Monday, December 21, 2015

Chicago Christkindlmarket 2015



One of my favorite Christmas traditions!
Every time that I go feels just as magical.
(And I have to admit that I have gone quite a bit this year.)
The weather has been so mild, that I have found myself walking a few blocks out of the way 
to the train station at night just so that I can walk through the market. 
One night I get gluhwein (hot spiced wine) in a souvenir mug, another night potato pancakes or candied pecans...


Most vendors are there year after year.


But it doesn't grow old, but stays magical and special


My favorites are the traditional German crafts -
some made of paper


others made of wood 


What treasures to be seen!


so lovely


So many beautiful wooden ornaments to choose from!


and always the nutcrackers!


 This year Uncle Drosselmeyer from the Nutcracker ballet came home with me...


The little nativity candle holder and teeny tiny nutcrackers are sweet as well.


These three dimensional wooden ornaments were new this year and caught my eye... Maybe next year.


I stopped in the ornament house


All the glass ornaments are so lovely, but I was on a mission for just the right one...
Here it is:


a long-haired dachshund like our Peanut :)
to join the short hair dachshund ornament already on our tree. 


There are lots of candles at the market and they all glow so beautifully at night.


When I saw this booth, I remembered a purchase that I made at one of the first Christkindlmarkets many years ago. I haven't had it out for a while, so I had to do some searching...


but I found it! 
This sweet little candle holder - the flame lights the windows and the smoke travels through the chimney.
So glad that I could find it again!

I hope you don't mind me sharing the market year after year,
but it is one of my favorite traditions...

When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the child leaped in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit 42 and exclaimed with a loud cry, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb.
~Luke 1:41-42

Blessings, Patti

14 comments:

Marilyn said...

Thanks for sharing the pics of the market, it looks awesome.
How great that you found a long-haired dachshund ornament.
A lot of great treasures there.
Marilyn

cucki said...

Beautiful market with lots of sweet treasure there
Big hugs x

Sara said...

Thanks for sharing. Never get tired of seeing the beautiful pictures. A visit is on my bucket list - maybe next year.

Berit said...

Rather than minding, I'm so excited to see you post about it! Your post last year so affected me that I immediately began researching plane tickets and babbling about how we were going next year, no matter what! Well, some events intervened, but happily you've got a post for us!

I spotted the Drosselmeyer IMMEDIATELY in the big crowd--and was going to remark upon him--good job buying him!

Wooden ornaments are my favorite; I truly think this place would be my ultimate Christmas Wonderland--but, you know, my tree's looking pretty fine this year, so I AM quite blessed. :D

Have a wonderful Christmas. :)

Unknown said...

Just like the Christkindlmarkt in Nürnberg! How lucky are you to be able to stroll through after work! Thanks for the beautiful pictures! Wishing you and yours a blessed holiday:)

Mugwump Woolies said...

I love this post! A visit to an authentic Christmas market has been on my "to do " list for years! Lucky you to be able to stroll through every year. My German heritage kicks into high gear when I see all those lovely wooden ornaments. Thanks for taking us along.
Merry Christmas!
Robyn

Linda said...

Perfect doxie ornament!

Prims By The Water said...

So magical! Glad you were able to find your lil doggie ornament. So wonderful to have a house that lights up with a candle. Must be pretty at night. TFS Janice

WoolenSails said...

I would love to go to the market, love all the different items.
All of the christmas shops we had, closed so I miss going to see all the new items.
We had a large candle tower with the moving scenes but someone broke it and then threw it away instead of having it fixed.
I saw some in the stores and they are really expensive now.

Debbie

Rugs and Pugs said...

What a wonderful place to visit. Perhaps I need to plan a Chicago visit next December.
Merry, merry Christmas to you and the furbabies!
Hugs :)
Lauren

Jackie said...

When I was a child, we lived in Germany. We were able to go to the Christkindlmarkt in Nurnberg. Magical....

Pat Salvatini said...

You took such nice pictures. The markt was too crowded when I was there, we were barely able to get my shopping done and enjoy my pancakes and coco boot.

Elizabeth Ann said...

Thank you so much for sharing your trip to the Christmas market - what a wonderful place to visit! I love the red ornaments! and those beautiful wood trees.
Have a wonderful Christmas!

Halland House Gifts said...

A Christkindlmarket will never grow old for me. One day I will get to visit, but until then I have thoroughly enjoyed yours--especially the nutcrackers. My mom and I both love them.