WRITER | LISA BECKER CAMPBELL
PHOTO | LUDINGTON-MICHIGAN.COM
All is calm. All is bright. All is delicious!
This addition to the familiar Christmas lyric comes thanks to a group of West Michigan Bed and Breakfasts.
Eight B&Bs are presenting a Christmas Cookie Tour this year, where guests are invited to visit the region in the quiet of winter (the “calm”), to tour the festively decorated inns (the “bright”), and to enjoy an assortment of scrumptious cookies (the “delicious,” obviously!).
During the weekends of December 6-7 and 13-14, B&Bs in Whitehall, Ludington, and Bear Lake will invite guests to sample delectable holiday treats and discover recipes and decorating inspiration. Most inns will host pop-up shops featuring products from area artisans and merchants. Selections ideal for Christmas gifts include artwork and jewelry as well as honey and syrup, coffee and tea, soaps, and lotions.
Making the event even merrier, it supports a great cause. A portion of the proceeds will be shared with the nonprofit HumaniTea, in Ludington. The tea room and artisan gift shop provides responsibly sourced teas and quality gifts obtained from local and global crafters who play a role in human trafficking prevention – making a difference here in West Michigan as well as abroad.
“Anytime we can partner with other local businesses to help raise awareness and expand the reach of our message, we count it as a win for survivors, educators, and anyone involved in the prevention of human trafficking,” says shop owners Carmen Biggs and Chris Turnbull. “We’re here to offer hope and change the story of human trafficking. Partnering with the Ludington Bed & Breakfast Association for such a fun holiday event is a great way to do just that.”
“In addition to our event, visitors can enjoy cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and long winter hikes along snow-covered trails. Take in the beauty of a wintry sunset, then end the day with a hearty dinner at a local brewery or a cozy bistro,” suggests Jennifer Hinderer, who owns The Lamplighter Bed & Breakfast with her husband, Dan.
“West Michigan in the wintertime is special because life just slows down a bit, offering guests the chance to move at their own pace while enjoying downtown shops and restaurants as well as the natural beauty of our state parks and waterfront,” stated Hinderer.
To experience the tour to its fullest, participants should reserve a two-night VIP ticket package with any of the participating inns. The cost is $30 per person for each tour ticket, plus the two-night room reservation for the room of your choice. A ticket purchased Friday night will allow entrance on Saturday as well.
These packages will be established by each inn and include a variety of VIP treatments along with two tour tickets, collector recipe cards from each inn, a chance to win a $250 gift certificate for a getaway at the participating inn or B&B of your choice, and a beautiful, hand-crafted keepsake ornament provided by one of HumaniTea’s global craft partners.
Some participating inns may offer single-night stays for the tour. For those who choose not to reserve an overnight stay, a limited number of tour-only tickets will be available to the public on Sunday, December 1, for $35 per person. Entrance to the tour is guaranteed only with a ticket.
Cookie tours will take place between 6:00 pm and 9:00 pm on Friday evenings (December 6 and 13) and from 1:00 pm to 6:00 pm on Saturdays (December 7 and 14).
Participants will almost certainly “sleep in heavenly peace,” knowing they’ve contributed to a good cause even as they enjoy sweets and comfortable accommodations.
Participating B&Bs include:
In Whitehall: Cocoa Cottage B&B, Lewis House B&B (first weekend), and White Swan Inn B&B.
In Ludington: Candlelite Inn B&B, Lamplighter B&B, Ludington House B&B, Shining Light Inn B&B, and
In Bear Lake: Bear Lake Inn B&B (first weekend).
LudingtonBedandBreakfast.com/west-michigan-b-b-cookie-tour
