UPDATE: Tickets are on sale now! Buy yours here.
The Historic Homes for the Holidays tour is taking on a life of its own, and I couldn’t be happier. When all was said and done at the local Parade of Homes, I had 543 people sign up for more information about the tour—that was about 500 more than I expected. So here are the details:
- The tour will feature a dozen (or more) historic homes in the Idaho Falls area, dressed in their holiday finery.
- The tour will run Friday, Dec. 7 from 4 – 8 p.m. and Saturday, Dec. 8 from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
- Tickets cost $10 per person and will be available starting Nov. 1 via this blog and at RE/Max Prestige, 1684 Elk Creek Drive in Idaho Falls.
- All proceeds will be donated to Promise Ridge, which provides emergency temporary housing for single moms and their kids.
Here are the houses on this year’s tour (though this lineup is subject to change and/or increase):
Yes, this is a barn, not a house, but it is undergoing an impressive renovation you’ll want to see
Last winter I drove around the older Idaho Falls neighborhoods and took note of houses that were well maintained and decorated for the holidays. During the warmer months, I looked for the same (minus the holiday décor) and made a final list of dream houses I’d like on the tour. Then I started knocking on the doors of strangers—one lady even came to the door grumbling, “The sign says, ‘No solicitors!’”
Here’s the coolest part: I got 11 yeses, four maybes, and only one no. I’m still analyzing what that means, but obviously historic homeowners are old-house proud and willing to open up their lives to benefit a good cause. Without them and their generosity, this tour wouldn’t be possible.
Why am I organizing this event if I’m not getting paid? It’s simple: I’m putting on the tour I would like to take myself. I want more people, especially families, to get a taste of life in a historic house—I’m hoping some will consider moving into these neighborhoods afterwards. And I want to celebrate those who are good stewards of homes of the past.
Of course, it doesn’t hurt that I’ve met lots of like-minded folks in the process AND that I cannot wait to drop off a big ol’ check to Promise Ridge. Imagine how awesome it will be if we donate $10,000 to their cause. That’s my goal, and it’s ambitious, but I hope you’ll help me get there. So please feel free to spread the word to family and friends and on social media.
Questions? Concerns? Please leave a comment. I hope to see you on the tour—if you stop by my house, say hello! •
Boulevard West 
How exciting! What a beautiful line-up of houses. 😍 Such a great way to kick off the Christmas season! So happy for you.
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Thanks for this post. Brenna and I are so excited!
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Will you be creating a Facebook event page I could share?
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Yes! I have a small committee, and that’s on our to-do list. When it’s available, I’ll let you know. Thanks for asking and for helping spread the word.
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Im interested in joining the committee! Please feel free to contact me
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Jill, we have a Facebook event page live now, and I would be thrilled if you would share it. Find it here: https://www.facebook.com/events/905643289640478/
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This sounds amazing! I wpuld love to know addresses so I can book a pre-holiday over nighter with my family!
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Awesome! I hope you’ll be able to come. I’m not giving out specific house addresses—–those will be included with ticket purchases as a way to protect privacy as much as possible—–but the homes are all in the Idaho Falls area.
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Is just the outsides of the homes, or inside too?
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It’s inside too!
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I can’t wait!! I really, really love that you’re doing this. I’ve always ADORED your house whenever I’ve driven by, even before you bought it and made it even cuter!
I have seriously thought about buying a historic house downtown, but I’ve always been a little scared to take the leap (what if it’s drafty, how is the neighborhood going to be?). I would love to talk to you sometime about your experience.
I have a real passion for historic architecture and think is the perfect way to bring a greater appreciation of historic Idaho Falls to the general population.
Cheers!
Whitney
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This is such a sweet comment—I read it last night, and it made my day.
I would love to talk to you about the old-house lifestyle, so please introduce yourself on the tour. Like most of the homeowners, I’ll be at my house to answer questions. Hope to meet you soon!
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😍😍😍 I have been DYING to see most of these homes on the inside! And having them decorated for Christmas time is the icing on the cake! So excited!!!
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I’m so glad you are excited—I’m excited too!
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Thank you for doing this for our community! So excited and great way to get in the spirit of celebrating our Savior’s birth!
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Thanks! I really hope people in our community can get behind the tour because it supports such a great cause. So please tell your friends to come!
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My husband and I are so thrilled. Most of these are homes we have admired for a long time and one we considered buying! Thanks so much for your efforts!
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I would love to hear which one you considered buying—I know a lot of people walked through mine when it was listed in 2011-2012. Thanks for supporting the tour. I promise it’s going to be a good time!
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This is a great idea! I would like to bring a group of ladies 15-20 from my church on the tour Friday night Where can we get a link to purchase tickets? Or can they be purchased at the office?
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I’m so glad you are planning to come—I know you are going to love it! You can purchase tickets here on this blog starting Nov. 1, or you can purchase them at the RE/MAX Prestige office in Idaho Falls at 1684 Elk Creek Drive.
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I am SOOOO excited about this–definitely falls under my “if I could spend my day doing anything” wish list! What a way to capture the Christmas spirit, enjoy class architecture, and support those in need. Thank you!
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At our RE/MAX Prestige office, ticket sales have been increasing. The agents are promoting it to their clients and even giving tickets as gifts. We can’t wait!
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Are the houses close together? Our group is considering renting a limo and making a night of it but don’t want to pay for a limo to just sit in one neighborhood for 3 hours!
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Now THAT sounds like a fun evening! Ten of the houses are within one mile of each other, but one is 10 minutes to the east and another is about ten minutes beyond that. Hope that helps!
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Darn! We will be out of town that weekend! I have been looking for an opportunity to see local architecture and learn the cultural anthropology of the region (I studied both Architecture and Cultural Anthropology). We just moved to the area from Houston but I grew up in Northern Utah and my Pioneer Ancestors are spread out all over the Northern Utah and Southern Idaho region and I am excited to learn more about and get involved with the local history and culture. Please not only let me know more about these tours but how I can get involved! I feel a non-profit about to grow out of these efforts!!! I’d love to help make it happen! Sign me up!!!
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Thanks so much for your interest! If this year goes well, I would like to turn the tour into an annual event; if that happens, I will definitely keep you in mind when putting together a committee.
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This is so exciting! I love older homes. We bought a house on 19th a year ago and we are remodelling inside while living in it and everyone who comes in loves what we have done! There are sooo many cute houses in the area that just need some love, landscaping and a fresh coat of paint! Thank you for putting this event together.
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If we buy our tickets at the barn will we be gave a map with all the addresses of the other homes or do we need to print them off somewhere?
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Hi there! When you purchase the tickets, the addresses will be on the back of the ticket. And just a reminder, you can attend both days with your ticket. Let me know if you have more questions.
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I purchased my tickets on line and I was wondering if there was a list of addresses? I recognize most of the houses but am unsure about a few.
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After your purchase, you should have received an email from Evenybrite, and that message will have a list of addresses. Let me know if you have more questions.
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We loved the home tour today the 8th. Please thank all of the home owners for letting us bring straw, mud and water into their home.
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