In our house, the end of Thanksgiving leftovers marks the beginning of Christmas. Mums get tossed out, poinsettias brought in, boxes of decorations emerge from the attic and basement. But in spite of my plans to turn our space into a chic winter wonderland, I seem to always end up using the same straggly wreaths, chipped ornaments and bedraggled Santas.
This year, I’m heading out for some inspiration from the experts. Throughout the area there are historic homes and estates— all beautifully decorated for the holidays.
Connecticut’s own Roseland Cottage, Route 169 in Woodstock, is open Saturday, Dec. 5, from 2 to 5 p.m. and Sunday, Dec. 6, from 2 to 4 p.m., with costumed guides leading free tours of the picturesque pink house decked out in its holiday finery. Decorations are based on the Bowen family’s memoir, “The Christmas of 1887.” Information: 860-928-4074 or historicnewengland.org.
Everyone’s invited to an Open House at the Governor’s Residence, 990 Prospect Ave. in Hartford, on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 4, 5, 6. Hours are 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Friday and Saturday and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sunday. Along with decorated Christmas trees throughout, the event features entertainment and appearances by Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus. There’s no charge, but visitors are encouraged to bring a new, unwrapped toy for Toys for Tots. Information: 860-524-7355.
The Hurlburt-Dunham House, 212 Main St., Wethersfield, is decked out in Victorian finery and open for tours on Dec. 6, 12 and 13 and 19 and 20. Hours are 1 to 4 p.m. Tours are free; donations accepted. Information: wethersfieldhistory.org.
Also in Wethersfield, the three houses that make up the Webb-Deane-Stevens Museum are decorated to reflect the holidays in the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries. On Friday and Saturday, Dec. 18 and 19, guides in period dress will lead evening candlelight tours from 5 to 8 p.m. Daytime tours are offered on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sundays from 1 to 4 p.m. through Jan. 3. Admission is $12 for adults, $10 for seniors and $6 for kids and students. If you’re taking the whole family, grab the $28 pass that admits two adults and two children. Information: webb-deane-stevens.org.
Looking for a day trip idea? Head to Newport, R.I. Much of the inspiration for the holiday décor at Newport’s grand mansions comes from the Edwardian and Victorian décor of the homes themselves. The Breakers, The Elms and Marble House, open through Jan. 3, feature trees, hundreds of yards of garland, dozens of wreaths, and thousands of poinsettia plants, lilies, roses, carnations and potted palms — and are open daily for tours (except Christmas Day). One of the best deals is the three-house ticket that includes daytime admission for $29.49. Tickets and events calendar are available at NewportMansions.org.
Gillette Castle, the fieldstone castle in East Haddam that was home to legendary stage actor William Gillette, provides a Victorian-style Christmas atmosphere during its special holiday hours, on weekends from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. through Dec. 20. Admission is $6 for ages 13 and over; $2 for ages 6 through 12. Kids under 6 are free. Information: ct.gov.
The Florence Griswold Museum in Old Lyme is celebrating the “Magic of Christmas” through Jan. 3. The house is decorated for a 1910 Christmas, and other displays include artist-designed trees and holiday items. Admission is $10 for adults, $9 for seniors and $8 for students. Children 12 and under are free. florencegriswoldmuseum.org.
Garden clubs decorate each of the rooms in the Osborne Homestead Museum in Derby for “Holiday At the Farm.” Daytime tours are given Thursday through Sunday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. through Dec. 19. Twilight tours are on Dec. 11 and 18 from 4 to 6:30 p.m. Admission is free; donations accepted. Information: 203-734-2513.
