Nov. 06--Clear some space on your mantel -- Chicago's iconic Christkindlmarket boot mug is back.
But the market's organizers -- who come up with a different collectible mug design every year -- have toyed with collectors' emotions in recent years, taking the boot-shaped mug out of their rotation in 2013 and 2014 and replacing it with boring mug-shaped mugs.
Now fans' long, awful wait for footwear-based holiday drinking is over. For the market's 20th anniversary, organizers have returned to the classic boot design.
This year's mug is white but, for the first time for a Chicago Christmas boot, has a red painted interior.
"They're quite coveted," said Maren Biester Priebe, managing director of the Christkindlmarket. "This is a Chicago Christmas tradition."
A snowman mug is also available for kids' drinks, Biester Priebe said.
Chicagoans reacted with excitement Friday on social media to the boot mug's return. "It's a Christmas miracle!" fan Rachel Petty tweeted.
The traditional market, which features German ethnic crafts and foods served from timbered huts, recreates the Christmas markets seen across Germany and runs until Christmas Eve. A suburban market will run in Oak Brook from Nov. 27.
Oak Brook gets it own boot mug, emblazoned with the words "Frohe Weihnachten" -- German for "Merry Christmas."
kjanssen@tribpub.com
