Christkindl Market

Each year Denver holds a German Christmas festival to celebrate the season. At the Christkindl Market you can find dozens of little pop-up shops with hand made wears from all over Europe and even south America (kindly taking into account the local population).

As per usual, upon entering the first order of business was food. We followed our noses to soft salty pretzels and gooey strudel...

And to bratwurst loaded with sauerkraut, though still not nearly enough for my tastes.

In my entire life I have never seen so many ornaments in one place. It was amazing to find all sorts of decorations to hang on the tree, all with so much more personality and charm than those you get at any old store selling ornaments.

Everywhere you turned you could find a little house, a train set, a Russian doll, or a Nutcracker, like walking through a real toymaker's shop.

When I was a little girl, I remember seeing a Russian nesting doll in my mother's room and always found it the most fascinating thing. There are plenty of options at the market and are a unique gift for any mother or mother-to-be as it represents the fertility of a motherhood.

Houses to put a tea light in on top your fireplace mantel.

What was so wonderful to see was the very fair pricing on most of the items. I didn't catch a snap, but at one stall you could buy stunning Scottish cashmere scarfs and gloves, extraordinarily cheaper than online or at traditional stores. Not to mention the quality of all the items was quite excellent and made with luxurious materials.

This one will be mine next year!

With, probably, his to match.

Among all the treasures were gifts even more unique.

Beer steins.

 

Mexican beaded keychains.

And...ohhh yesss..... dark chocolate tools.

Of course they know their shoppers, and thoughtfully made come true every woman's dream, a sold chocolate purse and matching shoes! The craftsman swore they hold up well in weather changes, but it was a struggle to convince the Mr. to let me add these to the collection.

What was really fantastic was that their bolts and screws really twisted onto each other like true working pieces Even this light bulb went into the socket I got for my grandma because she's such a bright lady!

After choosing our gifts, we made our way into the tent to listen to the performances and glug down glühwein.

 

 

The market was a fun little experience and got us so much more exited for Christmas day. I went home and carefully wrapped little packages while nibbling chocolate, dreaming of a fireplace to put tiny houses on, and of how grand it would be to be Clara from the Nutcracker.

Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night!