Staying at a Wisconsin B&B during the holidays or for a winter getaway is wonderful in and of itself! Beautifully decorated Inns, the warmth of a fireplace, the scent of fresh baked cookies, and the sparkle of new fallen snow delight all the senses. When you add one of the many specials or packages offered by our member Inns, it is like gift-wrapping your holiday getaway into something magical.

 

Gift Certificate from Hidden Serenity B&B, West Bend

First, we have this wonderful giveaway from Hidden Serenity B&B in West Bend: Purchase a $100 gift certificate or more to Hidden Serenity B&B and your name will be entered in their drawing for a chance to win a very special getaway package, valued at $1000.00! Contact them directly for all the details.

One of their most popular packages is called the Anniversary Bangarang Package, giving you all the pampering you deserve! It starts with a rejuvenating couple’s massage from a licensed massage therapist in their on-site mini spa. Delight in this package anytime, not just for your anniversary!

There's more to look at, so be sure to check out all their specials!

 

Christmas time at Hamiltion House B&B, Whitewater

Speaking of “gift-wrapping”, the Romantic Wrap Up by Hamilton House B&B will have you wandering Whitewater’s local boutiques to find that unique gift for everyone on your holiday shopping list. After your shopping, you can settle into a romantic evening of wine and wrapping supplied by Hamilton House by your private fireplace. Then you can enjoy having your Christmas shopping "All Wrapped up"!

 

The Sheldon Room at Stewart Inn, Wausau

Beat the cold chill of this winter season and warm up with a complimentary 30 minute massage at Apex Wellness when you book a multi-night stay for the Winter Spa Getaway at the luxury Stewart Inn in Wausau.

 

Hummingbird Haven at Silver Star B&B Inn, Spring Green

This Winter Getaway from the Silver Star B&B Inn in Spring Green offers a discount on your stay. Snowshoe their trails or just cuddle in front of the fieldstone fireplace with a glass of wine or cup of hot cocoa. Let your cares melt away!

 

Wine and Chocolates by the Varsity Suite fireplace at The Buckingham Inn, Madison

Treat yourself to a rejuvenating Madison getaway at The Buckingham Inn this holiday season for a 20% savings! Take in a winter concert or sporting event, shop unique stores nearby, or enjoy brisk walks through Madison’s historic university neighborhood.

Finally, you can check out all other specials and packages offered by WBBA member inns by visiting our website and searching “by specials and packages” under “Find An Inn”. Narrow your search by categories such as “holiday”, “last minute special”, and many more. We’re positive you’ll find just the right getaway to make your holidays and the winter season that much more… well, special!

 

Are you ready to Seek the Unique?

Let’s set aside pancake, omelette and pastry recipes for some Christmas cookie recipes, shall we? We dug deep into our recipe archives for Christmas cookie recipes that guests love best. The greatest part of this is that they’re easy! Delicious results ahead.

We all have our favorite Christmas cookie recipes, the ones that the kids and relatives insist you make every year. Add to that collection with these favorites. P.S. While Santa will surely love these as a late night snack, we do give you permission to eat these at breakfast too. After, all, we are the bed and breakfast association!

 

Extra Special Gingersnap Cookies

Makes 4 Dozen

¾ cup butter or margarine
1 cup sugar
1 egg
¼ cup molasses
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking soda
¼ teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon cloves
1 teaspoon ginger

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. In a medium bowl, cream together the butter and sugar. Add the egg and molasses and beat well. In a separate bowl, sift together the flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, cloves, and ginger. Gradually add the dry mixture to the creamed mixture; mix well. Chill the dough and then roll into 1 ¼ inch balls. Dip in additional sugar and place 2 inches apart on ungreased cookie sheets. Bake 10 minutes, or until set and surface cracks. Cook on wire racks.

 

Santa’s Melt In Your Mouth Sugar Cookies

Makes Approximately 4 Dozen

2 ¼ cups flour
½ teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon cream of tartar
¼ teaspoon salt
½ cup butter (no substitutions), softened
½ cup powdered sugar
½ cup granulated sugar
1 egg
½ cup vegetable oil
1 teaspoon vanilla
Additional sugar to roll the cookies

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Combine flour, baking soda, cream of tartar, and salt. In large bowl, beat butter, powdered sugar, and granulated sugar on medium speed about 2 minutes or until creamy. Reduce speed to low, beat in egg, then beat in oil and vanilla. Gradually beat in flour mixture just until blended, occasionally scraping the bowl. Place some additional sugar in small bowl or saucer. Shape dough into ¾ inch balls. Place balls 2 inches apart on ungreased cookie sheet. Dip a glass with a cut design on bottom, or coarse side of meat mallet into sugar in bowl, use to flatten each ball into a 1 ½ inch ball. Bake 10-11 minutes until edges are golden. Transfer to wire rack to cool. Store cookies in tightly covered container. Please note: Frosting and sprinkles are always a good idea too!

 

Peanut Butter Cup Lovers Cookies

Makes 40 Cookies

1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
½ teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking soda
½ cup butter, softened
½ cup white sugar
½ cup peanut butter
½ cup packed brown sugar
1 egg, beaten
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 tablespoons milk
40 miniature chocolate covered peanut butter cups

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Sift together the flour, salt, and baking soda; set aside. Cream together the butter, sugar, peanut butter, and brown sugar until fluffy. Beat in the egg, vanilla, and milk. Add the flour mixture; mix well. Shape into 40 balls and place each into an ungreased mini muffin pan. Bake at 375 degrees for 8 minutes. Remove from oven and immediately press a mini peanut butter cup into each ball. Cool and carefully remove from pan.

