Meet CDM Lead Volunteer Missy Mootz
Tell us about yourself: I was born and raised in western Iowa and attended The University of Iowa where I met my husband. In our 12 years of marriage we have lived in Minneapolis, Zürich, Switzerland, Des Moines, and now, currently reside in Ankeny. We have 3 children ages 6, 4 and 1, whom I entertain, chauffeur, and feed…all day long!
When and why did you become involved with Christkindlmarket Des Moines: I became involved with CDM in April of 2016. We had just moved back from Switzerland in 2015, and I saw this as an opportunity to stay connected to many of the things I loved about my time in Europe.
What do you enjoy most about volunteering with Christkindlmarket Des Moines? I love getting together with the other volunteers. We have so much fun together and our European connections are always topics of conversation, which helps keep my Swiss experiences alive.
Why should others volunteer with Christkindlmarket Des Moines? Volunteering with CDM never feels like a responsibility. It’s another reason to get together with a group of friends and have shared fun. There is truly something for everyone!
Why is it important to volunteer? Volunteering is one of the best ways to be and get connected! If you are new to the area or find yourself without much socializing opportunities, volunteering is a great way to meet people, explore your community, and have fun!
Meet CDM Lead Volunteer Margaret Townsend
I’m Margaret Townsend. I’m a retired school teacher, grandmother, gardener and community volunteer. I became involved with Christkindlmarket Des Moines during the initial planning time. Suzanne Hull (Festival Director) was contacting local organizations and since I belonged to both the Sons of Norway and the Danish Brotherhood one call was to me.
I met with her and a small group of other interested people to see if there was community interest.
I enjoy working with this dedicated group of young adults. This group is innovative, energetic, and welcoming. You will get a feeling of fulfillment if you join this group. You may even make some new friends.
There is a job that is just made for your set of skills whether you are into carpentry, bar tending, retail sales, scheduling, bookkeeping, music, languages……well you get the idea. (I just thought of a few more: storytelling, dancing, cooking, decorating and dish-washing.)
Watch out this could become addictive!
Centennial Warehousing Corporation | In-Kind Sponsor for 2021
Centennial Warehousing Corporation has graciously agreed to continue to donate storage space for our wooden vendor stalls.
As a non-profit, community partners are extremely important. Many thanks to Centennial Warehousing Corporation!
Centennial Warehousing is a full service logistics company. Services range from a full service warehouse, over the road trucking, regional distribution, and freight brokerage. We have our own fleet of semi-trucks and 53 ft. air ride trailers driven by our own professional drivers.
Green State Credit Union | Annual Hut Sponsor
We’re pleased to welcome GreenState Credit Union as an Annual Hut Sponsor of Christkindlmarket Des Moines 2021.
Organized in 1938, GreenState has grown to be Iowa’s largest credit union and one of the top financial institutions in the United States for returning profits to members in the form of better rates and lower fees. GreenState Credit Union serves over 255,000 members with 24 office locations.
CDM Online Popup Store
ALL FOOD MUST GO! 50% OFF ALL FOOD!
The CDM Online Popup Store will be open Jan. 1 – Jan. 6 at midnight.
If you weren’t able to pick up from Principal Park, we didn’t want you to miss out! Maybe you’ve run out of your sweet treats and Glühwein already. Support a local non-profit while shopping safely from the comfort of your own home. Get co-workers and/or friends/family to place an order with you and receive free delivery to one location with orders over $50!
The CDM Online Popup Store will include:
All products will be available for purchase
50% off European food (prices listed include the 50% discount)
Delivery: For orders over $50, FREE delivery to Altoona, Ankeny, Bondurant, Carlisle, Clive, Des Moines, Grimes, Johnston, Norwalk, Pleasant Hill, Polk City, Saylorville, Urbandale, Waukee, West Des Moines, and Windsor Heights. Choose from Jan. 4, 6, 8.
Pickup: For orders less than $50, pick up from Pleasant Hill, Jan 2 – 8.
- Click on the “Shop Now” button. Once in the CDM Online Popup Store, first time users can submit their information to create an account.
- Returning users can sign in with their username and password.
- After signing in, browse the CDM Online Popup Store products. For items you would like to purchase, add them to your shopping cart.
- ***Pro Tip: Use the “Search for products” search box under “Products” to search by keyword if you know what you’re looking for.
- Click on the Checkout button once you are ready to purchase your items.
- When on the Checkout page, you can view pickup and delivery options.
