CHRISTKINDLMARKT AT FINDLAY MARKET

Cincideutsch Christkindlmarkt expanded into a three-weekend celebration this year, with its new location at Findlay Market. Open Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, December 13-15 are the final days for the event.

Ironically, Christkindlmarkt is set up near the Anti-German Hysteria historical placard.

Inspired by the centuries-old holiday markets in Germany, Cincideutsch organized a version of the festivities for Cincinnatians to enjoy. Old fashioned timber houses create storefronts for vendors selling anything from traditional German baked goods, handcrafted gifts, mulled wine, and more.

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. Last year's Christkindlmarkt topped the list of where I found some of my favorite gifts of the season in 2012. - See more at: http://www.cincywhimsy.com/2013/12/two-weekends-of-christkindlmarkt.html#sthash.zAzcGOwy.dpuf

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. Last year's Christkindlmarkt topped the list of where I found some of my favorite gifts of the season in 2012. - See more at: http://www.cincywhimsy.com/2013/12/two-weekends-of-christkindlmarkt.html#sthash.zAzcGOwy.dpuf

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. Last year's Christkindlmarkt topped the list of where I found some of my favorite gifts of the season in 2012.

Over 15,000 visitors are expected to attend the event throughout December. Christkindlmarkt runs from 9:00am-6:00pm on Friday and Saturday, and from 10:00am-4:00pm on Sunday

TWO WEEKENDS OF CHRISTKINDLMARKT

Findlay Market will be brimming with Gemütlichkeit for the next two weekends as Christkindlmarkt brings German heritage back to the heart of Over-the-Rhine. From December 6-8 and December 13-15, look for specialty vendors in charming half-timbered houses serving traditional holiday sweets, European baked goods, and handcrafted gifts. The event, organized by Cincideutsch, is inspired by the same festivities held throughout Germany that have been celebrated for hundreds of years.

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. Last year's Christkindlmarkt topped the list of where I found some of my favorite gifts of the season in 2012.

Over 15,000 visitors are expected to attend the event throughout December, enjoying the market's spirited ambiance, live music, and sparkling lights. Christkindlmarkt runs from 9:00am-6:00pm on Fridays and Saturdays, and from 10:00am-4:00pm on Sundays.

PAIGE'S FAVORITE THINGS

It's the day after Christmas and time to lay out the loot! Inspired by Kate the Great's post: The Best Gifts For The Lady On Your List, today's installment of CincyWhimsy features my haul of 20 Cincinnati items that I gifted, received, or swooned over in the window display this season.

1.) Cincinnati Neighborhood Ornaments

One of my favorite places to shop for unique gifts is at Crafty Supermarket, which is where I stumbled upon these adorable ceramic ornaments themed after neighborhoods in Greater Cincinnati. Created by Sarah Horn Ceramics, these decorations paid homage to numerous towns across the tri-state, including Bellevue, Covington, Clifton, Northside, OTR, as well as Sarah's home in Dayton, Kentucky.

2.) German Verbiage Tote Bags

Cincinnati's German heritage shined bright at Christkindlmarkt on Fountain Square with canvas tote bags created in partnership with Cincideutsch and Saint Ursula’s Academy Design Program. Each item features 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.

3.) Cincinnati Subway DVD + Tee Shirt

Share the secret of the Queen City underground this season with a copy of the PBS documentary about America's largest unfinished subway system, located beneath the streets of Central Parkway. A story of innovation, greed, and corruption, this hour-long program includes vivid footage of the tunnels, as well as a collection of original construction photographs from the 1920s.

Be sure to grab the companion tee shirt too, which reads "The Cincinnati Subway: Taking you nowhere since 1928." Both items can be found at Cincy Haus in the Gateway Quarter, or www.thecincinnatisubway.com/store


4.) Over The Rhine Coasters
 

Fresh off the presses from Once Blind Studios, this set of Over The Rhine coasters is so suave you'll be tempted to take them out to use at your favorite drinking establishment. Available at Park + Vine, the coasters are just one of many items featured in OBS's Heritage Collection.

5.) Sadistic Mistress Sauces

Not just a hot sauce, not just a salsa; these Kentucky hand-crafted bottles of fury are perfect for the Spicy Level 10 lovers on your list. With every pepper homegrown in the Bluegrass State, the quality ingredients are all-natural, vegan, gluten-free, and peanut-free. Discovered at The City Flea, Sadistic Mistress Sauces can be used for cooking, snacking with tortilla chips, or garnishing a 3-way.

6.) Wrath by Howard McEwen

 
One of my most recent late night page turners, Wrath tells the story of William Goebel, a politician from Covington, Kentucky, who was the only Governor ever to be assassinated in office. Based on a true story that takes place in post Civil War Kentucky, I was fascinated with hearing familiar street names, landmarks, and politicians of the era.

Available on Amazon.com both in hardcopy and for Kindle, Wrath will have you cheering for Goebel throughout his ruthless yet passionate rise to power.


7.) Print of Music Hall 1878
 

Designed by local pop artist, Andrew VanSickle, this limited edition print of Music Hall recaptures the pageantry taking place on the night Music Hall first opened in 1878. With proceeds benefiting the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, this will brighten both your home and support the arts in the Queen City. With only 100 prints in existence, promenade on over to The Bravo Shop and get one for your collection.

