On December 5th, we hurried to Kerrytown for Kindlefest 2014. No, it isn’t a gathering of Kindle owners! It is Ann Arbor’s Kerrytown District’s Christkindlmarket. Are you still confused? Christkindlmarket is a German Christmas market, or Weihnachtsmarkt. Starting in December, Christmas markets are held all over Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. Germany’s largest Christmas market is in Nuremberg. For more on Christmas in Germany, check out this post from our friends at Simple Germany.
What was in your boot this morning?
If you were good you found a treat this morning (Dec 6th) but if you were bad you got coal or switch from St. Nikolaus’s naughty counterpart, the monster Krampus. You are probably wondering what have I been drinking, not enough coffee at this point in my day. It is a German tradition. On the evening of December 5th children leave a shoe or boot for St. Nikolaus to fill. I think these ladies weren’t taking any chances and filling their own boots.
Sweet Gem Confections
One of my favorite chocolate makers was selling delicious treats. Nancy Biehn the owner of Sweet Gem Confections and chocolate magician had many chocolate confections for sale.
Handcrafted Gifts
If you know this artist, please provide her contact information. I regret not purchasing one of her creatures. It is a perfect gift for someone on my list.
Can you see the resemblance? Hint: White beard. These lovely pieces of folk art are the work of Victoria Fox. You can find her at the Ann Arbor’s Farmers Market.
I love these cards by Chelsea Jordan. I wish I was so creative.
Chuck Rock
Cat proof and child resistant. I wish I could say the same about myself.
Stollen Nuts
Giggle… Notice the red-stripped roof, in Germany the vendors sell their, um stuff, out of wooden booths, usually with red and white striped roofs.
St. Nikolaus
Finally! St. Nikolaus arrived.
No, wait, there is St. Nikolaus.
This little cutie had her eye on Chuck. Either she thought St. Nikolaus was trailing her or she was flirting.
Heavenly Metal
We absolutely love this store and the owner, Vicki!
I think she loves us too.
Midnight Madness
The Kindlefest and Midnight Madness are a holiday tradition. Downtown Ann Arbor shops are open late and offer special deals for Midnight Madness. It is a shopping, merrymaking, and bar hopping all rolled into one. What is not to love. Here is our post from last year.
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