- You’ll then be asked to submit payment.
- Enjoy!
Christmas Cracker: #CDMCurbside FREE KinderKorner Craft Kits sponsored by MidAmerican Energy Company
Christmas crackers are a traditional favorite in the United Kingdom. Tom Smith, a London sweet maker, came up with the idea after visiting Paris and seeing the French ‘bon bon’ sweets (almonds wrapped in pretty paper). He tried selling sweets like that in England and included a small motto or riddle with the sweet, but they didn’t sell very well.
Legend says that, one night, while Tom was sitting in front of his log fire, he became very interested in the sparks and cracks coming from the fire. Suddenly, he thought what a fun idea it would be, if his sweets and toys could be opened with a crack when their fancy wrappers were pulled apart. In 1861, Tom Smith launched his new line of what he called ‘Bangs of Expectation’!
The Christmas Crackers that are used today are short, cardboard tubes wrapped in colorful paper. There is normally a Cracker next to each plate on the Christmas dinner table. When the crackers are pulled – with a bang! – a colorful party hat, a toy or gift and a festive joke falls out! The party hats look like crowns and it is thought that they symbolize the crowns that might have been worn by the Wise Men.
If you want to get in on this long-standing tradition and many others, visit the CDM Curbside presented by Christkindlmarket Des Moines online marketplace now through Nov. 22nd to place your order and pick up your kits at Principal Park Dec. 3rd – 6th. Due to the generous support of MidAmerican Energy Company, the Kinderkorner will have a variety of FREE children’s craft kits for ages 1 – 12 available to add on to your shopping cart while supplies last.
MidAmerican Energy Company not only provided the means, but they also supplied volunteers to assemble the kits. MidAmerican Energy Company hopes you enjoy the KinderKorner Craft Kits!
MidAmerican Energy Company is an energy company based in Des Moines, Iowa. Its service area includes almost two-thirds of Iowa, as well as portions of Illinois, South Dakota, and Nebraska. In addition to traditional power plants, MidAmerican Energy began investing in green energy generation in 2004.
St. Nicholas Mitre (hat): #CDMCurbside FREE KinderKorner Craft Kits sponsored by MidAmerican Energy Company
The gift giver that travels the world to the delight of boys and girls everywhere is known by many names, and Germany calls him St. Nicholas. St. Nicholas was an actual person born in present-day Turkey. He lost his parents at a young age and used his inheritance to help the sick and the poor with a special focus on children. As a devout Christian, he later served as the bishop of Myra.
He is believed to have passed away on December 6th, which is celebrated in many parts of the world as St. Nicholas Day. Children leave a pair of shoes outside their door on December 5th and awake the next morning to treats left inside.
If you want to get in on this long-standing tradition and many others, visit the CDM Curbside presented by Christkindlmarket Des Moines online marketplace now through Nov. 22nd to place your order and pick up your kits at Principal Park Dec. 3rd – 6th. Due to the generous support of MidAmerican Energy Company, the Kinderkorner will have a variety of FREE children’s craft kits for ages 1 – 12 available to add on to your shopping cart while supplies last.
MidAmerican Energy Company not only provided the means, but they also supplied volunteers to assemble the kits. MidAmerican Energy Company hopes you enjoy the KinderKorner Craft Kits!
MidAmerican Energy Company is an energy company based in Des Moines, Iowa. Its service area includes almost two-thirds of Iowa, as well as portions of Illinois, South Dakota, and Nebraska. In addition to traditional power plants, MidAmerican Energy began investing in green energy generation in 2004.
Lithia VW of Des Moines: Exclusive and Official Printing Partner of the Limited Edition, Commemorative “Weihnachtszeit Magazin”
The idea of a keepsake holiday magazine from Christkindlmarket Des Moines (CDM) has been around for a couple of years.
To create a more complete holiday experience in 2020, we have created and published CDM’s very first Weihnachtszeit Magazin (Christmastime magazine). This English-language magazine includes the history of European Christmas markets, Des Moines’ fascination with CDM, recipes, first-hand stories of visits to European Christkindlmarkets along with market culture and etiquette.
Thanks to the generous support of Lithia VW of Des Moines, we are offering this print publication FREE to the first 2000 customers of the CDM Curbside online marketplace. Place an order with any of our vendors and you will receive this historic, keepsake issue.
Through this collaboration, Lithia VW of Des Moines continues its commitment to strengthen and grow Des Moines’ cultural offerings and add to the quality of life that makes Iowa so special.
