A Cherry Good Holiday

When the snow starts to fall gently, it leaves a coat of white frosting on the trees. When the holiday lights twinkle in downtown Traverse City. When we seek a reason to curl up with a good book and sip a warm hot toddy. That’s when your thoughts may turn to starting to shop for those special holiday gifts. Whether you live in Traverse City or long for your next trip to this special place, there are unique ideas for presents that are made here or reflect the beauty of the region. 

Since this is the Cherry Capital of the World, your first thought may be, can I get something from Traverse City with cherries? The answer is, “Yeah, Baby!” There’s a bunch of cherry options. The first stop may be the Cherry Republic, how can you miss with over 200 cherry products that can be bought online or in their stores? If cherry crumb pie or Michigan berry pie makes your mouth water, then consider the Pie of the Month Club from Grand Traverse Pie Company. You can ship pies directly to the door for three, six months, or an entire year.

Keeping with the agricultural theme, a bottle of award-winning wine from the Traverse Wine Coast could tempt all the appropriate taste buds. With nearly 50 wineries producing reds, whites, and sparkling wines, you’re sure to tingle the imagination of any wine connoisseur. For a special treat, consider sending a bottle of Ice Wine. Since its production requires freezing temperatures for harvesting, not all wine regions can produce this dessert offering. Some that normally carry ice wine include Chateau Chantal, Black Star Farms, Brys Estate, Chateau Grand Traverse, 45 North Winery, Mari Vineyards, French Valley Vineyard, and Bel Lago Winery. Another twist on dessert wine is the Essenza Dell’Albero Maple Wine from Mari Vineyards. It uses estate maple sugar trees and ages the wine for a year., think of it as maple candy in a glass. If you plan on shipping wine, be aware there can be restrictions in some states and countries. Work with your favorite winery in advance to see where you can legally send the bottles.

Wine is not the only thoughtful beverage gift. Shipping spirits that are uniquely from Traverse City is an option. Keep the flavor of the region with American Cherry Whiskey, Michigan Apple, or Lakeside Peach at Traverse City Whiskey. You may need to include a jar of Premium Cocktail Cherries. Grand Traverse Distillery keeps up the cherry theme with Cherry Vodka or Cherry Whiskey. From a recipe that dates back to filling Mason jars with cherries, sugar, and spice, Mammoth Distilling creates a Cherry Bounce that fits perfectly for the holiday season. 

Warming up on a cool winter day by snuggling into luxurious, comfortable clothing or accessories is another ideal Christmas gift idea. A different twist to this is to consider hats, gloves, scarves, and even blankets made from Alpacas. This is considered warmer than sheep’s wool, lighter, and more moisture resistant. Several farms around Traverse City not only allow you to feed and admire these cute, fluffy animals but also enjoy the comfort of their soft fur made into sought-after fiber. Check out Cotton Creek Farms, Crystal Lake Alpaca Boutique, and Rainbow Valley Family Farm. 

Clothing options can include a wide array of t-shirts that extoll the northern Michigan lifestyle. That style includes hiking adventures, water activities, and quiet moments soaking up the natural beauty. High Five Threads, has a series of shits for anyone who uses their left hand to show where they live in Michigan. A popular t-shirt style is their Michigan Hands shirt, which displays the upper and lower peninsula with hands. M-22 takes the iconic scenic route in Benzie and Leelanau Counties and turns that road into the adventures found in our natural resources.

Gift certificates can be popular and personal. Dining high above Traverse City from the 16th floor of Aerie Restaurant creates a culinary experience. A relaxing getaway at the award-winning Crystal Mountain Spa is always a treat. There are dozens of lodging retreats with thousands of rooms available in the region, but how about watching the snow fall from a luxury geodesic domed room at Silver Birch Resort? The beauty of these gift cards is they can be used whenever you are ready to take advantage of them.  

Gift cards are also a great option for the kids. It can be their passport to learn about the Great Lakes or explore the arts and sciences. Watch their imaginations catch on fire with gift certificates from Cognition in Benzie County, the Great Lakes Children’s Museum, or the Dennos Museum at Northwestern Michigan College. And if you want to foster that creativity even more think about a holiday shopping spree for the kids at Underground Toys. Located at the Village at Grand Traverse Commons, you’ll find toys that emphasize science, technology, engineering, art, and math. If you’re just looking for a fun outing with the kids you can get day passes at the Great Wolf Lodge.

Other gift ideas can include fragrances from Traverse City Candles. You may consider locally designed pillows, textiles, and kitchenware using sustainable products at Eelo. Or think about gifts that can have a lasting impact on the region and provide your own personal adventure. That includes a sailing adventure that combines Eco-Tourism aboard an Inland Seas Education Association ship. Shop online for products that support the TART Trail system, including shirts, bike bells, hats, and tote bags. And it’s not too early to buy concert tickets for the National Cherry Festival.

The gift options are limitless. You can put Traverse City under your holiday tree in so many ways.