 

Chocolate Chip Bacon Surprise

¾ cup unsalted butter, melted
1 cup granulated sugar
¾ cup light brown sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
3 cups flour
2 eggs
1 ½ teaspoons baking soda
½ teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons cornstarch
½ cup milk chocolate chips
½ semi-sweet chocolate chips
½ cup chopped bacon

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.Melt butter in microwave in 10-second increments until fully dissolved. Combine all dry ingredients in medium mixing bowl and whisk to combine, set aside. Cream butter and sugars 2 minutes until fully incorporated. Add eggs one at a time and mix until just combined. Add 2 teaspoons of vanilla. Gradually fold in flour roughly one cup at a time until dough is slightly tacky. Add chips and bacon and mix with wooden spoon until combined. Wrap dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 hours. Bake cookies on lined baking sheet for 8-9 minutes, or until barely golden brown. Let cool on baking sheet for 2 minutes, then transfer to wire racks to cool completely.

 

Better Than Cereal Cookies

Makes Approximately 1 Dozen

½ cup rolled oats
½ cup applesauce or mashed banana
½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract
¼ cup almond or cashew butter
1/16 teaspoon salt
2-3 tablespoons mini chocolate chips
2 ½ tablespoons freeze-dried raspberries
Optional 2 tablespoons sugar

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Mash the applesauce or banana with the nut butter until smooth, then stir in all other ingredients until well-combined. Shape into cookies and bake on a greased cookie sheet for around 15 minutes. Let cool 10 minutes before removing from sheet. Please note: These cookies really are a wonderful breakfast cookie!

 

Are you ready to Seek the Unique?

 

All B&B Gift Certificates are not created equal. Some have so many exclusions that the fine print puts a strain on your eyes and your relationship with the gift recipient. The Wisconsin B&B Association gift certificate promises to put a twinkle in your eye instead.

 

Phipps Inn - Hudson

We’re pretty sure we have the perfect B&B Gift Certificates for everyone on your list who loves travel, doesn’t need more things, and seeks out B&Bs for their getaways. How can we be so certain? For starters, the Wisconsin Bed & Breakfast Association gift certificate is redeemable at any member inn. How great is that! It can be purchased in any dollar amount. Be sure to call ahead to the inn you wish to stay at and tell them that you have a Wisconsin Bed & Breakfast Association gift certificate to use when you book your stay!

 

Westby House Inn - Westby

We’re ready to take your order, either online using this secure online order form or by giving us a jingle at 715-942-8180. The best part? Delivery is easy and instant after the transaction is complete! No more wondering if the mail will get to you in time to give this perfect gift! You can either email the certificate directly to the recipient or you can email the certificate to yourself to print and give. You also have the option to leave a personalized message for that special someone on the certificiate.

Happy shopping is never an oxymoron at the Wisconsin B&B Association!

 

 

Are you ready to Seek the Unique?

 

 

(Stocking) hats off to our innkeepers who embrace the holiday season with enough good cheer to stretch all the way from Wisconsin to the North Pole. Get ideas for decking your halls from our own “cheer” squad of B&B owners.

If you’re feeling ho-humbug about your holiday decorations, we have some ideas that will cheer you up in the wink of an eye.

The front door of the The Lamppost Inn is stately on its own, but when the innkeeper adds holiday touches of greenery and decoration fit for the season, it’s a very fine welcome indeed. Whether you are a first time B&B'er or a seasoned one, you'll find this inn intriguing and cozy.

Fresh greenery at The Lamppost Inn, Fort Atkinson

 

At Fargo Mansion Inn, the owners take pride in their trees. Magnificently decorated, the mansion is sure to help you capture the spirit of the season. Whether you are in town to visit family or friends or attend a holiday party, you are sure to be warmed by the charm of the inn.

Fargo Mansion Inn Christmas Trees, Lake Mills

 

If magical and whimsical is your mantra, then take a cue from the innkeepers at Christmas House B&B, who create a lovely fireplace mantle vignette for all to enjoy. At Christmas House B&B, the innkeeper loves to fill up the rooms of the house with decorations of the season.

Holiday fireplace mantle at Christmas House B&B, Racine

 

Here’s one of our favorite holiday centerpieces on the dining room table of Apple Tree Lane B&B, where a full, delicious breakfast is served each morning. Early risers at Apple Tree Lane B&B can awaken to freshly brewed coffee and teas, set up on the buffet to enjoy with the morning paper before breakfast is served.

Christmas Centerpiece at Apple Tree Lane B&B, Waupaca

 

Last but not least, outdoor lighting. This twinkling scene at Westphal Mansion is fit for the cover of a holiday card. Inside, a crackling fire invites quests to cozy up with a favorite book or play a game of chess next to a warm fireplace in the living room.

Winter Evening at Westphal Mansion, Hartford

 

Are you ready to Seek the Unique?

 

Think about the best “gift givers” you know.  They’re probably very good at making mental notes throughout the year as to what friends and family members enjoy, admire and desire; they’re usually quite creative; and they never scrimp on quality.  That list item – quality – is especially important to all of us at the Wisconsin Bed & Breakfast Association.  We’re the only quality-certified group of our kind in the state, and every one of our member inns has passed a detailed inspection to be considered for membership.  So, if you’re thinking about gifting a Wisconsin B&B getaway to someone this Christmas (our gift certificates are good at all member inns), we thought you’d appreciate knowing that the “quality” part of the gift is all wrapped up! [caption id="attachment_957" align="aligncenter" width="300"] How to get the grandkids for a weekend? Gift your kids with a B&B getaway ... they'll toast your thoughtfulness.[/caption]