The Postcard: #CDMCurbside FREE KinderKorner Craft Kits sponsored by MidAmerican Energy Company
It has been a long tradition in many cultures to send a Christmas greeting. According to Smithsonian Magazine, during Victorian England, Sir Henry Cole became concerned he was being impolite for not returning Christmas greetings that were beginning to pile up. He asked an artist friend, J.C. Horsley, to sketch a family at a table celebrating the holiday surrounded by images of people helping the poor. Cole took the sketch to a printer and had a thousand copies made on stiff cardboard reading “A Merry Christmas and A Happy New Year to You.” A Christmas Postcard was born!
If you want to get in on this long-standing tradition and many others, visit the CDM Curbside presented by Christkindlmarket Des Moines online marketplace now through Nov. 22nd to place your order and pick up your kits at Principal Park Dec. 3rd – 6th. Due to the generous support of MidAmerican Energy Company, the Kinderkorner will have a variety of FREE children’s craft kits for ages 1 – 12 available to add on to your shopping cart while supplies last.
MidAmerican Energy Company not only provided the means, but they also supplied volunteers to assemble the kits. MidAmerican Energy Company hopes you enjoy the KinderKorner Craft Kits!
MidAmerican Energy Company is an energy company based in Des Moines, Iowa. Its service area includes almost two-thirds of Iowa, as well as portions of Illinois, South Dakota, and Nebraska. In addition to traditional power plants, MidAmerican Energy began investing in green energy generation in 2004.
#CDM2021 Gift Guide | Steinbach Nutcrackers
Use this guide to find gift ideas from “an der Weihnachtsecke”, our store at Christkindlmarket Des Moines.
According to German folklore, Steinbach Nutcrackers were given as keepsakes to bring good luck to your family and protect your home. The legend says that a nutcracker represents power and strength and serves as a trusty watchdog guarding your family from evil spirits and danger. A fierce protector, the nutcracker bares its teeth to the evil spirits and serves as the traditional messenger of good luck and goodwill.
For almost two centuries the Steinbach Nutcracker family has been producing fine wooden products. Today, Herr Christian Steinbach heads the family operation carrying on the tradition with his daughter Karla. Karla Steinbach, who is Vice President is being groomed to become the sixth generation to head the company. Together, they oversee product development and quality control at the factory now located in Hohenhameln, in the northern region of Germany.
Chubby Bavarian Santa, $138
This Chubby Bavarian Santa is a symbol of festive gifts. Packed full of gifts in his blue Christmas bag, he presents all of Bavaria with great gifts for young and old. With his dark red reindeer pullover, his pointed-large hat and his long white beard, he brings not only gifts but also the Bavarian costumes into people’s homes – and of course with handmade precision by Steinbach.
BBQ Bill, $138
Nothing beats a cozy barbecue with family and friends in the summertime. This BBQ Bill is the image of the grill master, who delivers freshly grilled sausages, a juicy steak or delicious grilled vegetables for everyone. Equipped with spicy sauce and barbecue tongs in his hand, he makes sure there’s happy faces at the dining table. The apron and the hat complete his look perfectly. A real hero over the hot coals!
Beefeater, $138
Supreme guardians of the London Tower: For the first time in history, a German Nutcracker heads the Beefeater. He is the head of the Order of the Tower of London and the bodyguard of the English Royal House and today as a tour guide to the world on the go. With a size of 12″ and his red and black uniform, he attracts special attention from collectors. Royal handicraft from Steinbach.
Birdy Snowman, $340
This friendly snowman offers the birds food and offers protection in his specially made birdhouse. In the arctic winter, he is the bird’s best friend. A romantic winter wonderland relationship for every living room. Handcrafted with great attention to detail – by Steinbach!
Limited 2000 pieces
Black Forester, $138
This nutcracker shows a traditional German forester. You can recognize him by his red black robe and the typical hat. He carries a detailed cuckoo clock and a decorated bar with him. The bearded forester is hand-made in the Erzgebirge.
Chubby Fisher, $138
Cod, salmon or walleye – no matter what fish lands on the plate at Christmas, this Chubby Fisher is well-prepared to catch his dinner with his net. Handcrafted with love and care in detail – “Made by Steinbach”
Chubby Oktoberfest, $138
O’zapft is! (Bavarian for “It’s tapped!”). A keg tapping is a common ceremony for the opening of a folk festival. The art of barrel tapping is to carry out this action in such a way that little beer is sprayed and the tap is driven into the barrel with as few hits as possible. The first barrel tapping may be performed according to old nutcracker tradition with this 31 cm high staff Oktoberfest nutcracker. Made in Germany with much love and care by hand.
