Members of the Cambridge Rivers' Edge Gardeners, 75 volunteers and five homeowners are hoping to help residents get into the holiday spirit this weekend.
The third annual Homes for the Holidays charitable fundraising tour is taking place in five houses across four locations.
Homes in Cambridge, Kitchener, Sheffield and Washington will be draped in Christmas decor for people to view.
Proceeds from each ticket, which are $25 and can be purchased at various local businesses, go towards buying trees, plants and shrubs for Habitat for Humanity Waterloo Region projects.
Mother-daughter duo Josie Madsen and Nicki Frigula are two of the people that have prepared their homes for others to enjoy on Saturday and Sunday.
For Madsen, it's the opportunity to bring people together that made her want to get involved. She's found as time passes and the world changes, the intimacy of in-person interactions has become increasingly important in keeping people connected.
"It's always been special," Madsen said of the holidays.
"Because it's a time when you make an effort to see people you don't see as often as you'd want to. I still mail Christmas cards. People say it's a lot of work but I don't look at it that way. I like sharing my passion."
Frigula agrees.
Add in the fact the money is being given to a good cause and it was an easy decision to open the doors of her home.
"I enjoy it, it's good for the community," Frigula said.
"I like to share my Christmas spirit because I love it."
As a mother herself now, Frigula's love of the season has been rejuvenated by watching the excitement of her children.
"They're so excited and they're anticipating Santa," Frigula said.
"It's just fun. It's something you grew up with as a kid and now you get to do it with your kids. We take a lot of pride in our property and our home, so why not share it?"
Jeanette Berenz of the CREG has been instrumental in bringing the tour back to life over the past three years.
The idea is a resurrection of the IODE's Homes for the Holidays that took place for years until it was halted before the pandemic. It was an event the board members of the CREG always looked forward to, so they decided to put one on themselves.
"It gets everyone in that warm spirit," Berenz said.
"With such ugliness in the world right now, it so nice you get people out. I hope people take away friendship, companionship, joy and time out with friends and family."
The locations of participating homes are given upon the purchase of a ticket.
Tours are self-guided from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
