It’s almost that time of year again! The holiday season is right around the corner and this year the Tri-Lakes Women’s Club will sponsor its Fifth Annual Joys of the Season Holiday Home Tour. If last year is any indication, this is definitely an event not to be missed.

On Nov. 21-22, five homes in northern El Paso County will deck the halls and merrily welcome visitors to kick off the season. Open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day, the beautifully decorated homes will showcase the creative and unique talents of local interior designers. Many attendees have made the event an annual tradition to enter into the holiday spirit, spending a delightful day solo, with friends or with family.

Tour homes in 2024 tickled the imagination, inspired creativity and demonstrated unique ways to usher in the holidays. One home depicted falling darkness on Christmas Eve as Mrs. Claus prepared a celebration for Santa’s return. Another set aside traditional holiday colors, replacing them with a palette of all shades of pink. Channeling Regency splendor, with a nod to the television show Bridgerton, the elegant decor festooning another home beckoned visitors to imagine an old-fashioned holiday season.

Each year the first stop on the home tour is the Hospitality House at the Woodmoor Community Center (1691 Woodmoor Drive in Monument) to pick up a tour guide with the addresses and descriptions of the participating homes. Each listing is accompanied by a QR code providing simple directions that make it a snap to easily travel the tour route.

The popular holiday gift shop, located within the Hospitality House, is expanding the mostly holiday-themed merchandise selection this year. Many of the items are lovingly made by TLWC members. Adorable handmade aprons, ever-popular porch signs, holiday wall decor and handcrafted goat milk soaps are a few of the standouts this year. Plenty of charming stocking stuffers and last-minute gifts will make holiday shopping a breeze. At least one food vendor will be onsite offering delicious, handcrafted coffees, etc.

Many facets converge to create the joyous event.

“TLWC relies on the extraordinary generosity of its sponsors, the creative vision of the inspiring interior designers, the homeowners who open their doors and the dedicated women of TLWC,” TLWC Co-President Elect Diana Faust said.

The interior designers coordinate with the generous homeowners, creating unique and individual settings. This year the exciting themes showcased in the five beautifully decorated homes are Holiday Grandeur at a Modern Manor, A Glistening Winter Escape, Wonder of the Woodlands, Old World Noel and A Magical Winter Holiday. The tour promises to delight the senses through gleaming candlelight, luxurious color palettes, surprising themes, enchantment and seasonal warmth.

The 2024 Holiday Home Tour welcomed over 700 attendees, raising over $24,000 for the Community Grants Program supported by TLWC. The goal for 2025 is to exceed those figures. Since 1975, over a million dollars has been granted to deserving recipients.

“In 2025, TLWC granted $35,000 to 21 grant recipients, including Public Service, nonprofits and District 38 schools,” Faust said.

Included are … “services for women with gynecological cancer, trail signs to educate hikers about noxious weeds, safety and medical supplies for youth in Special Olympics, reading curriculums, and robotics and technology supplies”.

Tickets are available online, or each day of the event at the Hospitality House. For further information visit: joysoftheseasonht.org.