There's a lot of emphasis on how to shop local for the holidays. That's a worthy goal, but anyone who has a holiday party in their future should check out these ways to locally-source food, drinks and decorations for your home this season, too.
If the early arrival of winter weren't enough to make it clear, the wreaths and lights adorning the U.P.'s homes and shops remove all doubt: The holiday season is upon us again. Whether you're hosting a gathering of far-flung family members or attending an office potluck, chances are good you'll have to plan for at least one Christmas party this year. What better way to reward the hardworking artisans, craftspeople and culinary creatives of the U.P. than to locally source your party's food, drinks, decorations and favors?
Below, we highlight five Upper Peninsula businesses that can spruce up your Christmas party. But there are plenty of others that deserve your attention, so we'd love to hear about your favorites.
Wilson Evergreens
Located in Wilson, just off the main road from Escanaba to Iron Mountain, aptly named Wilson Evergreens cultivates native trees and shrubs for use in all manner of Christmas decorations, with special emphasis on wreaths and garlands. Founded more than a generation ago, Wilson is actually the nation's largest Christmas wreath producer by volume and has an impressive distribution footprint that extends far beyond the central Upper Peninsula.
Like so many businesses, Wilson Evergreens was born out of necessity when founder Gerry Wilson Sr. lost his job shortly before the holidays. Determined to provide for his family that Christmas, he took advantage of the ample evergreen stock on his property, cutting a few dozen wreaths. Figuring he could get juicier margins in a more affluent downstate community, Wilson drove down to Pontiac and set up shop in a Kmart parking lot.
The rest, as they say, is history: In the intervening years, Wilson has produced untold thousands of wreaths and steadily expanded its product lines to include birch log decorations (perfect for a Yule log), pine cones and berries, wreath hangers and artificial wreaths. And Wilson's son, Gerry Jr., packs his
Christmas Wreath Guy blog with decorating tips and ideas for the whole family.
The one (possible) drawback to ordering from Wilson: The company's farm is a closed operation, meaning you can't head out and cut a tree yourself. But Wilson does offer 24-hour online ordering, so you can place your order from the comfort of your home and take pride in knowing that your wreaths, garlands or other decorations will come from nearby. If you prefer to order by phone or need to buy in larger quantities for a big party, call (888) 430-7667.
Mackinaw Trail Winery
Serving adult beverages at your Christmas party? Bringing an alcoholic favor to an adults-only gathering? Either way, make sure a Michigan-made wine is on the menu.
What's that? You don't have to go downstate to find the perfect Michigan wine? Nope, not anymore. Mackinaw Trail Winery, based just outside Manistique, is one of a growing cohort of U.P. wineries, most clustered along the Lake Michigan shore between Escanaba and the Mackinac Bridge. The winery also grows (and sells) near Petoskey, in the northern Lower Peninsula.
Mackinaw Trail specializes in cold-weather grapes that can stand up to the U.P.'s harsh winters. Most are white varietals, like pinot gris and riesling, but syrah, merlot and cabernet (all reds) are available too. And like many other cold-weather wineries, Mackinaw makes tasty blueberry, raspberry and blackberry wines.
Ordering from Mackinaw Trail Winery is easy, no matter where you live. The online store ships anywhere in Michigan, and an impressive number of
package stores across the U.P. (from White's Party Store in Marquette to the Chatham Co-op in Chatham) carry its products.
But if you live near Manistique or want to make a trip out of your Mackinaw Trail experience, the winery operates a bistro in the town. Visit the winery, grab a bottle or two for your holiday party, and then head down to the bistro for a light, Italian-themed menu with favorites like caprese, an antipasto medley and an Italian panini.
DeBacker Dairy
Recent advances notwithstanding, the Upper Peninsula isn't exactly an agricultural mecca. But the region does have a thriving dairy industry that supports several homegrown distributors. With a farm in Daggett, plus stores in Escanaba and Menominee,
DeBacker Dairy is one of the most successful. Although their hand-made eggnog is an obvious seasonal favorite, their milk, cheese, ice cream and farm-raised meat (chili, anyone!?) are all sure to spice up your Christmas party.
