Silent Auction Tree Blog Feature: Danish Sisterhood
Christkindlmarket Des Moines would like to welcome first time participants in the Silent Auction, The Danish Sisterhood.
Inspired by the success of the Danish Brotherhood of America, Christine Hemmingsen, a Danish immigrant from Orup, Denmark, established the Danish Sisterhood of America in 1883. The Sisterhood works to strengthen, maintain and preserve the Danish heritage and traditions for future generations.
“We want to let the public know about our organization. Many people in Des Moines have no idea there is an organization whose sole purpose is to celebrate our Danish heritage and to teach and pass on the traditions of Denmark,” explains Sisterhood member, Carol Rudisill.
The money raised in the Silent Auction will be used in service to other organizations including the Museum of Danish America in Elk Horn, Iowa. The museum is archiving and cataloging artifacts reaching back to the late 1800’s from Danish Sisterhoods across the United States. The Sisterhood also supports Ronald McDonalds House, Dorothy’s House, and the Food Bank of Iowa.
If you would like to bid on “A Traditional Danish Christmas” tree, visit Christkindlmarket Des Moines December 6th-8th or grab a ticket to the preview night December 5th at 5pm.
For more information the The Danish Sisterhood of America, please visit their website.
What’s new at #CDM2019
As festival organizers, we try to bring something new or different to Christkindlmarket Des Moines each year. Check out what’s new for #CDM2019 at Principal Park.
1. PARKING – Enjoy FREE surface lot parking in the two lots between SW 2nd and SW 3rd Streets – there are 373 spots.
2. ‘Twas the Night Before #CDM2019 Preview Experience on Thursday, December 5, 5 – 9pm. Includes free parking, access to the venue and vendors before the festival opens to the public, a commemorative mug and food/drink tickets. GET TICKETS!
3. Covered Weihnachtswald (Christmas Forest) that will keep both our beautifully decorated non-profit trees and our marketgoers a bit cozier and hopefully help us raise even more money for so many worthwhile causes across Iowa.
4. INGE ornaments for sale An der Weihnachtsecke: Inge-Glas of Germany is the oldest Christmas ornament company in the world. They started in the mid-1850’s in Lauscha, Germany. Their Christmas Heirloom glass ornaments are the result of 14 generations of glass blowing expertise and a cache of over 6000 antique and new molds. These German mouth-blown and hand-painted ornaments represent the skill, heart and effort of over 250 craftsmen employed by Inge-Glas. Inge ornaments are easily recognizable by their trademark STAR CAP.
5. Three Glühwein serving areas – With an expanded venue comes an additional Glühwein serving area to help meet your demands! We will have a total of three Glühwein and two beer serving areas at Christkindlmarket Des Moines this year.
6. We’re pleased to feature Verak X.O. as a Glühwein add-in at #CDM2019. This brandy comes to us all the way from Stone Castle Winery in Kosovo. Have it added to your Glühwein for that added “kick”!
7. 31 vendors: 14 vendors serving food, 17 gift and specialty vendors
8. 13 New vendors: Held Companies, Nymph In The Woods, Three In One Artworks, Danish Windmill, K & S Kitchen LLC, The Kringle Man (Village Cafe), The Big Red Food Truck, Pam Hyde Pottery, Kids in The Hall, The Danish Table :: Hygge Kitchen ::, Swede Point Creamery, DreiBerge Coffee, Hot Lunch
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.
Silent Auction Tree Blog Feature: Daughters of Norway’s Eva Nansen Lodge 46
We are happy to welcome back the Daughters of Norway’s Eva Nansen Lodge 46 for their fourth year as participant in the Christkindlmarket Des Moines Silent Auction.
The Daughters of Norway are proud to continue the legacy of Nordic heritage throughout Iowa with cultural arts, history, and traditions that our ancestors brought to America to share among today’s children and women of all ages
“We participate in the Silent Auction because it is a great opportunity to reach out in Central Iowa as well as the State of Iowa and letting the public know about our organization,” explains Sandy Hansen, lodge member. “This community event is another way for our Sisters to be involved in togetherness and kick-off the holiday season by decorating a heritage Christmas tree.”
Winter Solstice guardian angels and Scandinavian mythological guardian Gnomes will be the theme of this years tree. It will be decorated with a variety of angels and Scandinavian gnomes that charmingly characterize the Christmas holidays and will be accented with lights and ornament balls.
For more information on the Daughters of Norway’s Eva Nansen Lodge 46, visit their website.
Silent Auction Tree Blog Feature: Taysia Blue Rescue
Taysia Blue Rescue is back for a second straight year, and we can’t wait to see how they plan to deck their tree!
“We participate in the CDM auction as a fun event for our volunteers to work together to be creative and decorate the tree (a couple of our volunteers talk about this throughout the year to get theme ideas),” explains representative Erica Hellmich. “By being a part of this, Taysia Blue Rescue is being exposed to a wide audience that may not otherwise hear about us. Our rescue is a husky and malamute breed specific rescue and what is better than cold, Christmas and northern breed dogs?”
Taysia Blue Husky and Malamute Rescue is a 100% volunteer and foster based organization that pulls dogs from shelters where they are at risk of being euthanized and also takes on Huskies and Malamutes that have medical issues such as Heartworm and orthopedic problems.
