Christmas Tour of Homes inspires wealth of holiday decorating ideas
By SHARON KERR Staff Writer

The "House of Hope" is what Martha Morian wants people to remember from the 2007 Christmas Tour of Homes Dec. 13.

Her home at 810 Linton Lanier salutes the Walk of Hope, which raises money to cure breast cancer. Morian's students from Jasper High School will help decorate inside, and the high school shop class is creating a special "ribbon of hope" to adorn the outside.

The home itself is filled with crafty ideas for layering textures, glitter and greenery to create festive decorations.

Morian starts drying orange slices a month ahead. Small topiaries are "planted" in weighted pots. Florist balls are covered with sprigs of rosemary, orange slices, pinecones, cinnamon sticks, ruby red ornaments and small gold berries. Moss and fresh oranges are arranged at the base, with gauzy gold ribbon laced up and around the whole creation.

To spice up simply elegant place settings of china and crystal, Morian adds sprigs of rosemary tucked into beaded gold napkin holders.

Even in a corner of the china cabinet, Morian has added an eye-catching glint by dropping more gauzy gold ribbon into a crystal bowl.

Newsboy photo/ Sharon Kerr SPARKLES OF GOLD and twigs of fragrant rosemary add festive sights and smells to a holiday setting.

Jasper has not had a Christmas tour of homes since before Hurricane Rita, but several women decided it was time. Heidi Meaux called the first meeting last February, bringing together a number of groups and the Jasper Lake Sam Rayburn Area Chamber of Commerce.

The Woman's Civic Club is sponsoring the event, but president Darlene Nolen said the purpose is to honor as many different organizations and worthwhile projects in Jasper as they can. Each of the seven homes salutes a group and is hosted by members of the organization.

"All of these homes have so many creative ideas," Nolen said. "We're going to be open from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. because people are going to want to spend quite a bit of time in each home."

Tickets for the tour are $20, available at the chamber at 246 E. Milam, Brent Meaux's State Farm office on Bowie Street, the Jasper Public Library or Milam Street Gallery.

Meaux said proceeds from the show will be used for a civic improvement project.