Back for their 22nd Christmas Season , Kris Kringle Kaus will be opening October First in a return engagement in the same location as last year : Ravinia Plaza in Orland Park on La Grange Road . This should make it easier for last year's customers to find the store , and it helps make the massive setup less rigorous for the owners .

Most well known for importing wonderful craft items direct from Europe , Kris Kringle Haus has always carried a good selection of American made creations . Over the years some of our suppliers have gone out of business , shipped production overseas , or dropped Christmas lines , reducing the availabilty of American products . For the last few years the owners have been making a determined search for any remaining manufacturers still working in the USA . After having decent success over the last couple of years , this year Kris Kringle Haus has hit the mother lode : over a dozen new American craft houses !

The biggest surprise was stumbling on Nutcrackers USA ,Ginger Cottages , a Virginia based company that makes wooden nutcrackers ( of course ! ) , smokers ( incense burners ) and little wooden cottage ornaments that you hang on your tree and light from inside with one of your tree's lights you slip through an ingenious little hole in the floor . The workmanship and quality is so excellent that one of their nutcrackers was featured on a United States Postal Service 42 cent stamp ! How did we ever miss that ???

Then , there is Sister RuthAnn of David Appalachian Crafts , a cooperative that is an offshoot of St. Vincent Mission . Their aim is to preserve traditional Appalachian handcrafts, while also providing a means of support for over 60 skilled artisans . Their efforts allow these folks to remain close to their roots , and make a modest living . Of course , everything is hand-made and the selection runs from quilted ornaments , to decorated gourds , and hand sewn decorations . All of their items are truly unique , and speak to the handcrafts our ancestors practiced .

Kris Kringle Haus has also run down an old supplier that had dropped below the horizon, so to speak : Belsnickle . (You might think that Kris Kringle and Belsnickle are cousins of a sort , but that is a different story!) This Belsnickle is a Pennsylvania based company that makes traditional brass sleigh bells on genuine leather straps . There are unique door hangers , and fancier belts and straps . Their sound will put a twinkle in your eyes !

Jim and Cleo Gierucki , the owners , visited Lancaster , Pennsylvania and a wholesale warehouse that specialized in carrying only American made items , the vast majority being made locally . Most of the local crafters just happen to be Amish , Pennsylvania Dutch , and Mennonites , folks who take immense pride in their handiwork , and it really shows ! WOW! The products runa broad spectrum from gourd Santas , wooden signs , ornaments , and much more .

There are also wooden ornaments made in Spring Green Wisconsin , exquisite new hand carved Santas , glass ornaments , corn husk angels , and more ; all made right here in the good 'ol USA !

For over twenty years Kris Kringle Haus has been bringing the finest Christmas items made in Europe , in the very countries where these Christmas traditions began , to you, right here in Orland Park , and at prices significantly less than you would pay for them in Europe itself . Not neglecting this heritage , several new additions have been made to your choices . There will be a great assortment of all things Pinocchio , and made in Italy : figurines , ornaments , pencils , you name it ! A second Polish glass ornament maker was found . Wiktoria makes exquisitely detailed , and wonderfully decorated glass , reminding one of Radko's old work . A new lace maker has been added to the lineup as well . As usual , all of our regular manufacturers have outdone themselves with the creativity of their new introductions !

Karla Steinbach will be returning on Sunday December Fourth . Karla is the sixth Steinbach to head Germany's largest , and best known creator of nutcrackers , smokers, and wooden ornaments . Please come and welcome our guest , and she will personally sign any Steinbach purchased this day . Check our website : www.kriskringlehaus.com , "events" to find the times , as they were not known as of this writing .

KRIS KRINGLE HAUS
15210 LA GRANGE ROAD
ORLAND PARK , ILLINOIS

PHONE 708 364 9860
EMAIL : KRINGLE@INIL.COM
WWW.KRISKRINGLEHAUS.COM

HOURS :
Monday - Friday 10:00AM to 9:00PM
Saturday 10:00AM to 6:00PM
Sunday Noon to 5:00PM

Kris Kringle Haus will be closed for Thanksgiving , Christmas , and New Year's Day .
The last day open will be January 8th .