Holiday charm
These sleepy Labrador puppies starred on Midwest Living®'s December 2009 cover. Their Zionsville, Indiana, owner shared her charming (and chewproof) decorating ideas inspired--and driven--by her pets.
Scandinavian tradition
Each December, the Gammelgarden Museum in Scandia, Minnesota, hosts a candlelit, predawn Lucia Dagen service in an 1856 log church.
Lovely layers
A sprig of winterberries tops a glass vase filled with layers of black river stones, evergreens, moss and pinecones.
Sleigh ride
Guests at Thunder Bay Resort in Hillman, Michigan, take a horse-drawn sleigh ride through the woods.
Fresh flowers wreath
This wreath, which appeared on the December 2005 cover of Midwest Living, contains an ornament vase so fresh flowers can be changed throughout the season.
Holiday skaters
Skaters head out at dusk at Kavanaugh's Sylvan Lake Resort in Brainerd, Minnesota.
Berries in snow
Tiny red berries catch falling snow in Lebanon, Ohio, creating a red-and-white holiday landscape.
Gallery reflection
A blue glass ornament reflects the interior of Seasons on St. Croix Gallery in Hudson, Wisconsin.
Milwaukee lights
Holiday lights glow at Christmas in the Ward, held annually at Milwaukee's Historic Third Ward.
Blue-and-white decor
A simple blue bowl shows off a glittering assortment of white ornaments.
Door County's Yankee roots
In winter, Door County destinations such as Fish Creek and Ephraim show their staunchly Yankee roots, with all-white austerity broken by swags of greenery and strings of lights.
Ornament display
Holiday ornaments sparkle in a display at a Lebanon, Ohio, shop.
Night glow
A string of colored lights glows in downtown Rockville, Indiana.
Ode to Snow Wreath
White foam snowballs, soft feathers, crystalline snowflake ornaments and ice-blue ribbons reflect the cool beauty of a Midwest winter.
Red and gold
Poinsettias and gold candles make an elegant holiday pairing.
Flower 'presents'
Red velvet ribbon surrounds a 'present' of chartreuse 'Kermit' button mums.
Holiday memories
Snow dusts Naper Settlement in Naperville, Illinois, where a 12-acre village celebrates life in a 19th-century Midwestern town.
Meaningful mantel
The word peace paired with a large-scale dove creates a meaningful homemade mantel decoration.
Christmas puppies
Labrador pups get comfy on a Christmas-color quilt inside the home of a Zionsville, Indiana, dog breeder.
Winter colors wreath
This creative wreath highlights winter materials, such as snowflake ornaments, ribbon, pinecones, mittens, icicle garland and silver-painted leaves.
Kansas City tradition
Holiday lights illuminate Kansas City's Country Club Plaza, a tradition for nearly eight decades.
Winter magic
Door County's Ellison Bay is especially magical in winter, when the cove freezes over and the snow-frosted woods are quiet.
Snowy landscape
Evergreens dot the landscape at Aissen Tree Farm in Pilsen, Wisconsin.
Wintry display
This vintage wheelbarrow holds branches of noble fir, Port Orford cedar, dried eucalyptus and winterberry holly.
Christmas display
A music box nestles on fluffy faux snow at Kathe Wohlfahrt in Stillwater, Minnesota, one of just four U.S. locations of the German ornament-maker.
Snowflake lights sparkle along a main street of downtown Stillwater, Minnesota.
Christmas tree farm
Many families make a trip to St. Croix Valley Trees in Somerset, Wisconsin, a holiday tradition.
Santas on display
Christmas treasures glisten at the gift shop at St. Croix Valley Trees in Somerset, Wisconsin.