On Friday and Saturday, November 25-26 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m, enjoy the sights, sounds and smells of Old World holiday shopping, where you'll find a unique selection of one-of-a-kind gifts for those special someones on your list!

Turner Hall's Christkindlmarkt will feature the work of select artisans and vendors, with unique, affordable and quality gifts. Shoppers will find a variety of items including fiber and fabric arts, dolls, handmade baskets, wreaths and Christmas decorations as well as specifically European items such as Scherenschnitte (scissor cuttings), Kerbschnitte (chip-carving in wood) and Holzschnitte (wood-carvings, shown below).

Father Christmas will be making an appearance on both days of the market, visiting with children and shoppers. There will also be an opportunity to have a photo taken with Father Christmas for a nominal fee. And Santa stopped by recently at The Swiss Colony in Monroe and left gingerbread houses for any children who may come to the Christkindlmarkt.

The Old World ambiance of the Turner Hall of Monroe provides the perfect backdrop for this unique European-style Christmas market. The Christkindlmarkt, or literally translated, Christ-Child Market, is a traditional German Christmas market with origins dating back to 1434. One of the most famous and oldest markets, which was first officially recorded in 1628, is held annually in Nuremberg. Christkindlmarkts take place in many cities throughout Germany, as well as in areas of the United States where immigrants brought the tradition with them.

Also part of the market, a European-style café, including homemade Swiss baked goods and treats from Turner Hall's Ratskeller Restaurant, will offer Christkindlmarkt shoppers a chance to relax and take in the holiday atmosphere.

Treat yourself to the experience this year, and you'll want to make the Christkindlmarkt one of your holiday shopping traditions every year!

As part of Turner Hall's Swiss Heritage Series, the Christkindlmarkt as well as other programs during 2005, is supported in part by a grant from the Wisconsin Arts Board with funds from the National Endowment for the Arts. More information on Turner Hall's Swiss Heritage Series is available here.