Cozy Santa with Music, $360
This Cozy Santa is a carbon copy of his role model from the North Pole and walks through the snow with his big golden staff. Lovingly hand-crafted, and every little detail was taken care of in the production: from the embroidered hat to the high-quality clothes to the gift-filled bag at his feet. The typical, dark red clothing is complemented by the golden details and fits perfectly with his white hair and beard. In the gift bag, which our Santa has worn through the snowy landscape, all kinds of presents for the children are hidden: In addition to a teddy bear, a ball, a doll and a candy cane, is the matching Christmas music, which comes from the built-in jukebox playing “12 days of Christmas”. Simply perfect and 100% “Made in Germany”.
Limited 2000 pieces!
Gnome Skier, $138
This Gnome Skier is a true adventurer on skis. Surrounded by the magnificent mountains and ski trails of the Ore Mountains, it is perfectly equipped to discover the many facets of the wintry mountain landscape. With his self-knitted ski cap, he braves the cold winter excursions and retires in the evening to his cozy warm mountain hut, which looks like a Gnome out of the snow. Gnome-tastic and “Handmade in Germany!”
Goose Boy with Music, $278
Our Goose Boy is on a hike through the fields with two of his goslings. He wears a big hat and a cozy sheepskin vest. Equipped with his shepherd’s staff and light luggage he is on the way to a new adventure. Maybe the destination is your living room? He also brings along a music box from which “Ein Tag so wunderschön wie heute” sounds.
King Arthur, $198
Who doesn’t know, the story of Arthur, the great King of Britain, and his sword Excalibur, which he drew from a stone and made him invincible – from Camelot, his magnificent castle, or the mighty wizard Merlin; and, finally, the adventures of the Knights of the Round Table – Gwalchmai, Lancelot, Parzival, Galahad, Tristan, and others – who went in search of the Holy Grail, the chalice that Jesus used at the Last Supper and, according to legend, eternal youth donates. This “King Arthur” Nutcracker is with its 19″ a true legendary giant. With his red golden color combination, his magnificent golden crown and his legendary sword Excalibur, he is a true nutcracker legend. Handcrafted in Germany with love and care in detail – from Steinbach!
Midwest Farmer, $340
Farmers are among America’s greatest innovators and help feed, clothe and fuel a growing world. this new Midwest Farmer Nutcracker also stands for this innovation. He is wearing his big straw hat and dungarees. He holds his freshly harvested carrots in one hand and his rake in the other. At his feet is a wheelbarrow and a cow. Farming for the future. Handcrafted with great attention to detail – by Steinbach!
Limited 2000 pieces
Mountain Climber, $198
Attention: Avalanche! This Mountain Climber is the best alpinist in the world! The Ore Mountain friend is the first nutcracker to climb Mount Steinbach. With his well thought out and professional mountaineering equipment including an ice pick, rope and strong boots, he is prepared for any climb. His goal: to conquer the showcase peaks of this world. A handcrafted wooden art expedition in the high-altitude euphoria – from Steinbach!
Mountain Skier, $340
The Steinbach Mountain Skier is the first nutcracker of the new Steinbach – Mountain Series. It is strictly limited to 2,000 pieces and convinces with its high-quality workmanship and the carefully chosen details such as the leather drinking bottle and the hand-knitted cap.
The Mountain Skier was a pioneer of skiing in North America. After the Norwegian immigrant Martin A. Strand opened the first ski factory in America at the end of the 19th century, the conquest of the American mountains and the world-famous American ski resorts in the Rocky Mountains and Aspen began.
The mountain skier played a key role in this development. He explored the most far away corners of the mountains and has experienced countless adventures, which are still told today in the light of the campfires in the many mountain camps.
NC Guardsman, $299
The German manufacturer, Steinbach, is well-known for its high-quality, the loving details and craftsmanship. This nutcracker is completely made of oak wood and is finished with a steady hand in the Steinbach factory. The long white hair and mustache fits perfectly with the green and red colors. Equipped with lantern, helmet and spear, this nutcracker is well-prepared for his task and will be a nice and useful eye-catcher for you – not only during the Christmas time.
