Best Places For Unique Christmas Ornaments In Minnesota
There's so much to do and so little time to do it. Hopefully, these five enterprises will give you an edge on where to go for the best unique Christmas ornaments in Minnesota. See the 2012 "Best Places To Start Your Holiday Decoration Shopping In Minnesota" for even more ideas.
Cut Your Own Minnesota-Grown Tree
Minnesota Department of Agriculture
www.mda.state.mn.us
Start your Christmas ornaments collection with a tree. What better way to start than to choose from 500,000 live Christmas trees available to cut yourself? The Minnesota Department of Agriculture provides an online Directory of "Christmas tree farms and farmer-owned tree lots throughout Minnesota." Go to the link above for quick access to tree farms, website links and driving directions. MDA encourages you to buy a local tree, benefiting the local economy and keeping your dollars working at home.
General Store of Minnetonka
14401 Highway 7
Minnetonka, MN 55345
(952) 935-7131
www.generalstoreofminnetonka.com
Get a Christopher Radko heirloom designed exclusively for the General Store of Minnetonka. Radko ornaments have adorned trees in the White House, decked out the Kennedy Center and are found in the personal collections of many celebrities. From hand-blown glass to ornaments made from clay, the General Store of Minnetonka has assembled a selection of Christmas ornaments that is without comparison. Pick out a cell phone for your teenage niece, a fisherman for your husband and even a bone for your favorite canine. These are among the hundreds of different styles in an assortment of price ranges.
Related: Best Holiday Craft Ideas From Minnesota Artist Heather Peterson
The Carriage House/Gift Shop
Alexander Ramsey House
265 S. Exchange St.
St Paul, MN 55102
(651) 296-8760
www.sites.mnhs.org
When heritage and tradition is imperative, the Carriage House at The Alexander Ramsey House goes unrivaled. Find European glass ornaments, traditional kugels and dresdens and many other unique Victorian-era Christmas ornaments. Look also for distinguishing gift items such as keepsakes, books and exclusive Ramsey House brass ornaments during the holiday season.
Callister's Christmas
Mall of America
60 E. Broadway
Bloomington, MN 55425
(952) 854-5292
www.mallofamerica.com
You may have walked by the Callister's Christmas booth at the Minnesota State Fair when more interested in savoring the mustard on your Pronto Pup. Now that the season is upon us, Callister's is offering a newly opened seasonal Christmas store at the Mall of America, where you can find not only a large collection of ornaments, but florals. gifts, collectibles and other home decor for the holidays. This family-owned business is from New Berlin, Wisconsin.
The Hearts and Ivy Collection
3112 W. 28th St.
Minneapolis, MN 55416
(612) 925-6997
www.heartsandivy.com
While these items are not available for direct purchase, it is nice to know we have a fabulous collection of holiday cheer right in south Minneapolis where designer Donna Hamilton and a team of 25 women create new Christmas ornament styles every year. The Hearts and Ivy Collection has created 70 different styles since 1973. Donna sells her fabulous collections at retail trade shows, which included AmericasMart Atlanta and New York International Gift Fair this past year.
Related: Best Florists In Minnesota To Get A Holiday Poinsettia
Robin Johnson was born in Annandale, Minn. and graduated from Richfield High School and then the University of Minnesota where he studied Political Science, Business and Industrial Relations. A writer for Examiner.com, he also consults with a variety of organizations and individuals helping them develop and grow. His work can be found at Examiner.com.