A dozen booths were filled with Bavarian sweets, pretzels, cakes, and trinkets, as well as hand-crafted wood ornaments and Rookwood pottery. Another booth was filled entirely of gifts from Germany, offering advent calendars, chocolates, toys, clothing, and many other imports. Mecklenburg Gardens offered an array of German street food, such as bratwurst and mettwurst topped with sauerkraut, and everyone's favorite, fried pickles and potato pancakes. Glühwein, a warm mulled wine, was another treat during this chilly weekend.
The highlight of Christkindlmarkt were the German verbiage totes and mugs that Cincideutsch created with Saint Ursula’s Academy Design Program. Each item featured a word in German that does not directly translate into English. On one side, a graphic of the word is printed in the style of a German artist. On the other, the definition is displayed on the corner of the bag, along with the artist's name. At only $5.00 each, I snagged a few for myself and for Christmas gifts.
Founded in 2011 by native German speakers and Americans who had lived in Germany, Cincideutsch is a group of Cincinnatians that aims to promote modern German language and culture in Cincinnati.
