Now I know it’s only the beginning of November, but in case you’re a planner, I thought you might like to have some basic info on this year’s Christmas Tour of Homes.
First, the code for the cute button Shannon made:
Second, here’s what the button should look like if you add it to your blog:
Third, the details, which are the basically the same as they’ve been the last two years:
I only ask a few things of you if you plan to participate in our humble little tour:
- That you actually post pictures of your holiday decorations (and by all means, if you celebrate Hanukkah and not Christmas, please join us).
- That you don’t mock the season. Or the Reason. Or the people who are participating, oh thank you.
As for what kind of pictures we’re going to post…well, I’m thinking pictures of your tree…pictures of a particular collection that you love…pictures of your favorite nativity scene…pictures of your front door…and pictures of your outside decorations if you’d like to share them. Show us your favorite traditions.
So basically, you know, whatever.
And really, it’s only fair that you should provide some refreshments (I mean, you ARE inviting us over and all), so I think it would be great fun if everyone posted his or her favorite quick and easy holiday recipe along with the pictures.
And if you’re wondering how this works, it’s pretty simple. You’ll put up your Christmas Tour post on your blog on the 15th, then hop over here and leave your link on the Mr. Linky. Once you leave your link, you can start clicking through the list and visiting other people. It’s like an Open House, but since it’s on the internet you get to experience the Open House while you’re wearing your pajamas and eating chocolate.
And maybe even drinking some egg nog.
I for one cannot imagine anything more delightful, except that I don’t like egg nog, but I will not let that damper my enthusiasm.
Can’t wait to deck the halls with y’all!
Mrs. H. says:
Thank you BooMama! I put this date on my calendar - I can’t wait to particpate. I loved touring the homes last time, but I didn’t have a blog back then and now I do! Yeah! :-)
November 5th, 2008 at 4:07 pm
Melissa says:
Yay! I’m excited to participate in my first “tour”. Of course… my collection of pictures will probably just include one: a mini-tree. With… 2 ornaments? I think that’s all Husband and I have so far. Hey, we’re just-out-of-college, and we’ve never done Christmas away from the parents before! We’re so excited for our first! So I’ll provide the viewpoint of Young and Sparsely decorated so anyone who misses those days can reminisce.
November 5th, 2008 at 4:20 pm
Pam says:
It’s a virtual holiday sip-n-see!!!
November 5th, 2008 at 4:38 pm
Mandi says:
I am so EXCITED!!! I did the tour last year, but will get to participate in al the fun now that I have my own blog. (:
November 5th, 2008 at 5:01 pm
JanMary, N Ireland says:
Got on my blog - how pretty it looks.
Loved this last year, can’t wait until this year’s.
November 5th, 2008 at 5:01 pm
Blogaroni and Dees says:
can’t wait! i’m a planner and am already working on it. this tour is a great motivator!
November 5th, 2008 at 5:10 pm
Melissa says:
Got the button! Hoping this will motivate me to decorate early and enjoy the season.
November 5th, 2008 at 5:12 pm
Fiddledeedee says:
I love participating in this, Boomama. It’s the only time of the year when my house gets a good cleaning. But, if you open a closet door, duck.
I’ll be back after I deck the halls. :)
November 5th, 2008 at 5:19 pm
Sarah Valente says:
Oh this is going to be REALLY fun!! I can show everyone how I make a two bedroom trailer look oh-so-festive!;) And I’ll include my cider recipe too.
Hey, while we’re on the topic, would you think about participating in *my* upcoming event??!:) Pretty please!
http://kingdomtwindom.blogspot.com/2008/11/get-ready.html
November 5th, 2008 at 5:26 pm
Sarah Valente says:
I commented already but I don’t see it here. Anyway, I grabbed the button and it looks great!
November 5th, 2008 at 5:31 pm
Stretch Mark Mama says:
In case the thought of raw eggs gags you with a spoon, I make a Mock Eggnog that’s a nice substitute:
(You can use regular milk)
http://stretchmarkmama.blogspot.com/2007/11/food-fixin-friday-vegetarian-eggnog.html
But if it’s the flavor of eggnog that you don’t like, well then…can’t help ya.
Merry Christmas.
November 5th, 2008 at 5:38 pm
Stretch Mark Mama says:
Obviously the Comment Gods hate me today. Feel free to delete my nonsensical duplicates.
This WILL show up! It WILL!
November 5th, 2008 at 5:39 pm
roxanne kristina says:
I LOVE THIS IDEA!!!
November 5th, 2008 at 5:49 pm
Anna says:
Yay! I’ll be participating this year!
November 5th, 2008 at 5:52 pm
Tater Mama says:
Woohoo!
If you’re in town the first weekend in December and we actually get to see each other, you may get to see us “deckin’ the halls!”
Love the button! It’s just purrrfect!
November 5th, 2008 at 6:05 pm
TCKK says:
I’ve got the button and can’t wait to participate for the first time. Now, I’ll have to think up a recipe to share too. That’ll be harder than decorating the house as I’m not much for cooking! lol
November 5th, 2008 at 6:16 pm
Mindy says:
Ok. Wait. Is. this. like. NOVEMEBER. 15?
