Flickering Display of Punta Gorda Garden Club's Annual House and Garden Tour

I am reminded in those rare opportunities during the year when I can pass through the hidden gardens of the private homes in Punta Gorda historic district of just how beautiful these secret sanctuaries in our downtown are.  This is a unique piece of our frost-free city along with the restored and new Victorian residences with their charming interiors warmed and decked for the holidays by the  creative ladies of the Garden Club.  Here in the video slideshow below are some highlights of this year's tour of our tropical, historical paradise in its Christmas finery.

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.   

A Glimpse of Punta Gorda Garden Club's Holly Days Home Tour

The Garden Club of Punta Gorda hosted its annual tour of homes this weekend. On the tour were three homes:

The Victorian house owned by Letitia Chambers at 451 Retta Esplanade built in 1884 for the Lewis Family, Scott's Joiner's home built on four city lots at 117 Chasteen Street, inspired by the mansions of New Orleans, Savannah and Charleston, and Vernon and Edna Peeples home, built in 1959, at 625 Olympia, full of the history of Punta Gorda and old Florida.

Here is a glimpse of the Christmas Decorations that the Garden Club enhanced these lovely homes with for the holiday tour:

Punta Gorda Garden Club Holly Days Home Tour

There's an opportunity this Friday and Saturday to get a glimpse inside some unique historic homes decked out for the holidays. Each year the Punta Gorda Garden Club applies their decorative talents to a select number of Punta Gorda homes in the Downtown area, which are then open to the public. In addition to viewing these lovely homes, tour attendees can gather inspiration for their own holiday decorations.

The "Holly Days" homes displays are typically very innovative providing a feast of seasonal decor ideas.

Usually enhanced with seasonal aromas,e.g., the smell of fresh baked cookies, pine and other spices, the homes often beckon entry with seasonal music. Garden Club members are there to welcome and to discuss decorations. All the wreaths, ornaments and other adornments are made by members from natural materials (fresh and dried).

This year's theme "Christmas....reflecting 60 years" will be the 17th Holly Days Tour (the tour was suspended in 2004 after Hurricane Charley).

Highlights include the following Tour Homes and First United Methodist Church:

• 507 W. Marion Ave.
• 117 Chasten St.
• 625 W. Olympia Ave.
• 451 Retta Esplanade

In addition, punch and cookies as well as poinsettias will be sold at Lenox Hall near the Church.

IF YOU GO

The tour is self-guided and runs between Noon and 5 on December 4 and 5.

Advance tickets are available at the Charlotte Co. Chamber of Commerce Freeman House, 311 West Retta Esplanade, Punta Gorda, at 2702 Tamiami Trail in Port Charlotte, and at the Punta Gorda Chamber of Commerece 252 W. Marion Ave. Suite 121.

Tickets will be available on Friday and Saturday at the First Methodist Church and all houses on the Tour.

Ticket Donation: $10 (Proceeds go to the scholarship and community project fund of the Garden Club)

For more information: (941) 575-6354

Also see for more pictures from last year.