Also if in the Newport, RI area, there is a great web site that lists month long Christmas related events in Newport. There are some house tours of various Inns/B&Bs decorated for Christmas that look quite interesting.

See link below....

Here is a link that might be useful: Christmas in Newport Web Link

There are a few more listed at http://www.katiehutchison.com/house-enthusiast/winter-2008-holiday-house-tours.html
Some of them are expensive!

There's one in Marion, http://www.wanderer.com/blogs/index.php?blog=3&title=marion_holiday_house_tour&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1

and Needham
http://www.needhamwomensclub.org/holidayhousetour2008.html

We received the following information:

~ On Saturday, December 13 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., the public is invited to discover the unique spaces within Downtown Crossing. "Home Sweet Home," the first-ever "Holiday Home Tour," is sponsored by the Downtown Crossing Partnership (DCP).

Advance "Holiday Home Tour" tickets are available online at www.downtowncrossing.org. Day-of-event tickets can be purchased at 520 Washington Street. For more information, call the DCP at 617-482-2139.

Also, we read about the following in a local newspaper:

~ Forbes House Museum in Milton will host its 17th annual Holiday House Tour on Sunday, Dec. 14 from 1 to 4 p.m. A selection of private homes in Milton will be decorated for the holidays. For information, call 617-696-1815 or visit www.forbeshousemuseum.org.

Enjoy!

~ Hilda

Here is a link that might be useful: BostonEvents - December 13 Holiday Home Tour

This coming weekend, Dec. 6-7, is the big one for house tours. Salem and Newburyport always have interesting tours, and I see a number of others in MA and NH. But they are hard to discover without a lot of Googling.

Hope I'll get to one, tho none are really near me. I really enjoy seeing the creative ways people use natural materials.

I saw a notice for KingCaesar Historic House Tour in Duxbury on Dec. 13 and 14.

I've never been there.

Claire

Also the Pilgrim Hall Museum Holiday House Tour in Plymouth on Dec. 6 and 7.

I'm just going through the Wicked Local Holiday Happenings guide.

Claire

Thanks everyone for contributing... these are all great ideas!

I did hear today on WRKO of a Christmas house tour in South Boston this weekend (Dec 6th & 7th). The good thing about this tour is it include transportation to the various houses.

I think the hight cost is due to many of these events being held by nonprofits for fundraising. The Laboure South Boston House tour (link below) is trying to raise $100K and it is one of their major fundraisers. So the money goes for a good cause.

Here is a link that might be useful: Laboure South Boston House Tour

Somehow my review of the Astors Beechwood Mansion Victorian Christmas tour (Newport RI) we went on a few weeks ago wasn't posted here. I'll try again (I do remember writing it!):

See link below for details of the tour.

No advanced tickets are required just show up 15 mins before the time to buy your tickets.

The tour consisted of 20 minutes that you can tour the various rooms on your own. In each room was a costumed guide that recounted information about the people, furniture, history, etc. Each person kept in character as they answered questions. The various guides in each room had fascinating stories but we felt rushed to see all the rooms as it had been quite a long time since we visited the mansion. Each room was decorated with Christmas related decorations.

Next all were invited to the ballroom where the costumed guides put on a show for 40 minutes. The show consisted of piano playing, singing Christmas carols, dancing, playing popular parlor games of the time, etc. (all keeping with the time period of the house). Various audience members participated in all the events except the initial Christmas carols. So if you are shy avoid sitting in the front rows and you won't be asked to participate!

Some comments: The Christmas decorations were much simplier than the Newport Mansions decorated for XMas. We did feel rushed touring the rooms in the initial 20 minutes portion. I think if we had more time for this it would have been better. The Xmas songs and performances by the guides were very good (voices/music etc.) The price of an adult ticket was $20 for this hour long event (so kind of steep for a for-profit enterprise!).

I would say if you are more interested in decorations touring the 3 Newport Mansions for $25 total (Breakers, Marble House and Elms) would be the thing to do.

So while the tour wasn't totally bad, it wasn't the best either (average).

Here is a link that might be useful: Astors Beecwood Christmas Tour - Newport RI

I just put up a few photos in PictureTrail if you are interested. The first group are from 2006 (Newport Mansions), the later photos are of 2008 taken at the Astors Beechwood mansion.

Here is a link that might be useful: Astors Beechwood XMas photos

We toured Blithewold yesterday in Bristol, RI. It was our first trip, but we'll definitely try to come back during the growing season, especially in April when the daffodils are blooming.

The house was beautifully decorated--maybe even over the top, but why not!? Unfortunately, they seem to be prohibited from using live greens in the house but even with almost everything faux the decorations were gorgeous. The house itself is beautiful and the docents were all friendly and knowledgeable. They offer a formal tea, though unfortunately not on Sundays, and there are concerts every night at 6:30.

We walked the grounds, which even in winter are beautiful. One of the greenhouses is open to the public, and the evergreen bamboo grove is something to see. It looks like the exterior of the house is undergoing some renovations like a new roof, but the interior is mostly restored.

Afterwards we wandered around the pretty historic town of Bristol and even picked up a couple of Christmas presents in the shops. I'm sorry we missed the house tour on Saturday.