7 Northwoods Shops That Will Make Your Home Merry & Bright for the Holidays

It’s that time of year when northern Wisconsin and Upper Peninsula Michigan look just like a holiday card. Picture our winding lanes meandering through dense forests of emerald evergreens and our charming downtown shops all alive with anticipation of their upcoming holiday open houses. These magical scenes are an inspiration to start decorating our own homes for the holidays. Whether you live in the Northwoods year-round or you would like to bring some Northwoods holiday spirit back with you to your home elsewhere, northern Wisconsin and Upper Peninsula Michigan offer so many enchanting shops that will help make your home replete with holiday cheer all season long. Here are but a few.

The Christmas Chalet – Minocqua

The Christmas Chalet has been supplying abundant Christmas spirit to Minocqua patrons for more than 40 years. This shop is open from May to January and, as its name suggests, specializes in Christmas gifts and seasonal interior decor. Walking through the shop is a true feel-good experience; No matter what time of year you visit, you’ll find yourself perusing the decor with a childlike wonder and excitement for Christmas.

Swanson’s Big Red Barn – Niagara

A trip to Swanson’s Big Red Barn is not at all a perfunctory shopping trip. It’s a wonderful holiday tradition for the whole family. The Grand Opening Event is today, Saturday, November 16, from 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. After the special event, the Big Red Barn will be open for the season on Black Friday from 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. and then Saturdays (9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.) and Sundays (10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.) until Christmas. Search for charming seasonal decorations and the perfect gifts for family and friends in the charming heated barn and Santa’s Loft. There are tons of fun activities to keep your kids merry and jolly. Don’t forget to stop in the new Sweet Shop to stock up on treats for your holiday guests.

Exclusively Christmas – Wausau

What a beautiful collection of timeless glass ornaments, intricate crystal snowflakes, candles, holiday greenery, and elegant trimmings! Exclusively Christmas is the place to go for fine Christmas decorations. Whether you want your home to be resplendent with elegant holiday decor or you are searching for something specific for your special themed Christmas tree, Exclusively Christmas will help you turn your holiday decorating dreams into reality.

Wink’s Woods Gift Shop – Crystal Falls, Michigan

With over 400 consignors, Wink’s Woods has thousands of interesting items for sale throughout the year. But the holiday season is an especially delightful time to explore Wink’s Woods, as they offer an enormous variety of holiday home accessories and decor. The holiday open house will be taking place this weekend, November 15 to 17. Santa will arrive on November 16 and will be in the shop from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Kids’ crafts and horse wagon rides will make this a fun shopping experience for the whole family.

Ann Marie’s – Minocqua

For true lovers of holiday decorating, it’s not just a few strings of lights and a tree draped with baubles and done. No, holiday decorating for some comes down to the finer details: a special candlestick, an intentionally curated scene on the mantle, and pottery and dishes taken out just for the season. If that is your kind of holiday decorating, plan a trip to Ann Marie’s in Minocqua. The shop is stocked with holiday finery—from Simon Pearce’s beautiful glass evergreen trees to Couleur Nature’s quality French tablecloths to Gmundner Keramik’s festive wine glasses and cheeseboards—that will add a special touch to your holiday decor.

To The Nines – Manitowish Waters

At To The Nines, they understand that decorating for the holidays isn’t just about creating a festive-looking home. To truly get into the holiday spirit, you must also experience the scents, textures, and flavors of the season. As such, in addition to the top-quality ornaments and lights, To The Nines also offers candles and lotions with seasonal scents such as Fraser fir, delicious sauces and spreads from Stonewall Kitchen to compliment your holiday treats, plaid mugs perfect for holding your hot cocoa, and beautiful hooked pillows featuring pinecones, snowflakes, and other seasonal scenes.

Annie’s Woolens – Eagle River (Online Shop)

If you are looking for customized Christmas stockings to hang on your mantle or fine tree skirts, visit Annie’s Woolens online shop. Each wool stocking is hand-knit or hand-sewn with the finest materials and a great level of care and personalized to your wishes. The result is a decoration so beautiful you’ll have a hard time putting it away in January!