PITTSBURGH (KDKA) – A 16th century Christmas market in Germany has had a renaissance in Market Square.

It’s the People’s Gas Holiday Market.

One of the most popular stops is the Old German Christmas Shop.

Santa Claus has set up shop in a Market Square chalet and he has a lot of company in this temporary European village.

“Kris Kringle is part of Christkindlemarket, a European Christmas tradition that began in Nuremburg, Germany, back in 1545.

Lines form at Hausdorfer’s Old German Christmas, where Mario Hausdorfer continues an ornament crafting tradition that dates back five generations.

“My dad was a glassblower. My grandma painted the things. My great-grandfather was a glass blower,” Hausdorfer said.

It’s an old-world tradition, but Kitty Hricenak’s grandsons have new world taste.

“One plays football and the other one plays baseball, and I always get them special ornaments at Christmas. But these are really special because they’re hand-blown by this gentleman so I know who made them,” Hricenak said.

Patty Zupanc found the perfect gift for her son.

“He has a December birthday, so that’s always his birthday gift, a nutcracker. But, we always look for the German ones because of the quality. His quality is beautiful,” Zupanc said.

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