DeBacker has been around since the late 1990s, growing steadily since then. It now boasts more than 200 head of Holstein cattle, which feed on hay and grains raised on the Menominee County farm. The farm is completely antibiotic free, with bottling facilities on site.
"Our goal is to offer the public a good quality product that comes right from the farm," the company says. The goal is "to educate the public about milk and all the nutritional benefits that it has to offer."
Try DeBacker's fresh cheese curds -- maybe not a Christmas favorite, but definitely a great finger food at holiday parties. The cheddar pairs nicely with chili made from DeBacker beef, and more than 20 flavors of ice cream make a perfect after-dinner treat. And the farm's rich, wholesome milk is a great complement to U.P.-sourced coffee or espresso (think Dead River or UP North Coffee Roasters).
If you can't make it to the stores or the Daggett farm, DeBacker sells its products at more than two dozen grocery stores across the U.P., from Angeli's in Iron River to the Marquette Food Co-op in Marquette and the IGA in St. Ignace.
LaTulip Pottery & Tileworks
Looking for distinctive party favors or decorations for your Christmas party? Skip the trip to Walmart or Michael's and patronize a local vendor like LaTulip Pottery & Tileworks. Based in Garden, near Manistique, it's the brainchild of Marsha LaTulip, a Wisconsin native who's been making ceramic ornaments and implements for nearly a quarter century. She moved to the Upper Peninsula some years ago and has worked out of a home studio ever since, using
an online store at MI Upper Hand (a division of Pure Michigan) to gain exposure and boost sales.
LaTulip's mainstays include "U.P. mugs," which have flared handles and rustic-looking imprints in the shape of the Upper Peninsula, and long, leaf-shaped appetizer serving dishes -- both great for imparting some festive cheer to a Christmas get-together. "Northwoods dishes" feature prints of woodland shrubs and leaves in classic Christmas tones. White birch candle holders are great for setting (or scenting) the mood.
Though all of LaTulip's designs are suitable for inclusion in a holiday party, this year brings three special, Christmas-themed creations: white pine, Christmas tree and snowflake ornaments. The white pine and Christmas tree ornaments are evergreen-scented, while the snowflake is infused with peppermint. They're light enough to hang from the boughs of a Christmas tree and stately enough to adorn a table or doorway.
Order LaTulip's ceramic creations on her MI Upper Hand website, where you can pay with any major credit card. For larger orders and to check the availability of stock as the holidays approach, send a Facebook message or call (906) 644-7606.
Paladino's Cafe
One of Marquette's newest cafes is already making a name for itself as a purveyor of locally raised meat, dairy and produce. Paladino's Cafe is a "small cafe focused on providing the freshest and most locally sustainable products available," says chef and owner
Andrew Sear.
Paladino's "lives" in the basement of the Peter White Library, serving up a rotating menu that's perhaps the single greatest concentration of U.P.-sourced foods in the region. If you're looking for a ready-made, super-local catering option -- think sandwiches and soups -- for your Christmas party, Paladino's owner has you covered.
Sear sources his ingredients from Rock River Farms (in the central U.P.), Grand-Bees (in L'Anse) and other producers as available. Holiday favorites include locally sourced potato leek bisque and cream of wild mushroom soups. Pulled pork sandwiches and prime rib -- both using U.P.-grown beef and pork, when possible -- are available for folks with heartier appetites. And while it won't be ready in time for this Christmas, Sear is committed to opening an old-fashioned butcher shop in Marquette, where he'll process locally raised (and wild) meat.
Paladino's is open every day but Sunday. Sear doesn't yet sell online -- he's still building his website -- but you can call (906) 226-4326 to place your order ahead of time. With enough notice, he has the capacity to cater a sizable holiday party with soup, sandwiches and salads. He also works with Keweenaw Coffee Works to bring fresh-brewed coffee and espresso to library patrons and catering clients.
Brian Martucci writes about business, finance, food, drink and anything else that catches his fancy. You can find him on Twitter @Brian_Martucci
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