Monday, November 22, 2010

Holly Days Tour -- A Punta Gorda Christmas Event Not to Miss


Each year the Punta Gorda Garden Club adds their holiday sparkle and glitter to a select number of Punta Gorda homes and gardens in the historic downtown area which are then opened for visiting.  This year's event "An Elegant Christmas" will take place on Friday, December 3 and Saturday, December 4, noon to five.  Club members use all natural materials, fresh and dried, to decorate homes in the Historic District and the First United Methodist Church for the holidays.

This is the 19th year that the PGGC is holding the tour, which started out as part of the centennial celebration for the City.  That year wreaths were made for eight homes. The Club then began the Holly Days Home Tour the following year and has continued the tradition every first weekend of December.


During the tour members of the club, who worked on the various residences are present to discuss their designs.  Aside from a way to get into the holiday spirit, the event is great opportunity to garner ideas for your own Christmas decorating.  You will be amazed what these incredible ladies do with fruits, palm tree leaves, grape leaves, grasses, coconuts  and other materials gathered from our surroundings.  This is also a unique opportunity to peak inside some of the historic homes of Punta Gorda, each with their particular charm and character.  

The four homes to be decorated for Christmas 2010 and presented by the Club are: 

Jacqui Gray's home at 324 Goldstein

The Gregory's home at 224 Gill

The Paolicelli's home at 502 W. Marion 

The Coffey's home at 508 W. Marion

And, of course, the First United Methodist Church is also embellished for the holidays.  The Church, one of Punta Gorda's oldest is worth a visit at any time for its history and the amazing stain glass window that you can only see from the outside as you drive down Marion Street.  



After the tour, the Club welcomes visitors to Lenox Hall near the church for punch, cookies and their annual poinsettia sale.  Advance tickets for the Holly Days Tour can be purchased at the Freeman House or the Chamber, or can be picked up on the days of the event at the Church.  Tickets are $10 and proceeds from their sale go to the Garden Club's scholarship and community projects fund.  For more information call 941-575-6354.   See below for a slide show of last year's tour.   

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