The Carmel Christkindlmarkt strives to keep the old world Christkindlmarkt traditions alive with all of our different food and drink vendors. Here are some of the items you would see at a traditional market in Germany and can find right here at our market in Carmel, Indiana.
At the Carmel Christkindlmarkt, we strive to preserve cherished traditions. We showcase genuine artisans and offer exclusive and authentic German gifts and crafts, paying homage to the timelessness of these creations.
The "Schwibbogen," a decorative candle holder, originated in the Ore Mountains region of Saxony, Germany. Initially crafted entirely from forged black ore, these candle arches were made in one piece and can be painted. Today, most of these pieces are meticulously carved from wood.
Hailing from the folklore and traditions of Germany's Ore Mountains region, Christmas pyramids, known as "Weihnachtspyramide," serve as festive decorations. The warmth generated by the candles placed on their lowest level causes the air to rise, spinning the carousel above.
Nutcracker dolls, or Christmas nutcrackers, are decorative figurines most commonly made to resemble toy soldiers. In German tradition, the dolls are symbols of good luck and scare away evil spirits.
Germany is renowned for its iconic cuckoo clocks. These clocks are traditionally crafted with intricate designs and feature a small door that opens on the hour, revealing a cuckoo bird that "cuckoos" to mark the time.
The Herrnhuter Sterne, also known as the Moravian star, is a popular illuminated decoration used during the Advent, Christmas, and Epiphany seasons. Originating in Germany, it has gained popularity in regions of America and Europe where Moravian congregations reside.
The first incense smoker was crafted in Heidelberg around 1850. Originally made from dough, these smokers have evolved to incorporate contemporary motifs and Santa Claus. Woodturning remains the primary technique employed in their production.
For centuries, Germany has had a tradition of creating intricate hand-carved wooden or blown glass ornaments as Christmas decorations. Another beloved practice is hand-painting eggs with elaborate patterns and vibrant colors.
Classic, hand-painted beer steins, known as Bierkrüge, embody German craftsmanship and tradition.
In Bavaria, Germany, hand-carving nativities have been a cherished tradition for centuries. The woodcarvers of Oberammergau, in particular, are renowned for their exceptional skill and artistry in crafting these nativity scenes.
At the Carmel Christkindlmarkt, we celebrate the legacy of German culture through an array of authentic traditional foods and drinks created by dedicated and highly-skilled artisans, both locally and from abroad.
Hand-rolled traditional German pretzels are known as the Laugenbrezel. Enjoy these in various ways: Bavarian-style pretzels, giant pretzels, and with dips.
Wurst is a German specialty sausage and a popular cuisine. Germany takes pride in offering the most extensive selection of wurst, boasting over 1,500 diverse varieties to savor.
Raclette, a traditional Swiss-German dish with a centuries-old history, involves melting a large round of semi-hard cheese and scraping it onto plates. It is typically accompanied by bread and charcuterie.
Lebkuchen, a classic German cookie frequently prepared for Christmas, is comparable to a gentle gingerbread cookie. It is made with warm spices and molasses.
In Germany, potato pancakes, known as Kartoffelpuffer, are made by grating or grinding potatoes, mixing them with seasonings, and pan-frying them until golden. They are served plain or accompanied by either sweet or savory toppings.
These crispy potato spirals on skewers are a delectable German snack. They are coated with seasonings and then deep-fried, creating a delightful combination of flavors and textures.
This boneless ham undergoes a meticulous process of brine-curing and stewing before being pit-smoked over an open wood fire. It is also known as “Prague Ham.”
Döner Kebab is a popular German street food. It features rotisserie-cooked meat shaved onto bread, accompanied by various toppings, and garnished with a sauce.
Käsespätzle is a German take on macaroni and cheese, featuring homemade noodles coated in a creamy, cheesy sauce and topped with crispy onions.
A traditional German treat, light and airy doughnut holes are made from a lemon-vanilla batter and fried until golden and puffed.
Stroopwafels are a delightful pastry of two crisp, thin waffle wafers filled with a center, most commonly a delectable caramel center.
Baumstriezel, known as chimney cakes, are cone-shaped pastries roasted until golden and crispy. They are then coated with sugar, cinnamon, or nuts for flavor.
These soft and thick Belgian waffles are handmade with yeast-raised dough and include chunks of sugar pearls that caramelize during the cooking process, forming a crispy crust on top.
Belgian hot chocolate is created using melted dark and milk chocolate imported from Belgium. This chocolate is known for its high quality and rich flavor. The hot chocolate has a thicker consistency and less sweetness than traditional hot chocolate.
German's traditional homemade hot beverage, Glühwein, is crafted by heating sweet red wine and infusing it with a delightful blend of aromatic spices.
Mulled beer is known as "Glühbier," a traditional beverage typically made with dark, malty beers in Germany. The process involves heating the beer and infusing it with fruit juice, a shot of a strong spirit, and a selection of spices.
The tradition of Christmas markets stretches back to Saxony, Germany during the Middle Ages. Throughout the centuries, the joys of these markets has spread from town to town and around the world – including all the way to Carmel, Indiana.
“Chistkindlmarkt” literally translates to “Christ Child Market,” in reference to the Christkind. The Christkind is the traditional gift-giver on Christmas Eve in parts of Germany and in many German-speaking countries in Europe, dating back to the Reformation.
Christkindlmarkts feature a delightful blend of holiday food, drinks, gifts and decorations. Various regions of Germany became well-known for their hand-crafted Christmas decorations, woodworking, artwork, or textiles. Today, millions of people enjoy Germany's Christmas markets each year.
Inspired by the traditional German Christmas decoration called the "Weihnachtspyramide" or Christmas Pyramid, these life size versions of the Christmas Pyramid have a rich history and tradition at the Christmas markets in Germany.
Fun Facts about our Pyramid...
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