From Germany – Day 5

Tuesday, Dec 8

It’s a good thing that we “rested” yesterday because today was a long one.  We made a full day excursion to Nuremberg to visit that city’s famed Christmas market.  The city also boasts a national Doll and Toy Museum.

We’ll make a daytrip to Nuremberg to enjoy the historic town center and the world’s most famous Christmas Market. Here we may also visit the town’s fabulous Doll and Toy Museum, as well as the German National Museum’s extensive Doll and Toy Collection.  Dinner and overnight at our hotel in Rothenburg o. d. Tauber.

Villa Mittermeier
Vorm Würzburger Tor 7+9
91541 Rothenburg ob der Tauber, Germany
Tel: +49 (0) 98 61 / 94 54 – 0
Fax: +49 (0) 98 61 / 94 54 – 94
www.villamittermeier.de
info@villamittermeier.de

From Germany – Day 4

Monday, Dec 7

We had a leisurely day in Rothenburg o. d. Tauber. After yesterday’s action-packed itinerary, this is just what we all needed. The city is a Christmas shopper’s paradise. If you can’t find it here, you must not be a serious shopper!

The city is home to Käthe Wohlfahrt’s Christmas Village and museum. Käthe’s son Harold runs things now. He’s a member of the Golden Glow and certainly appreciates Germany’s contribution in the ornament world. The museum is amazing … at least to an ornament aficionado like me!

The city’s Christmas market is small but quite nice. It’s all the wonderful shops surrounding the square that make this city such a special destination for Christmas shoppers.

Where we are staying (outside of the city’s walls):

December 6 – 9, 2009
Villa Mittermeier
Vorm Würzburger Tor 7+9
91541 Rothenburg ob der Tauber, Germany
Tel: +49 (0) 98 61 / 94 54 – 0
Fax: +49 (0) 98 61 / 94 54 – 94
www.villamittermeier.de
info@villamittermeier.de

From Germany – Day 3

Sunday, Dec 6

After breakfast from the buffet at our cozy castle, we boarded the motor coach for Ulm’s extensive Christmas Market. Each city or town’s market seems to have a character of its very own. I think that’s what makes visiting Germany at this time of year so very special. We are seeing a variety of Christmas goodies — everything from mass produced items from China and India to the truly handcrafted. The local Christmas markets are also fund raising opportunities for local organizations. So, think church bazaars! Ladies (& even some gentlemen) from your local church labor for months making special Christmas-Time goodies and baking holiday treats. We saw lots of that here, too. Very endearing! And, it’s such a positive to be spending one’s tourist Euros to help local organizations. Think county and state fairs, too! There are LOTS of food & beverage vendors. People seem to love to eat and drink regardless of their origin. I have not been successful in inducing Melvin to try the local Gutwein (mulled hot wine) but I do love the ceramic mugs that it comes in! Now, that’s something to collect! Each city and village seems to have its own signature mug, sold to support the local Christkindlemarkt. I’ll bet if you search eBay, you can find some!

Tonight, we are staying in Rothenburg, aka shopper’s paradise! It’s the home of Kathe Wolfhart. You might know her ornaments from the internet. Before arriving at this rebuilt city (it looks just like a fairy tale!), we traveled north with stops at he exquisite Käthe Kruse Doll Museum, as well as the famous Steiff Museum (teddy bears and other stuffed toys). I promise images later. These stops might not have featured ornaments, but they were absolutely incredible!

Where we are staying (outside of the city’s walls):

December 6 – 9, 2009
Villa Mittermeier
Vorm Würzburger Tor 7+9
91541 Rothenburg ob der Tauber, Germany
Tel: +49 (0) 98 61 / 94 54 – 0
Fax: +49 (0) 98 61 / 94 54 – 94
www.villamittermeier.de
info@villamittermeier.de

The “O” List Features Thomas Glenn Glass Ornament

Hot Pink Camo and Christmas Camo are both sold out BUT Thomas Glenn will produce them again in 2010.

I will be in Germany through December 13 and unable to ship until after my return.

Hot Pink Cammo
Hot Pink Cammo

The artist Thomas Glenn puts his personal touch on every detail of his extraordinary product line. Each ornament begins with an inspiration and is sketched on paper to perfection. Upon completion of his design, Thomas creates a hand carved model for the master mold making process. Each ornament is then hand-made, one-by-one, under his direction in Europe. Thomas holds a Master Degree in Painting and he is one of the first trompe l’oeil artists. His extensive career in home decor has led him to develop his collection and to be named the”Haute Couture designer of Christmas”. His ornaments have been featured on the Good Morning America show and in national publications including House and Garden and Domino magazines.

To visit the Thomas Glenn web site, please click here. In arrangement with Mr. Glenn, Celebrate365 may special order any ornaments collectors view on the designer’s web site. Please use the contact tab above to inquire about placing a special order.

To view Thomas Glenn ornaments currently in stock, please click here.

Christmas Cammo from Thomas Glenn
Christmas Cammo from Thomas Glenn
Same great design!

Christmas Cammo blends shades of holiday green with vibrant sapphire blue, gold and red.

$26 from the Thomas Glenn Collection

Click here to order!

Other Unique Designs from Thomas Glenn

New Glitter
New Glitter

Orange Blossom
Orange Blossom

Glossy Crazy Quilt
Glossy Crazy Quilt


New Glitter Contempo

Be bold! Reminiscent of Thomas Glenn’s original canvases, this 120 mm ball shouts “Notice me!” The satin fuchsia ball pops with irregular rings of glittered color. It’s a very contemporary design suitable for display as a work of art throughout the year.

Orange Blossom

With its metallics and jewel tones, Orange Blossom mixes traditional floral motifs with 21st century colors and technology. Traditional silver glitter defines the silver and blue flower designs. If you look closely, you spot the tiny gold micro beads that ornament the other areas of the overall pattern. It’s a stunning addition to any collection.

Glossy Crazy Quilt

The vibrant colors in this crazy quilt design will draw holiday visitors for a closer look. The individual “patchwork” scraps are edged with bright white glitter. Overall, the ball is finished with a light kiss of shimmery mica, guaranteed to reflect the tree lights. Enjoy this contemporary interpretation of an American classic.

Still Want More? Thomas Glenn Collection … Contemporary Optics

Oh Happy Day!
Oh Happy Day!

Ebony Ball with White Stripe
Ebony Ball with White Stripe

Pearl Ball with back glitter bursts.
Pearl Ball with back glitter bursts.