Greetings from snowy New England! I was feeling badly last weekend for the Newburyport Holiday House Tour 2020 committee because the weather was just awful for their event! Not only did they have to stage it outside, but it was a rainy day (surrounded by two nice days, of course!). I think though given the major snow storm we are having right now, last week’s rain was probably better. This year’s tour benefitted the Aid Association of the Anna Jacques Hospital in Newburyport and they did such a wonderful job making this modified tour feel special and unique.
The price of the tour was per car load since it was a driving, parking and walking tour and they gave us wonderful goodie bags filled with a big box of delicious cookies, hand sanitizer, pens and discounts to local stores. They also came up with the fun concept of providing a soundtrack that was specific to each house via Spotify playlists. Unfortunately, my phone was not cooperating so I wasn’t able to take advantage of this feature on the tour.
But I can now as I’m writing this post and you can listen too as you read – we’ve gone multi-media y’all!
Holiday House Tour 2020 – O Holy Night
This Federal home on High Street was built in 1806. Their outdoor display theme was “O Holy Night”. The outdoor features an all white display of heralding angel cutouts and nativity scene.
The floral and greens displays, by Beach Plum, did not disappoint on the tour!
Holiday House Tour 2020 – Seas & Greetings
This 1850 Colonial revival style house is also located on famous High Street. The theme of “Seas & Greetings” speaks to the owner’s love of the ocean and fishing. Newburyport is an historic seafaring city of course. Love the star fish on all the window wreaths!
Santa and his friend arrives in a Boston Whaler!
The garland on the classic white fence had so many cute nautical touches.
And a fantastic lobster pot Christmas tree caps it all off! This took some time and dedication to assemble!
Holiday House Tour 2020 – A Fresh Cut Christmas
This vintage inspired scene imagines the family trip to the woods to cut down the Christmas tree and includes a spot for gathering around the fire pit for hot chocolate and s’mores. Buddy the Elf makes an appearance too!
Holiday House Tour 2020 – Seaside Yuletide
This sweet antique home was built in 1800 and is located along the banks of the Merrimack River in Amesbury, MA.
Befitting its waterfront setting, the house is decked in a nautical theme including this gift laden Deer Isle dory from the famous Lowell’s Boat Shop which is just up the road.
Who doesn’t love a boatful of presents!
A lovely luncheon set up on the front lawn was welcoming in all it’s soggy glory! (It had begun pouring at this point!)
Holiday House Tour 2020 – A Yellowstone Christmas
This beautiful home, built in 1984 (a newbie!) and neighbor to the yellow home above, featured several outdoor living vignettes around the theme of the television series Yellowstone, which stars Kevin Costner and is set in Montana.
Another glorious greens display. Still looking cozy despite the weather!
Loved this dining set with the plaid blanket tablecloth set up on the home’s putting green. Yes, I said that right – this house features its very own putting green. You can see more photos of the outdoor living spaces and more on my summer kitchen tour post from 2019.
Moose!
Holiday House Tour 2020 – Journey to the North Pole
Just next door is this sweet 1930’s home decorated with the Journey to the North Pole theme.
A beautiful cobblestone driveway land Santa’s village leads to JOY!
Santa was apparently on a break, but he’s clearly hard at work!
Holiday House Tour 2020 – Let’s Party S’more
This beautiful waterfront home is relatively newly built and has gorgeous views of the Merrimack River in Newburyport. The deer and sleigh is illuminated at night (another view I missed!).
This house below wasn’t on the tour, but I just loved the classic front door with portico and life-size toy soldiers.
Along my journey I ran across this fun group of bike riding carolers! This is so Newburyport, I have to say. Even I bought a bike when I lived there.
And finally, my co-pilot for the tour was my little Sansa, who was a very good girl.
Once again, thank you to my friends up in Newburyport for always thinking of me – I’ll take any excuse to visit all the gorgeous homes!
All photos ©Linda Merrill unless otherwise noted.
You may also enjoy: The Romance of Outdoor Dining
What a fun peek at the tour, Linda! Such creative displays and brilliant to do outdoor tours this year. One of these years, I’m finally going to make it to this! Love the picture of your copilot 🙂
You definitely need to go at some point – it’s always a good time! Merry Christmas!
Such a lovely town! My husband, and I, were looking at the styles of the homes. Various roof lines, styles of dormers, standing tin roofs with some serious ice breakers. Wonderful old colonial homes! Both those on the tour and the few glimpses of neighboring homes.
Thank you for sharing!
Hi Linda – Newburyport is such a wonderful place for architecture and history, no question! Happy Holidays!
Hello Linda, Sorry your house tour got rained on. Weather is always a risk, but December in New England is kind of asking for it. I am glad to see the positive attitude that allowed people to get a lot of of this event despite weather and Covid.
–Jim
p.s. Happy Holidays!
It’s funny, I’ve been to this event many times over many years and I don’t recall it ever raining. It’s been freezing and snowing. One year it was 60. Sad for them that the one year it needed to be 100% outdoors it rained. But it was fun nonetheless! Happy Holidays to you too Jim!
Hi Linda, Love these beautiful homes and hints of the sea in some of the Christmas decorations. Beautiful. Also enjoyed seeing your sweet dog looking both curious and ready to get home to his cozy bed. Thank you for bringing joy!
Hi Rhonda – thanks for visiting! And yes, Sansa was very happy to get home! It was a long day sitting in the car for her! Happy Holidays!
Linda – Thanks for sharing your thoughts and these photos. Just as you hoped a wonderful diversion! Merry Christmas. Beth
Merry Christmas to you Beth and your family!
This tour looks like so muich fun! You made me miss the east coast and all the beautiful Colonial homes!
Thanks Jeanne! I’m glad you liked it!! Happy New Year!
I loved taking this tour with you, Linda. Thank you for capturing all of these images and taking the time to put together this post.
These scenes are so charming! I love the home with s’mores outside and hot chocolate, the home with the lobster trap Christmas tree, and the home with the cobblestone driveway, too.
This put me right in the mood for Christmas – thank you!
Wow, that was fun. I enjoyed seeing the beautiful decor and I was listening to your first high tech Spotify playlist while reading your article:).
Gosh! This is a fabulous tour and a great way to celebrate the beauty of the season this year! Thanks for sharing!
Oh wow, Linda! All of these homes are so beautiful and unique in their own way. The one home that I caught my breath, was the Yellowstone theme home. While I have not seen that movie, I kept going back to look at this home. Thank you for sharing!
I’m glad I found your site! I’ve been home (high risk/cancer) since March and your beautiful photos brought me joy. They reminded me of past years enjoying my family’s (now sold) home on Nantucket. A belated Merry Christmas from Texas!
And a Merry Christmas to you too!