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Decorated Red Deer homes open doors to help charities

Homes offer inspiration to those who might want to really deck the halls
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For those whose Christmas trees look a bit like Charlie Brown’s, there’s some inspirational decorating available for viewing while helping someone out at the same time.

An inside tour on Dec. 4 of four Red Deer homes beautifully trimmed for the holidays will raise funds for several charities.

Cheryl Jardine said Friday that the popular tour, which has been organized a few times in past years, is back for 2016. She and the other organizers had planned to have five houses on the tour but unfortunately one of the homeowners was unexpectedly unable to participate.

Tickets for the tour are $20 each, cash only, and must be purchased in advance. They are available at CrossRoads Church, 38105 Range Road 275 (Hwy 2 and 32nd St); the Country Cupboard at 5022 Gaetz Ave.; and Katz Meow Hair Salon at #6, 6791 - 50th Ave., (Pines Plaza).

There are three available times for the tours — 1 p.m., 3 p.m., and 5:30 p.m. The tours have drawn up to 500 people in the past.

Three local charities and three international charities that will benefit include Red Deer Big Brothers and Sister, Central Alberta Pregnancy Care Centre, Women’s Outreach, International Needs (Uganda), World Relief and Haiti arise.

Karen Cowan, one of the hosts, said she loves Christmas, the decorations and the meaning of Christmas.

She was involved with the tour when it was done about 10 years ago, but this is the first time her home is on view.

“It’s kind of nice to see an older home can be decorated.” She’s lived in her home for 39 years.

She is getting some help with the decorating from her friend Arliss Fallon who happens to be a home stager.

barr@www.reddeeradvocate.com