8.) A Dork & His Christmas Cheer

Jeff, author of A Dork & His Pork, surprised me over the holiday weekend with a box of homemade sweets: sugar cookies, mixed nut brittle, and truffle fudge. Now, this is not your ordinary tin of holiday baked goods. Every last detail of these treats were made from scratch by Jeff in his kitchen and I could taste the love in each bite. His culinary skills could make even a fruit cake seem delicious.
 
9.) The Singing Cupcake

While we're on the topic of sweets, I'm head-over-heels for this singing felt cupcake my roommate received from our friend Maureen. It's adorable. It's a magnet. It belts out "Girls Just Wanna Have Fun" when pressed. What's not to love?

10.) Rookwood Tile Trivets

Dine with Cincinnati's finest landmarks at your holiday table with these trivets featuring Carew Tower, Fountain Square, Union Terminal, Music Hall and more. Crafted by Rookwood Tile and set inside a wooden frame, each hot plate can be customized in your favorite color. Find one for your kitchen at Urban Eden on 13th and Main Street.

11.) Wooden iPhone Cases

Looking for a new case for your iDevice? Warm up with a sleek teakwood case from JackBacks, based in Northside. Each is handcrafted from real wood - not a sticker or "looks like wood" aesthetic. You can also have custom designs etched into it. The options are endless: photographs, your favorite quote, a name, a cartoon... if you can dream it, it can be JackBacked!

12.) The Scoodie

With the first blast of arctic air that arrived just after Thanksgiving, I began seeking out knitted headwear for trekking around the urban outdoors.  Introducing: The Scoodie. This knitted hood paired with your favorite peacoat creates a warm, stylish addition to your winter wardrobe. I spotted this at Crafty Supermarket and regret not snatching it up. Anyone want to knit me one?

13.) Domestica Ornament

Another darling gift that my roommate received was this ornament of a Domestica Magazine. Published locally, Domestica is Cincinnati's newest monthly magazine about area boutiques, non-profits, and eateries. Written like a letter from a close friend and filled with catalogue-style pictures, the articles create photographic memoirs about the Queen City. For only $40, twelve issues of Domestica can be a staple on your coffee table for 2013.

14.) Wallet w/ Fortune Holder

Tired of leaving your fortune cookie notes at the restaurant or floating in the bottom of your purse? This line of wallets designed by Alison Rose features a display pouch for your fortunes, as well as many other handy features sought out in a money handler: zipper change pouch, dollar compartment, and plenty of slots for credit cards. Combined with a wide selection of two-toned prints, these wallets come in styles for both gals and guys.

15.) Aerial Map of Cincinnati in 1900

Hand-tinted and etched by Alternate Histories, this map of the city features all the historic icons of Cincinnati in 1900: steamboats, churches, railroads, seven rolling hills, and Clancy the Ohio River octopus.

16.) Gingerbread Waffles

Taste of Belgium's seasonal waffles have been a hit with my friends from out-of-state, especially the gingerbread variety they cooked up for winter. These delightful baked goods made their way to Switzerland, Toronto, and Boston for the holidays, as well as a pack that stayed close to home which I enjoyed for breakfast on Christmas morning.

17.) Cincinnati / OTR Dishtowels

If you've walked with me through MiCA 12/v,  then you've heard me gush about the Cincinnati and Over The Rhine dishtowels from VisuaLingual. Printed with lettering found from the 19th century, these swanky towels come in a variety of colors including my favorites: teal and neon yellow.


18.) Cincinnati Symphony Scarf

One of my first purchases of the holiday season was an elegant, cozy soft scarf from Music Hall. It immediately caught my eye as a present for my friend Nell, who is a music teacher. Offered at The Bravo Shop in a variety of colors, this gift will warm the hearts and necks of your favorite musician. 

19.) Silverware Ornaments

Forks aren't just for the dinner table anymore! BB Studio showed off their handcrafted silverware ornaments at The City Flea, an extension of their jewelry line that includes necklaces, bracelets, and earrings made from utensils. Each of these distorted forks clasped a shimmering glass ball, a perfect compliment to any festive Evergreen.

20.) Wooden Ohio Coasters

Finally, my favorite Crafty Supermarket splurge allowed me to lay my Ohio pride right out on the table. This set of four wooden coasters from Wholly Craft! are designed from five types of wood and create a stylish accent in the home of any urbanista.

FOUNTAIN SQUARE TREE LIGHTING

No better way to cap of the Thanksgiving weekend is with the holiday tree lighting at Fountain Square. The 60-foot Evergreen was wrapped with over 20,000 lights and kicked off a series of winter festivities Downtown.

In addition to the tree lighting, which was put on by Macy's, visitors could skate with Santa on the U.S. Bank Ice Rink, shop at CinciDeutsch's Christkindlmarkt, and receive goodie bags from Procter & Gamble including tissues, shampoo, tooth brushes and pet food.

Lighting the tree on Fountain Square.

CINCIDEUTSCH CHRISTKINDLMARKT

The first-ever German Christmas Market debuted on Fountain Square this weekend. Presented by Cincideutsch, the Christkindlmarkt featured authentic hardwood market booths and offered the Queen City with a traditional German town square shopping experience. 

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.