November 5th, 2008 at 6:29 pm
Amanda says:
Yay! This will be fun. Are we talking DEC 15? Or NOV 15? Because honey I haven’t even bought my tree yet. I’m terribly organised as you can see :-)
Look’n forward to it.
November 5th, 2008 at 7:04 pm
Amanda says:
Okay, so it’s DEC 15. Just like the cute ‘lil button says. Clearly I am oh-so-clever.
November 5th, 2008 at 7:13 pm
Shanda says:
I missed last year’s tour, but you can bet I’ll have my post perfected by Dec. 15th this year!
November 5th, 2008 at 7:41 pm
susieshomemade says:
That sounds like fun. I think I will play:-)
November 5th, 2008 at 8:32 pm
Becca says:
oh man I cant wait - I just love the holidays!!
November 5th, 2008 at 9:17 pm
Ashley says:
So in on this!!!
November 5th, 2008 at 9:17 pm
Shelly W. says:
I’ll be there . . . with bells on! This may be just the push I need to get my house in order. Well, that and the open house I’m having on the 6th and the guests we’re having on the 13th, but, yeah, this will help too! :)
November 5th, 2008 at 9:29 pm
Lindsey says:
I just came across your blog and saw the information about your Christmas tour you will be hosting. I would LOVE to join in the fun! Thanks!
November 5th, 2008 at 9:59 pm
Julie says:
My blog will be up and running by them. I’m so excited I get to play this year!!! *HUGS*
November 6th, 2008 at 8:24 am
Keetha says:
This was fun last year and I’m looking forward to it. December 15th is on my calendar. :-)
November 6th, 2008 at 10:09 am
Patty says:
I am so ready for this. Well, not ready in the sense I have my home decorated but ready to enjoy visiting your homes. I don’t like egg nog either but I will drink coffee or caramel apple cider drink from Starbucks.
November 6th, 2008 at 10:32 am
Susan says:
This will be so fun!! I can’t wait!
November 6th, 2008 at 11:41 am
Dena says:
This sounds like so much fun! I love decorating for the Christmas season and can’t wait to not only participate, but to see what others have done. I’m sure I’ll see lots of fun new ideas.
November 6th, 2008 at 12:05 pm
Kelley says:
You have no idea how excited I am!
: )
November 6th, 2008 at 2:27 pm
Laurel says:
Very cool I’m jumping in on this one. It is so much fun!
November 6th, 2008 at 2:42 pm
Mommy of M's says:
I can’t wait!! I am getting that button now!!
November 6th, 2008 at 3:19 pm
britt says:
i’m in!! we just bought a house in september and i can’t wait to decorate!
November 6th, 2008 at 5:56 pm
doodah says:
I’m in too! I hope. I think… Well, we’ll just see what happens.
November 6th, 2008 at 7:33 pm
Rachel says:
Oh I probably wont be posting my own home but I will for sure be taking the tour!!! oOoOOOo how excitingly fabulous.
November 7th, 2008 at 5:56 pm
Janice (5 Minutes for Mom) says:
The first decorating I will do will be to put your banner in my sidebar.
Oh I wish decorating my house were that easy…
(But I procrastinate on everything. And it is 1:25am. So I am not going to do it tonight. But I promise, it will be the first trimming I put up.)
November 8th, 2008 at 4:12 am
Amanda says:
I can’t wait! I’ve been super excited about your tour of homes since I saw it on Kellyskorner!
November 8th, 2008 at 8:47 am
Lisa R-P says:
Thank you Than you Thank you for hosting the holiday tour again. I loved it last year and am so excited for this year.
November 8th, 2008 at 8:59 am
Deena says:
come join my Christmas Delights
on the same day
it will be fun
add ing your’s to my Whimsy Blog
thanks Deena
November 8th, 2008 at 9:25 pm
Jorgelina says:
Hi!
I would love to participate in the tour of homes on Dec. 15.
Christmas is a very special day for my family.
A greeting from Argentina.
November 9th, 2008 at 2:24 pm
Linda Sue says:
How very international we will get to be - did everyone else notice Jorgelina is in Argentina? Very exciting, holiday joy abounding - I already put up a post about why I’m participating this year - so very happy to have a deadline to actually DO Christmas decor this year!! Thanks Sophie and Shannon (for the neat button thingie). See y’all the 15th -
November 9th, 2008 at 5:42 pm
Michelle says:
I”m so there BooMama!!! Looking forward to it..
November 10th, 2008 at 3:55 am
Cathy Santarsiero says:
What fun, I’d love to! -CS ^..^
November 10th, 2008 at 1:38 pm
amydeanne says:
oh ya! i’m in!!! Thanks for hosting this!
November 11th, 2008 at 5:56 pm
Heather says:
Hi BooMama - I am a faithful reader and love your blog! I loved the holiday tour last year and would love to join up this year. Because I am new to bloggin I don’t know how to do all the “extras”. How do I post your label on my blog, sigh up, etc. etc. etc… Thanks for tutoring me!! God bless, Heather
November 11th, 2008 at 6:11 pm
Chel says:
Oh, how completely groovy! I’m so gonna have to play!
