The Holiday season is upon us! My favorite time of the year. I have always forbidden myself to even think about Christmas until after Thanksgiving, but I know holiday festivities require planning and schedules fill up fast. There are already a million lists of things to do in Pittsburgh for the Holidays, so I will focus on what I love to do. It’s funny how what I am drawn towards is so aligned with my profession.
So here is my suggestion: go on a house tour. Don’t you love decorating your house for Christmas? It completely transforms this time of year. Why not admire the decorations of others? Maybe you will find inspiration, or, like me, leave in awe of the creativity of some people. While some house tours let you step into the homes of neighbors, others allow you to step back into a bygone era. There are plenty of house tour options available in and around Pittsburgh- there is likely to be one near you. Here are a few:
The Clayton (November 20-January 11)
The Fricks celebrated many Christmases at this home between 1883 and 1905 before moving to New York City. They would return to Pittsburgh and celebrate the Holidays at The Clayton up until 1913. This year’s tour focuses on the later years of these celebrations. The website advises that reservations should be made as they tend to be very busy.
Ticket prices and more information can be found here: http://thefrickpittsburgh.org/start/tours.php
Shadyside Splendor (November 23)
This house tour benefits the world-renowned Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra. Included in the tour are six beautiful, gilded-age mansions.
More information and discounted tickets can be found here: http://www.showclix.com/event/3859699
Woodville Plantation (November 23)
A cheaper option for a Holiday house tour, the candlelight tour of Woodville Plantation is only five dollars and children under six are admitted for free. This is also a great option for Pittsburgh’s South Hills residents as it is conveniently located in Bridgeville.
More information can be found here: http://www.woodvilleplantation.org/uncategorized/112314-holidays-at-the-house/648
Cranberry Women’s Club 2014 Christmas House Tour (December 7)
This is a great local house tour! The cost is $20.00 and all proceeds benefit local charities.
More information can be found here: http://www.cranberrywomensclub.org/
Old Allegheny Victorian Christmas House Tour (December 12 and 13)
These tours are more personal than the others on the list. They focus on 100 year old Victorian homes. Lavishly decorated for the holidays, they recall the late 19th Century birth of the traditional American Christmas: elaborately decorated mantels, towering Christmas trees and pine, holly and mistletoe on stairs and chandeliers.
More information and tickets can be found here: http://alleghenywest.org/tour/old-allegheny-victorian-christmas-house-tour/
Crafton House Tour (December 14)
A tour of seven historic homes as well as the St. Philip School and church. Enjoy listening to carolers while at the school!
More information and tickets can be found here: http://www.sps100years.com/?page_id=783#!/Crafton-House-Tour/p/43677455/category=0
Annual Holiday Tour of Homes (November 17)
The Butler County Symphony Association presents this self guided tour of seven are homes. Proceeds benefit the Symphony Association.
More information can be found here: http://butlersymphony.org/2012/11/bcsa-23rd-annual-holiday-tour-of-homes/
There are many more holiday house tours in areas surrounding Pittsburgh including one in Ligonier and one in Mt. Pleasant. Hopefully, there is one you can get to enjoy this year.
Thanks for reading,
