Exquisite silver and gold baubles, shimmering stars, gold reindeers and velvet-clothed figurines are being carefully unpacked in eight Mid Canterbury homes.
The decorations will feature at Hospice Mid Canterbury’s The Christmas Experience on November 24.
From 10am to 2pm, participants will tour the homes decorated for Christmas, and three gardens.
A committee of seven has been preparing for the biennial event, which is a fundraiser for the hospice’s services. The festive home and garden tour has been held on two previous occasions.
The brainchild of hospice volunteer Barbara Redmond, the event is an opportunity to explore with friends and family while supporting a good cause.
Committee member Christine Todd said the eight householders this time round approached hospice offering their homes.
Fellow committee member Anne Marie Leech said the homes had not previously been on display for the event.
Each house would be decorated differently. Many of the wonderful items to feature had been bought back from overseas by the homeowners.
Early bird tickets to the end of September are $65, then $75. The price includes a goodie bag, a piece of Christmas cake and a glass of bubbly. There will be a coffee cart and ice cream stand at one of the locations. ‘‘On the day about 50 people will volunteer to ensure the day goes smoothly and everyone has an enjoyable time,’’ Leech said. The Christmas homes tour is open to anyone over 16, but isn’t suitable for wheelchair users. ‘‘All the services we provide are at no cost to people and without any government funding we need to organise fundraisers like this one.’’
* Hospice Mid Canterbury’s The Christmas Experience is on November 24, 10am to 2pm. Tickets at House of Travel Ashburton, 242a East St, or Ko ¯whai House, 70 Havelock St, or events.humanitix.com
