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Harrodsburg homes tour features house with 22 Christmas trees

November 30, 2009|By SUSIE LAUN

HARRODSBURG — At Harrodsburg resident Coleen Thompson's house, Christmas decorating starts on Oct. 1. It isn't just because Christmas is her favorite holiday — which it is — it's because if she waits too long to get started, the decorating won't be finished by Dec. 1.

With 22 themed Christmas trees, nativities in every room and Possible Dreams Santa collectibles crowding the tables, walking into Thompson's home is like walking into a Christmas wonderland.

Thompson's home on Shenandoah Drive is among the homes that will be featured in this year's Harrodsburg's Historical Society's Holiday Homes Tour. The tour will take place from 1 to 8 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 5. The cost is $15 per person and $11 for senior citizens. Tickets can be purchased at Morgan Row, the Tourist Commission at Diamond Point or at any of the homes on the tour, Jerry Sampson said.

The tour includes eight locations this year. Sampson said the historical society selects homes based on their historic nature, a special collection a person owns or the even because a home is beautifully decorated for the holidays.

Thompson said when got the call to be included in the historic homes tour, she was shocked. "My house is only 25 years old," she said she remembered saying.

But, because of her spirit of decorating, Thompson said Helen Dedman asked her again to participate. After discussing it with her family, Thompson agreed.

Thompson said she loves house guests and is looking forward to the opportunity to show people her home.

"My house is always open," she said.

Tour attracts 600 to 700 people

Anywhere from 600 to 700 people will visit homes on the tour, Sampson said, but the number does fluctuate from year to year.

For Thompson, many of her decorations have sentimental value. Family is important to her and her husband, Bobby Thompson. The couple has two children and six grandchildren.

Spending the time getting the house decorated has importance for Thompson.

"I enjoy getting them (the decorations) out," she said. "There are so many memories."

Unpacking the trees, ornaments, nativities and lights gives Thompson a chance to reflect and remember the times she had with her family growing up, her husband and her children.

Decorating is always something Thompson has enjoyed and it gives her a fun, creative opportunity to remember and showcase why Christmas is so important.

"I like to keep the true meaning of Christmas in mind," she said.