Shopping in Minnetonka Mills

Tacking up one of B & J’s circular, freshly decorated circles of festivity is an easier way to celebrate the holidays than convincing mall Santas to come to your house or stringing elaborate light patterns that spell out your spec script for Two and a Half Men. Unlike ornaments and knick-knacks, post-holiday-season cleanup won’t require delicate storage. Groupon holders also receive a $5 coupon toward a Fraser fir tree (starting at $36.36), the supposed Rolls Royce of tree breeds. Stop by B & J Trees between 9 a.m. and 9 p.m. and bring home some fresh-cut, pine-scented holiday cheer.

On a sold-out flight, a businesswoman unpacks a laptop from her slender briefcase while a harried father of triplets rummages through a duffel bag to find his daughter's binkie. Though both are traveling, each has entirely different demands from their luggage. Noticing this reality, staffers at Luggage World MN stock their store with durable, high-quality luggage ranging from school-ready backpacks to hard-sided suitcases ready for the trials of daily commutes, business trips, and bring-your-rhino-to-work days. Brands such as Antler USA, Rick Steves, and Hartmann craft rolling suitcases, backpacks, briefcases, and purses outfitted with handy pockets, comfortable straps, and stylish colors.

Sometimes you love a garment so much you have to set it free. The open armed and stylish folks at Turn Style Consignment Stores know a gently used gem when they see one, and faithfully find a new home for them via 14 stores in the Twin City area. They consign second-hand garments, accessories, and home furnishings from casual sellers and convincing bridge trolls before lining their racks and shelves with the items. Many of their shoes and handbags hail from designer brands such as Gucci and Chanel, and their policy prohibits anything that's not from a designer, better department, or specialty story.