The themes of the four homes participating in the home tour are: The Gifts of Christmas; Reflections on a Southern Christmas; Christmas on Lake Houston and a Winter Garden Wonderland.

Each home is enhanced by the decorative talents of the club members reflecting peace, love, beauty and the spirit of the holidays.

A Reflection on a Southern Christmas encourages everyone to reminisce about their own favorite Christmas memories. Numerous Santas, found all around the house, speak to the child in each of us as Christmas approaches.

Christmas on Lake Houston is where the new world meets the old and Santa arrives at the boat dock.

“During the tour, the home on Hickory Park will be offering guests a chance to shop at the Christmas Market for special items handcrafted by club members. The home on Royal Point Court will give guests an opportunity to purchase some upscale resale items at the Fabulous Finds boutique,” said Cindy Finley, president of the Kingwood Garden Club. “In addition, there will be a raffle. The raffle will include several items from Thomas Markle Jewelers, gift certificates for spa treatments, a painting and much, much more. Tickets will be available for purchase at this home as well.”

Admission is $12 through Dec. 4. Dec. 5 – 7 admission is $15 and the candlelight tour is $20. The ticket entitles the bearer one visit per house during the daytime hours of the tour.

Tickets can be purchased from club members, at Kroger’s, Alspaugh’s Ace Hardware, Amaryllis Floral Designs, Kingwood Garden Center, Kingwood Landscape, Supply & Nursery and Designs Two U or at the door for the daytime tours.

Tickets for the candlelight tour can only be purchased through the garden club Web site, www.kingwoodgardenclub.com or by calling 281-360-4631. No cameras, strollers, or high heels are allowed.

The Kingwood Garden Club is ranked among the top garden clubs in Texas. Every three years the club welcomes the community to join in the celebration of Christmas with the Forest Home Tour. The tour is the principle fund raiser for the club enabling them to carry out a variety of community, educational and philanthropic activities.

Each year the club gives more than $4,000 in college scholarships to graduates of local high schools who study horticulture or related subjects.

“It is because of all who attend this event that we are able to make such a difference in our community. Our wish is that this home tour will be remembered with warm and special feelings by all,” said Finley.

After a day of enjoying the Kingwood Garden Club home tour, a great way to add to the day will be to join the Kingwood Pops Orchestra as they get everyone in the mood to Have a Holly Jolly Christmas! It will be an evening of fun yuletide music and holiday spirit.

This year, the Pops will present three performances; Friday, Dec. 5 at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday, Dec. 6 at 2 and 7:30 p.m.

Tickets are available at H-E-B. Pantry Foods for $20, call 281-319-POPS or at the Nathaniel Center ticket office one hour prior to each performance.

For more information about the Kingwood Pops and the schedule of events, go to www.kingwoodpops.org.

Mark your calendar:

Santa will make a special appearance at the 11th annual Christmas in the Park Festival and Tree Lighting Dec. 6 from 10 a.m.- 6 p.m. The event will feature shopping, entertainment, food and artists from the area, as well as photos with Santa and “decorate your own” gingerbread houses. Randalls Food Market in Kings Crossing sponsors the popular event. Other sponsors include RE/MAX Northeast, Green Mountain Energy and Gameforce.