Take a Look at These Historic Homes Decorated for Christmas
These Southern landmarks pull out all the stops for the most wonderful time of the year.
The American South might not be able to promise you a snowy Christmas, but if you fancy historic mansions, festooned with garlands, poinsettias, and thousands of lights, we’ve got you covered. These lavishly decorated homes throw open their doors every winter to share the yuletide spirit and make the rest of us jealous. ‘Tis the season!
Stetson Mansion
WHERE: DeLand, Florida
You’d never think the extravagant decorations at the Stetson Mansion could be the work of one man. It takes about two solid months, but owner JT Thompson transforms the Gilded Age villa (former home of famed hatmaker John Stetson) into a be-ribboned wonderland. All told, there are around 18 Christmas trees, 24 Nativity scenes, and no partridges but surprisingly several peacocks, a nod to Stetson’s love for the showy birds.
Each room has a dedicated theme. This year, see “A Woodland Escape” evoking winter’s first snowfall in the music room and “A Blue Christmas”—with blue jays—in the parlor. Guided tours elaborate more on the decor than the history, though you’ll pick up some fascinating facts about the home, too, like how it featured one of the world’s first strings of Christmas lights, a gift from Thomas Edison.
When: November 15-January 15
