Still looking for holiday decorating ideas? Wondering where you'll get that precious nutcracker or angel for your holiday mantel? Resist the temptation to go out and buy the latest Better Homes and Gardens or Architectural Digest. Stay away from the crowded malls. Santa Clarita residents, you are hereby invited to the 24th Annual Holiday Home Tour and Boutique, taking place on Saturday, December 4 from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Presented by the Henry Mayo Newhall Memorial Hospital's Home Tour League, the Holiday Home Tour and Boutique give you the opportunity to support your community hospital. This year, the Home Tour League has underwritten two obstetric emergency treatment rooms, which will be made possible by the proceeds of this year's event.

Terry Kanowsky, President of the Holiday Home Tour League, encourages all residents to get into the spirit of the holidays by attending the Home Tour and Boutique. Terry says, "Just when you are at a loss as to how to decorate your home for family and friends, our four homes are a beacon of ideas. Many ideas are combinations of treasured decorations collected by the homeowners over the years, combined with new twists or displayed in such as way as to give them a 'new life.'"

This season's tour features four spectacular homes of diverse architectural design. Don and Denise Cruikshank's Newhall home will be decorated by Sally Valerius of Gifts in Attic with the theme "Home is Where Your Story Begins." Another Newhall home, owned by Nick and Meg Florio, will exhibit the theme "New York Holiday Glitter," designed by Diane Deep of Room by Room Custom Interiors. Jackie Morin, of Blue Sage Gifts and Home Accents, will show off her creativity by designing the "Joyeux Noel" theme at Thomas and Lissette Hace's home in Stevenson Ranch. Lastly, you are invited to tour the Stevenson Ranch home of Lawrence and Debbie Levy, whose "Santa's Vintage Hideaway" theme will be designed by Maddie Dowler of Decorating by Dowler. Dazzling displays, accompanied by each home's warm holiday ambience, will inspire you to create magic in your own home.

Terry adds, "Nothing is left undone. The front outdoor lighting creates the mood before you even enter the homes . . . There is something appealing for everyone."

As if the Home Tour were not enough, the Holiday Home Tour League has also organized a Holiday Boutique, to be held at Our Lady of Perpetual Health Catholic Church on Lyons Avenue in Newhall, also on December 4. Close to 40 vendors and craftspeople will offer everything from fine jewelry to home accents, all to benefit our community hospital's emergency room services.
Where else can you find such a fantastic display of the area's best talents? The Holiday Home Tour and Holiday Boutique promise to kick-start this year's Season of Giving.

General Admission is $20 in advance, $25 the day of the tour. Sorry, no children under 12 are permitted. Advance tickets are available after November 5 at select area merchants and at Henry Mayo Newhall Memorial Hospital's Gift Shop. VIP access, including admission to Friday's traditional Black Tie Preview Gala, is available for $175. For more information, contact Terrie Cipriano at 253-8082.