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) and Holzschnitte (wood-carvings.) For a complete listing of this year's vendors, click here.

Samichlaus, Switzerland's version of St. Nick, will be making appearances on both days of the market, visiting with children and shoppers, and checking his large book of the year's past infractions! Children should be on the lookout for Samichlaus' partner, Schmutzli, who makes sure children haven't been too naughty during the year!

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 2011 Christkindlmarkt Vendors
• BJ's Stitch 'n' Such - handmade fabric items by Bev Rufer and Joyce Kubly
• Chip Carving by Gottlieb Brändli, Sr. - carved wood ornaments and more
• Chip Carvings by Horst Hart - wood items featuring the European art of Kerbschnitte
• Designs by Donna - basket arrangements and quilts
• European Bake Sale - baked goods made by the Monroe Swiss Singers
• Hands to the Wheel - hand-knitted and hand-sewn home/baby items
• Karen's Krafts - unique hand-painted wood and metal items, gourds; embroidered/appliques shirts
• Kline's Kitchen - delicious homemade cookies; can be ordered for the holidays
• Jason Kundert Woodworking - handmade wood items
• Mia Bella - no-soot candles, seasonal/year-'round floral arrangements and home decor
• Misty Meadows Dairy - fiber arts, mittens, goat milk soap/lotion
• Occasions Ware - high-end table accents and serving pieces at deeply-discounted prices through Turner Hall
• Rag Rugs - handmade by Betty Peterson
• 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
• Studio Suzanne - recyled art sculpture and wall pieces
• Trachten Closet - used dirndls and trachten-wear; Sell your own items on consignment!
• Up-a-Creek Dairy Goats - goat milk soap and lotion
• Woodcarvings by Ernst Possner - handcarved figures, bowls, other small items

The Christkindlmarkt, as well as other programs during 2011, is part of Turner Hall's on-going Swiss Heritage Series. More information on the Swiss Heritage Series is available here.