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, candles, soaps, floral arrangements and Christmas decorations as well as specifically European items such as Scherenschnitte (scissor cuttings), Kerbschnitte (chip-carving in wood), Holzschnitte (wood-carvings) and Schwibbogen (German decorative candle holders.) For a complete listing of this year's vendors, click here.

Samichlaus, Switzerland's version of St. Nick, will be making appearances at 10:30 am, 12:30 pm and 2:30 pm both days of the market, visiting with children and shoppers, and checking his large book of the year's past infractions! Children of all ages should be on the lookout for Samichlaus' partner, Schmutzli, who makes sure children haven't been too naughty during the year! You can see a video of Samichlaus and Schmutzli at a past Christkindlmarkt here.

New this year is the display of an antique horse-drawn sleigh at the entrance of Turner Hall, perfect for holiday picture-taking, as you imagine yourself going "over the river and through the woods to Grandmother's house..."

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. For a larger menu selection, the lower level Ratskeller Restaurant will also be open for lunch and dinner during both days of the market.

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

Listing of 2012 Christkindlmarkt Vendors
• Barrett Design - seasonal fabric décor & pottery by Kathy King
• BJ's Stitch 'n' Such - handmade blankets, appliance covers and more by Bev Rufer
• Boomerang Bakery - Stollen and Christmas breads
• Bonita Loeffel Creations - totem art, embroidery & cross-stitch, Scherenschnitte, jewelry
• Brad's Woodcrafts - handmade wooden bowls, cutting boards
• Chip Carving by Steve Esser & Gottlieb Brändli, Sr. - carved wood ornaments and more
• Chip Carvings by Horst Hart - wood items featuring the European art of Kerbschnitte
• Creative Woodcraft - scroll saw ornaments & Schwibbogen by Kermit Barr
• Denise Christine - wide variety of Christmas décor and gift items
• European Bake Sale - baked goods made by the Monroe Swiss Singers
• Heartland Herbs of Wisconsin - wheel-thrown pottery; spice mixes for dips
• Karen's Krafts - unique hand-painted items;embroidered/appliques shirts
• Jason Kundert Woodworking - handmade wood items
• Mia Bella - no-soot candles, seasonal/year-'round floral arrangements and home decor
• Misty Meadows Dairy - goat milk soap/lotion & watercolors by Sharon Christensen
• Occasions Ware - high-end table accents and serving pieces at deeply-discounted prices through Turner Hall
• Quilted Crafts Plus - quilted runners, banners, aprons by Sue Rentmeester
• Rag Rugs - handmade by Betty Peterson, with crocheted caps and other items
• Riese Family - Christmas cards, cross-stitch & crochet by Denise, Stephanie & Randy
• Scherenschnitte - European art of scissors cuttings by Elda and Linda Schiesser
• Sewing in Circles - fabric bowls, sling purses, button bracelets
• Shandie's Mom - handcrafter jewelry, Christmas ornaments, knit items
• Spectrum Beads - handmade jewelry from semi-precious stones & sterling silver
• Sugar River Roses - beautiful hand-done china painting on a wide variety of items
• Trachten Closet - used dirndls and trachten-wear; Sell your own items on consignment!
• Up-a-Creek Dairy Goats - goat milk soap and lotion
• Three Friends Jewelry - hand-crafted jewelry with a Swiss or Christmas theme
• Usborne Books & More - educational, activity & fiction books for children
• Woodcarvings by Ernst Possner - handcarved figures, bowls, other small items

The Christkindlmarkt, as well as other programs during 2012, is part of Turner Hall's on-going Swiss Heritage Series. More information on the Swiss Heritage Series is available here.