‘Magnificent’ design to highlight holiday house tour

MARION — Tara Calabrese’s home was one of the secret houses included in last year’s holiday tour hosted by the Sippican Woman’s Club. And this year, she’s organizing the tour as a member of the club.

Between preparing a home for the tour and organizing the actual event itself, Calabrese wasn’t sure which required more work.

During the holiday house tour, an event going on more than three decades, homes with historical or architectural interest are put on display with festive decor for visitors to experience. About 500 people attended last year, according to Calabrese.

“It was very exciting to see what can be done with the community together,” she said.

This year’s tour is Saturday, Dec. 7, and the theme is “holiday by the sea.” The journey begins at the Sippican Woman’s Club’s tavern at 152 Front St. where brochures revealing the secret homes are provided.

The five featured homes, open from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., are all in close proximity in the village of Marion, according to Calabrese.

“The homes are all quite different,” she said.

The architecture and interior design to be on display is “magnificent,” according to Calabrese.

“It’s inspiring to see some of these homes,” she said.

Local florists contribute to decorating the tour’s homes. Some homeowners have been decorating for months, Calabrese said.

The designs and decor serve as “inspiration” for tour-goers, according to Calabrese.

“There’s something there for all of us,” she said.

A “sugarplum tea” from 2 to 4 p.m. will be held at Tabor Academy’s Great Room.

The mid-afternoon pause is a “standing tradition,” Calabrese said. It will include coffee, desserts, light fare food — and tea.

The day ends with a gathering from 4 to 6 p.m. at the Beverly Yacht Club.

“It’s beautiful,” Calabrese said. “There’s so much history in the yacht club.”

A raffle to win what is essentially a “holiday by the sea” befitting the tour’s theme — a two-night stay at boutique Airbnb and rooftop restaurant Harbourtown by Plymouth’s waterfront — will also be offered.

The holiday house tour is the Sippican Woman’s Club principal fundraising activity. Proceeds go toward Marion students and organizations serving the Marion community.

Last year, the event raised over $17,000. Local business sponsorships have already raised over $10,000 for this year’s tour, according to Calabrese.

“The local businesses have really stepped up and supported the tour tremendously,” she said.

Tour tickets are $35 in advance or $40 at the door. Tickets are available online or at the Marion General Store, Mimi’s in Marion and Isabelle’s in Mattapoisett. To purchase tickets online, visit sippicanwomansclub.org.

The early December Saturday of the tour marks a busy weekend in the heart of Marion. The following day — Sunday, Dec. 8 — is the Marion Village Christmas Stroll.

“There’s so much going on,” Calabrese said. “It’s a beautiful seaside village.”

At its tavern during the festivity, the Sippican Woman’s Club will be offering wassail, a warm cider beverage associated with an ancient English tradition of going door to door giving out the drink and charity. It’s a fitting follow-up to the fundraising holiday house tour.