By Alicia Kelso
Admit it: you’ve blown your budget on Christmas decorations trying to impress your neighbors, not to mention the visitors driving by to browse the holiday merriment.
Now you can check out others’ seasonal jolly for a good cause. The Women’s Board of the Central Ohio Diabetes Association will host its Deck the Halls Tour of Homes on Dec. 4 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and 5 to 8 p.m., featuring six Upper Arlington residences dressed to the nines in holiday splendor.
A Candlelight Celebration cocktail party will also be held on Dec. 5 from 7:30-11 p.m. at the home of John and Allison Galbreath, 2525 Leeds Rd., in Upper Arlington. Tickets are $100 and will include a complimentary Tour of Homes admission.
Each of the homes will be decorated for the season with the help of area florists, including Hilliard Floral Design, Natural Designs, Designs by Doe, Green and Flower Galaxy.
Also on the tour this year is a “bonus home” located at 4109 Olentangy River Rd., which is owned by Andy Haines and Chad Carpenter. The home dates to 1803 and was once a stop on the Underground Railroad. It is one of Franklin County’s oldest homes and maintains its original beams, wood mantels and floors. The home also boasts an impressive art collection, antiques and décor collected during the owners’ travels, and meticulous gardens. The pool house and garden cottage will be open during the tour as well.
“We’re thrilled to include this home on the tour this year. It is stunning, with its original structure and artwork,” says Bobbie Wilson, publicity chairwoman for the event. “The owners have really done a wonderful job maintaining the property’s integrity.”
Wilson says the tour focuses on the Upper Arlington area because it formerly served as headquarters for the Central Ohio Diabetes Association.
The Women’s Board has raised more than $1 million for CODA since 1981 with its fundraisers, and currently includes between 20 and 25 active members. This year’s Tour of Homes proceeds will help send diabetic children to Camp Hamwi, where they will enjoy traditional camp activities while learning about diabetes and how to manage the disease.
Other perks for guests are the festive “stations” set up at each home. Holiday décor will be available at the Ellis home’s “Jingle Bell Boutique” on Onandaga Drive, including elegant ornaments covered with Japanese paper, colorful tea towels from Sweden, and hand-dipped Alaskan beeswax candles. There will also be sweets and beverages at “Café Fa La La” at the Magoto residence on Onandaga Drive, a raffle of themed gift baskets, Dasher’s Dining Ornaments and more.
“One of the homes will serve Christmas cookies. One will sell Christmas ornaments. We’ll have different things in each house that will be really fun for participants,” Wilson says. “So many people in Upper Arlington are very willing to help with whatever we need. We are so lucky to have really great people who are generous enough to open their beautiful homes and celebrate the season for philanthropic causes.”
Tickets for the Deck the Halls Tour are $17 per person in advance and $20 the day of the tour. They’re available at Huffman’s Market, Tortoise Shell and online at www.deckthehallsfordiabetes.org.
For more information, call 614-884-4400 or visit www.deckthehallsfordiabetes.org.
Alicia Kelso is editor of Upper Arlington Magazine.
Home on the tour include:
The Jeanne and Robert Bauer Residence, 2288 Brixton Rd.
An updated Arlington classic with a cozy, sky-lit family room surrounded by windows.
The Pam and Eric Shisler Residence, 2252 Brixton Rd.
The interior of this home boasts eclectic and colorful décor. Purchase a Dasher’s Dining Ornament from the tree and win an attached restaurant gift certificate.
The Michele and Cole Ellis Residence, 2419 Onandaga Dr.
A lavish home with a fabulous interior, this home will feature the Jingle Bell Boutique, which has something for every taste.
The Colleen and Tim Duffy Residence, 2431 Onandaga Dr.
Elegant finishes line this remodeled home, which features a two-story kitchen ceiling and limestone friezes. Purchase your tickets for the Holly Jolly Raffle to win a themed gift basket.
The Jill and Nick Magoto Residence, 2463 Onandaga Dr.
This colorfully and classically-decorated home comes complete with an upstairs billiard room. Enjoy complimentary treats and coffee at Café Fa La La in the cherry and granite kitchen.
Bonus home: The Andy Haines and Chad Carpenter Residence, 4109 Olentangy River Rd.
This home is one of the oldest in Franklin County and was a stop on the Underground Railroad. The owners have meticulously restored and remodeled the home, maintaining most of its historic integrity.