The Silent Auction funds for this tree will allow the Rescue to continue to take in dogs that come with expensive medical needs such as surgeries and Heartworm treatment.
If you are interested in learning more about Taysia Blue Rescue, please visit their website.
Silent Auction Tree Blog Feature: The Scottish Heritage Society
The Christkindlmarket Des Moines Silent Auction is excited to have the Scottish Heritage Society return as a two-year participant. They will be decking their tree with white lights, tartan ribbon, balls, bells, white Westie Scotty Dogs, and empty mini-whiskey bottles.
The Central Iowa chapter of the Scottish Heritage Society of Iowa was formed in 1975 by the children and grandchildren of members of two organizations prominent in the early days of Des Moines history – the “Robert Burns Club” and the “St. Andrews Society”.
The Society enjoys participating in the Silent Auction as a means to promote their group to a broader audience. They will use the funds to help pay for their annual celebration, Burns Night.
For more information on the Scottish Heritage Society, please visit their website.
Pickle Creek Herbs | #CDM2019 Vendor
Tell us about your business
Hello from Pickle Creek! We are a small family farm in Pleasant Plain, Iowa. We grow herbs, fruits, garlic, and peppers that we use to create infused olive oils and vinegars, soaps, salves, and balms. We make everything by hand in small batches using our own original recipes. With Pickle Creek infusions, you can bring all the life, spice, and flavor of the summer garden to your kitchen and home.
What inspired you to get involved as a vendor at Christkindlmarket Des Moines 2019
It’s an awesome and unique experience! We first heard about Christkindlmarket from friends, and it jumped out as something special—we hadn’t seen anything quite like it in Iowa. That was back in 2016, and we’ve been participating ever since. The visitors, volunteers, and other vendors are so cheerful, festive, and fun!
What products will you be selling at Christkindlmarket Des Moines 2019 and why did you choose them?
To stay in the spirit of Christkindlmarket, we’ll be selling only our handmade products that we create using our own herbs and recipes. We’ll especially be featuring holiday gift boxes, baskets, and bags in traditional holiday colors.
Anything else you’d like to share?
Christkindlmarket is not just shopping and eating—it’s an experience unlike anything else in Iowa. It’s especially charming when the lights start to shine, a cup of Glühwein warms the fingers, and the cheer in the air evokes the Christmas magic you loved as a child. It will definitely put you in the holiday spirit!
Silent Auction Tree Blog Feature: The Pet Project Midwest
The Pet Project Midwest has returned for their second year decorating a tree. The organization began in 2009 with the goal of keeping pets in their loving homes and out of shelters.
“The Pet Project Midwest’s mission is to make the world a better place through kindness to animals. Our primary goal is to keep animals in their homes and out of shelters,” explains representative, Kim Hanlon. “Participating in the [Silent Auction] allows us to spread our mission in a unique and festive way.”
“The funds [from the auction] will help us expand our services to our most vulnerable clients currently receiving assistance through our Paws For Life Program,” shares Hanlon. “The program helps the disabled and elderly keep their pets fed and healthy. Many times these folks will use their limited resources to feed their beloved pets instead of the medication and supplies they need. By helping with pet food and supplies, we can remove that burden.”
The Pet Project Midwest will be creating “A gift to the birds” tree for market goers to bid on. The winning bidder will be able to place this tree in their yard, unwrap the “ornaments” and watch the birds feast on a cold winter day.
For more information on The Pet Project Midwest, please visit their website..thepetprojectmidwest.org
Bratwurst Imbiß am Markt
Bratwurst Imbiss am Markt (Brat stand at the market) run by Des Moines European Heritage Association (DMEHA) returns to the market! DMEHA is the non-profit responsible for the production of Christkindlamarket Des Moines.
Enjoy a 1/4 lb, coarse-ground, German–style pork bratwurst grilled to perfection.
Usinger’s produces many kinds of sausages and meats, in many cases using traditional 19th-century recipes provided by its founder, Fred Usinger of Wehen, Germany. The family-owned company, now in it’s fourth generation, continues to live its slogan of providing “America’s Finest Sausage”.
Offering: Usinger’s Bratwurst – $5, bottled water – $1
Silent Auction Tree Blog Feature: Mosaic in Central Iowa
Mosaic in Central Iowa is another new addition to our 4th annual Silent Auction.
“The people we support in Central Iowa desire and deserve closer ties to the community and new opportunities for social and cultural activities,” explains Janet Fisher, Mosaic representative. “Our participation in the silent auction empowers the people we support to make new connections and allows us to introduce Mosaic’s mission to community members.”
Mosaic was formed in 2003 from the consolidation of two Nebraska-born Lutheran ministries dedicated to the needs of people with disabilities. It is their mission to relentlessly pursue opportunities to empower people.
“Mosaic’s funding primarily comes from Medicaid, but Medicaid funding only meets the most basic needs for people,” clarifies Fisher. “Funds from the silent auction will allow Mosaic to stand in the gap, continue providing truly personalized services and empower people to live their best life, whatever that looks like to them.”
To support this mission and bid on their tree, visit Christkindlmarket Des Moines at Principal Park December 6th-8th and preview night December 5th.
For more information about Mosaic in Central Iowa, please visit their website.