Old Mountain Trapper, $340
There is hardly a trade that has more real dangers than that of the trapper.
The North American trapper is active in the fur trade and on the daily hunt for beaver. He has roamed the most remote corners of the Rocky Mountains for centuries and explores the wild west. In the wilderness he finds his freedom. A piece of American history for every collector.
The Old Mountain Trapper is the third version of the Steinbach Mountain series and includes impressive details and extremely high quality workmanship with carefully selected accessories. After the Yukon Gold Digger, the Old Mountain Trapper takes you on an adventure into your living room.
Limited 2,000 pieces
Santa with Arch, $198
An illuminated arch makes the darker months so much nicer and therefore belongs with every traditional German Christmas decoration. Together with this German Santa you can illuminate the Christmas season. The interplay between these two traditional German Christmas decorations is one of the most beautiful and delightful Christmas decorations – handmade by Steinbach! The arc has mini LEDs and the engraved details with the Steinbach swallows. With its red robe and white wool collar, this German Santa refines the overall picture and is a true work of art for every Steinbach collector.
Soldier, $198
This 17″ tall “Big Soldier” belongs to the Royal Force. In the early 17th century, soldiers preferred a bat sword to stun their enemy quickly and effectively. His uniform includes wide-cut trousers and a jacket-like camisole with wide sleeves. Handcrafted and hand-painted in Germany, this wooden Soldier Nutcracker is a beautiful gift item.
Troll Bavarian Santa, $138
With a fur hat and gift bag, the 10.6″ tall Troll Nutcracker comes from Bavaria. He wears a typical Bavarian Christmas costume, ready to hand over the presents. He was decorated with great attention to detail and worked by hand in the Erzgebirge – “Made in Germany”.
Troll Black Forester, $138
A traditional resident of the German Black Forest shows this 9.5″ tall, bearded nutcracker with a thick white mustache. He is recognizable by his dark red robe and black hat. He carries a detailed cuckoo clock in his hands. Handmade with love and care in detail – “Made by Steinbach”
Troll King, $138
The title of the highest, secular ruler of the Steinbach monarchy, this 11.4″ tall “Troll King” is 100% authentic. As an authoritarian but cordial leader he is both feared and respected, by the citizens. He can be recognized in particular by his blue royal robe, the gold-blue crown and the scepter of pure gold. Handcrafted with love and care in detail – “Made by Steinbach”
Troll Oktoberfestler, $138
This 10.6″ tall Oktoberfest Bavarian Man with Beer is a German Nutcracker handcrafted by Steinbach. It is the perfect gift for anyone who loves Oktoberfest and classic German beer. He’s dressed head to toe in festive German garb from his feathered Bavarian hat to his green shirt with gold reindeer print and red Lederhosen. In one hand he’s holding a foamy mug of beer and in the other he’s holding a heart-shaped sign that reads “Oktoberfest”.
Tschaikovsky and his ballet, $258
This Tchaikovsky nutcracker represents the notes and most important characters of his most famous ballet ‘The Nutcracker’. In loving detail, each small figure is recreated in detail to the original. Tchaikovsky himself wears a white shirt and a chic suit made of premium-quality material. On the base next to the opera-figures is a superimposed keyboard. Everything 100% handmade “Made in Germany”.
Uncle Sam, $198
Probably the most famous advertising figure in the United States: Uncle Sam – a man with white hair and a serious facial expression. Like its great role model, this nutcracker “Uncle Sam” wears the typical national colors of the US: a dark blue jacket, a vest decorated with stars, and red and white striped pants. A special eye-catcher is the large US flag, which he proudly holds in his hand and a small Statue of Liberty, which is as detailed as the original. 100% handmade “Made in Germany”.
Yukon Gold Digger, $340
Since the 19th century, adventurers have been searching for gold in various regions. The Yukon River is well-known and popular for prospectors from all around the world. Today, they search with modern machines, but back in a pickax, shovel and gold pan were enough. This nutcracker proudly presents the yield of the last hours: Gold grains in his hand and in the sack behind him. Well-equipped for the adventure, he is dressed warmly in coat and cap with his drinking bottle, pickax and blanket. The dynamite at his feet will help him get to the valuable nuggets faster.
The Yukon Gold Digger is the second figure from the Steinbach Mountain Series impressive with its detail, the extremely high-quality workmanship and carefully selected accessories. After the Mountain Skier from the last collection, the Gold Digger from the American mountains comes to the collector’s home.
Limited 2000 pieces