November 11th, 2008 at 7:37 pm
Cindy says:
I am promoting a new Christmas attraction in NE Ohio (Broadview Hts) called Mark Klaus’ “Holly”wood Christmas Movieland. This is a great family attraction that is fun for all ages. Opening day is Nov 28th. Would you be willing to list our link on your website? http://www.christmasmovieland.com
We are very excited about Mark Klaus’ “Holly”wood Christmas Attraction opening 11/28/08. It’s composed of displays that appeals to all ages and gender.
We have 100s of AUTHENTIC props, costumes and production stills from your favorite Christmas movies!
For example we have a large display from the “Grinch” movie, starring Jim Carrey. The display has the Grinch motorcycle for the men; the ONLY place to see the 16′ Grinch sleigh, for the children; And the Martha May engagement ring for the women. Plus, hundreds of other items. For your Christmas memories there will be a photo opportunity in front of the Grinch sleigh. Making this a truly unique Christmas experience.
“Holly”wood Christmas Movieland is a diverse display of movie memorabilia that you will see from 1947 Santa and reindeer model from “Miracle on 34th Street’s”, opening scene, for seniors to current Christmas movies for children. Will Ferrell’s “Elf” costume, Dudley Moore’s costume from “Santa Claus: The Movie”, Arnold Schwarzenegger’s turbo man costume from “Jingle All The Way”, Tim Allen’s costume from “The Santa Clause” and more! We even have the last can of “Who Hash”. These authentic displays make it a truly “Holly”wood experience.
The displays are designed and created by Mark Klaus and are as awesome as the movie props and memorabilia.
Mark is a master sculptor of product as well as set design. He has been selling Christmas product on television shopping networks for fifteen years. (If you go to QVC.com and search Mark Klaus. You will see his sculptured products.)
You won’t believe it! It SNOWS inside! Now that’s Christmas magic.
November 12th, 2008 at 3:53 pm
Lady Jane says:
New blogger here,not sure how I found your inspiring webpage…but count me in(marking the calendar now! I love Christmas!!! I also go to about 10 homes and do their Holiday decor and would love to show and share some of the homes that I do…so please count me in! And hopefully by December 15th I will be a better photographer and a MUCH better blogger ( not practicing much next week though) I have 9 days in a row of Holiday decor to put up at my clients homes!
November 13th, 2008 at 8:56 am
Pendy says:
I found you via Melanie at This Ain’t New York (love her blog and apparently she grew up not far from where I live). Anyhoo, I am excited about the ‘tour’ and can’t wait to decorate.
November 13th, 2008 at 6:26 pm
KimiG says:
OK! I just looked through the tour from last year and am all inspired. Let’s Go! Thanks, Boo Mama!
November 14th, 2008 at 9:34 am
Bia says:
First time visitor…but I’m all for Christmas Open Houses!
We do ours Italian style with a Southern twist.
November 15th, 2008 at 4:12 pm
jenny says:
This sounds like fun!
I enjoyed the Dominican Republic blogs. Thanks for the link. I taught there during the Summer of ‘98.
November 15th, 2008 at 6:13 pm
Terra says:
LOVE IT. Since I was going to post pics of the house when done anyway I would love to participate! Thanks
November 15th, 2008 at 9:12 pm
America says:
Yeh, love it, loved last year, will love this year, my husband is deployed this year so this will help me get up and go with the decorations!
November 15th, 2008 at 11:14 pm
Mel says:
I just shared this on my Sunday Linkage holiday happenings around the blogosphere. Can’t wait to share my decorations and take a peak into everybody’s house too!!
November 16th, 2008 at 10:01 am
High Heels and a Sippy Cup says:
I am so excited for this! I just put the button on my blog and now I’m channeling my Christmas Decorating vibes.
November 17th, 2008 at 1:10 pm
Natalie at FLHomeBlog says:
I’ll be participating, sounds like so much fun!
November 17th, 2008 at 4:38 pm
Staci Brown says:
Yay! SO excited for this again this year. I met so many friends through this last year and it was so fun to show off my goods!
November 17th, 2008 at 8:16 pm
Susan says:
yay! I loved visiting several of these last year. I just started blogging last week - so maybe joining in myself will get some visitors for my lonely blog :)
Thanks!
November 17th, 2008 at 8:32 pm
Niki says:
I can’t wait, now I just have to decorate the house. Thanks, this will be my first year.
November 18th, 2008 at 1:50 pm
Kendra @ My Insanity says:
Love the button! Have been displaying it for a while on my blog. Here’s hoping I’ll have my act together in time for the tour! Thanks for hosting!
November 18th, 2008 at 8:56 pm
JudyBug says:
This looks like so much fun…count me in!
November 19th, 2008 at 11:18 am
J. fergie says:
don’t forget kwanzaa!!
November 19th, 2008 at 1:18 pm
Dina @ 4 Lettre Words says:
What a fantastic idea! I did this last year, but without your cute button!! :o)
Looking forward to the 15th…
November 19th, 2008 at 2:53 pm
Kimberly says:
I just added the button to my page. That will be fun.
November 19th, 2008 at 4:15 pm