings. Today, they serve 33,900+ members throughout a 33-county area in Central and Western Iowa with a staff base of over one hundred twenty.
Lamberti, Gocke & Luetje, P.C. | Silver Sponsor
Many thanks to the Lamberti, Gocke & Luetje, P.C. law firm in Ankeny for their support of Christkindlmarket Des Moines 2021.
LGL values being a part of their community and welcomes the opportunity to support their office family in their interests. Christkindlmarket Des Moines is an event that their employee Erin Baldwin is actively involved in and passionate about and they are happy to be a part of the event.
Their firm has been serving the law needs of businesses and individuals in Ankeny and throughout Iowa for over 20 years. Whether you are starting a business, changing custody agreements or getting your affairs in order, an expert at Ankeny Law will be at your service.
Hessen Haus | 2021 Bronze and Hut Sponsor
We’re pleased to include Hessen Haus among our family of 2021 sponsors!
The Hessen Haus perfectly recreates the authentic atmosphere of an old-world German bier hall. The twenty-one imported German biers on tap, authentic German fare on the menu, and sounds of live music on the stage – including local bands and regional polka – create a lively yet cozy atmosphere where large crowds gather to pass the boot and small groups find themselves making new friends.
A combination of a state in west-central Germany and the German word for house, the name Hessen Haus was chosen for its authentic origins and welcoming feel. The state of Hessen which the bier hall is named for plays home to more than six million inhabitants – which are referred to as Hesses if male or Hessins if female. In English, occupants are known as Hessians – a term affectionately applied to our more frequent visitors to the restaurant.