The annual YWCA Christmas Homes Tour is the start of the holiday season for many local people

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by Paul Merrigan
This Week Staff

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Since 1993, the YWCA has organized the Christmas Homes Tour and since that time, the event has become a staple in the Greater Moncton Area's Christmas calendar and a major fundraiser for the YWCA. This year's tour takes place from 6 to 9:30 p.m. on Dec. 5, and from noon to 4 p.m. on Dec. 6.

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Stacey Merrigan/This Week

A glimpse inside one of the homes on the YWCA Christmas Homes Tour.

"The first Tour was organized in only three weeks with three historic houses all located downtown," explains Christina Guthrie, Executive Director of the YWCA of Moncton. "We have had many of the famous historic of houses of Moncton on the Tour over the years."

"The purpose of the Tour is to raise much needed funds for programs and services at the YWCA and is also a great way to visit beautiful spaces all decorated for Christmas."

Each year, the tour offers something a little different as new homes are added, changing what people see if they participate.

"It is a fun night or afternoon out, a chance to peek inside some of Moncton's most interesting homes, a way to get decorating ideas," says Christina. "Camden Park Terrace is hosting a fabulous Christmas tea throughout the Tour so visitors can enjoy a lovely lunch.

"This year we have four private homes, a downtown apartment, a retirement complex and Royal Oaks Golf and Country Club."

With potentially hundreds of people coming to visit your home, being selected as one of the Tour stops can be quite a commitment for participating homeowners.

"This is the first year that we've put our home on the tour, but I've attended several in the past," says Brenda McQuinn, who, with her husband Mike, have decided to open their home in Upper Coverdale to visitors this year. "I've been asked to put our home on the tour the past couple of years, but really wasn't able to do it. This year I decided we should give it a go."

"It is a lot of work but it is very rewarding," continues Brenda. "I plan on being here when the people come in and chatting with them, that type of thing. I would encourage anyone who was considering it to go ahead and try it."

Even with the hours of preparation, cleaning and rearranging of your home, there are definitely benefits to homeowners that make it all worthwhile.

"I am very excited about it," says Brenda. "I've gone on a few and I was just in awe of the homes and the work that people had done. It just felt like Christmas. It's a very worthy cause and I like the thought that it might brighten someone's Christmas up."

Tickets can be purchased at the YWCA at 35 Highfield Street, Morning Glory Gifts in Riverview, or at M&M Meat Shops in Moncton and Dieppe. Tickets are $20 per person or $15 each for a group of five or more. All proceeds raised from the Tour go to support the YWCA Women's Resource Centre. For more information call the YWCA at 855-4349.