Before I had my own family I spent holidays at an idyllic Victorian home overlooking the St Croix River in Stillwater. Being at that beautiful home, with its warm hosts, wonderful smells and holiday trappings, I felt nearly like royalty. One-nineteen Cherry Street was to me what Tiffany & Company was to Holly Golightly: I felt nothing bad could happen there.

After Grandma Sue died and the house was sold, it became apparent that the Cherry Street holidays died with her. Since then I've been asking myself how I can best recreate that Cherry Street Christmas feeling for my family. So for my pleasure and yours I have assembled a list of old-fashioned, homey holiday events in Minnesota (suggestions welcome -I will gladly add them to this list ):

VICTORIAN CHRISTMAS AT THE HISTORIC COURTHOUSE
STILLWATER
NOV 20-22

The holidays begin at the Victorian Christmas event in the elegant 1870s Historic Courthouse in Stillwater. A beautifully decorated building, high-quality arts and fine crafts, a Tea Room, live music and costumed volunteers and vendors combine to create a vision of an elegant, old-fashioned holiday celebration. Bring your camera for pictures with a Victorian Santa and get a start on your holiday shopping with unique, handmade gifts. All proceeds from the event go to the restoration and operation of this historic site.

Price: Friday Nov 20, 6:30 - 9pm is a preview with champagne, appetizers and desserts for $25; Sat 10am - 5pm $3; Sun 11am - 4pm $3

101 West Pine Street
Stillwater, MN 55082
651-275-7075
historiccourthouse@co.washington.mn.us
 

RED WING HOLIDAY STROLL
RED WING MAIN STREET DOWNTOWN
NOV 27

Red Wing presents the quintessential hometown family holiday celebration with FREE activites! Friday Nov. 27 Red Wing is transformed with festivities beginning at 4pm-8 pm. Santa & Mrs. Claus arrive in grand style with reindeer, FREE family fun includes chili sampling,lighted parade at 6pm, live nativity, horse drawn carriage rides,roasted chestnuts & almonds, prizes, refreshments &treats,carolers, and spectacular fireworks at 7 pm.

Price: FREE

Downtown Red Wing
Red Wing, MN 55066
(651) 385-5934
visitorscenter@redwing.org


MY SWEDISH GINGERBREAD HOUSE
SWEDISH INSTITUTE
NOV 29 2-4pm

Bring your family to the American Swedish Institute to celebrate the season with the sweet smell of pepparkakor (gingerbread)! Learn about how Swedes prepare for the coming of Christmas with baking, candles and home decorating.Each family will receive one pre-assembled plain pepparkakshus (gingerbread house), along with candy decorations. You are invited to set your creativity alight! The cost is $15 ASI members,$20 nonmembers.(Just one house per family, please.) Space is limited and advance registration is required. Please call 612-871-4907 to sign up.

Price: $20 nonmembers, $15 MNHS members

Swedish Institute
2600 Park Avenue
Minneapolis, Minnesota, 55407
612-871-4907


OLD FASHIONED HOLIDAY BAZAAR
ST PAUL LANDMARK CENTER
DEC 3-5

My favorite Victorian Christmas event is the Landmark Center Old Fashioned Holiday Bazaar. It will only set you back a few dollars and it's well worth being surrounded by a feeling that is best described as Norman Rockwell. Beautiful handmade goods abound. Carolers serenade you as you are surrounded by the smell of cranberries and cider. The bazaar contains an amazing assortment of peer-reviewed (a.k.a. not junk) local products in an amazing variety. Out the windows are ice skaters in Rice Park and the white lights that decorate the courtyard. It's an aesthetic taste of heaven.

Price: $3



VICTORIAN SANTA CLAUS
ALEXANDER RAMSEY HOUSE
DEC 12, 10:30am - 2:30pm
 
Head to the Carriage House to meet a Victorian-era Santa Claus. At the top of each hour from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. listen in as Santa Claus reads from the 1823 poem, "Twas the Night Before Christmas." Before and after the readings, children can make their own ornaments and tell Santa what they would like for Christmas. Parents are encouraged to bring a camera to take their own photos. Optional tour of the mansion included.

Price:$9 adults, $7 seniors and college students, $6 children ages 6 to17, $3children ages 5 and under; $2 discount for MHS members

Alexander Ramsey House
265 S. Exchange St.
St. Paul, MN 55102
651-296-8760
ramseyhouse@mnhs.org


CHRISTMAS DINNER AND HOLIDAY CELEBRATION
GERMAN AMERICAN INSTITUTE
DEC 12 5-9PM

The annual beloved GAI Christmas Dinner will be held on Saturday,December12th. Once again, we will be hosting the Christmas program before dinner in order for families with young children to attend. Please note, there will be fewer vendors at the Christmas Dinner this year, as they will instead be attending the Open Haus in November.

Christmas Dinner Schedule:

5:00 Christmas Program in the ballroom
6:00 Social Hour
6:30 Dinner (menu TBA)
8:30 Community sing-along

*Seats in the ballroom for the Christmas Program will be available on a first-come, first-served basis.  Please note, when making dinner reservations, please let the office know

• The number of GAI members, non-members, and children in your party
• If you would like to be seated with another party and their name
• Where you would prefer to be seated (main floor or Ratskeller). Seating preferences subject to availability.  Make your reservation early in order to state your preference!

Price: $27 nonmembers, $10 children


ENGLISH CHRISTMAS
OUTING LODGE
DEC 12

Fireplaces,candles and other decorations surround you at this country Edwardian estate in Stillwater, Minnesota. Sleigh rides will be at 6pm, so hopefully the weather will stay above freezing.

Price: $180 per couple or $90 per single

Menu:
Consumme Celestine
Lobster and Mushroom Salad
Prime Rib with Horseradish Cream
Brussel Sprouts and Parsnips with Roast Potato
English Cheese Plate
English Trifle
Wines with dinner and Cash Bar

Outing Lodge
11661 Myeron Road N.
Stillwater, Minnesota 55082
651-439-9747
info@outinglodge.com

 

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