Walking in a winter wonderland

There's nothing like a steaming mug of hot chocolate accompanied by yuletide carols to spread the Spirit of Christmas.  And that's what you and your families will find at this year's Winter Walk in Northfield.  Fashioned after Minnesota's Main Street Christmas tradition, Northfield's downtown streets are decked out with luminaries, gaily decorated store fronts, shops boasting of freshly baked goodies, sightings of Santa and his helpers, and reindeer pulling sleighs downtown. 

Come enjoy the Festival of Wreaths or shop for unique gifts on Division Street.  Look for favorite holiday characters walking among you.  Visit the petting zoo, the interactive live Nativity or the model train exhibit.  There's much to explore on Thursday, December 8 from 5pm-9pm in Northfield.  For  more information go to www.uniquelyminnesota.com/activities/northfield-mn-winter-walk.htm or  www.visitingnorthfield.com/?page_id=1185
If Northfield is too modern for you then step back in time to see life as Charles Dickens saw it at "Christmas in the Village" at the Dakota City Heritage Village in Farmington.  On December 3-4 and 10-11, volunteers dressed in Victorian garb will share life from 1900s rural Minnesota.  Come see cooking and needlework done the old-fashioned way, make ornaments and decorations to take home, enjoy music from another era, and learn the history of it all.  Stroll, taste, enjoy.  For more information go to www.dakotacity.org/events/christmas-in-the-village