Merrehope opens holiday tour season Sunday
Published 6:17 pm Friday, November 22, 2024
The festively decorated archway, called “Merri Licious,” in the upstairs children’s sitting room of Merrehope was decorated by Super Talk Radio. Photo by Glenda Sanders
The bay window tree in the upstairs Bride’s Room, named “Bella,” was decorated by Belle G Boutique. Photo by Glenda Sanders
This holiday display, called “Merry Rosemas,” featured on the library table in the downstairs library was decorated by Laurel Leaf. Photo by Glenda Sanders.
Amy Tilghman, of A.T. Holiday & Home, puts the final touches on a super bow she made for one of the wreaths to be displayed on Merrehope’s upstairs exterior balcony. Photo by Glenda Sanders.
This tree in the downstairs library, called "Queen Merre," was decorated by World of Flowers and was a tree formerly located in the old F.W. Williams House next door. Photo by Glenda Sanders.
This tree in the upstairs children's sitting room at Merrehope is named "Christmas Divine" and was decorated by Meridian Alumnae of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority. Photo by Glenda Sanders.
This brightly colored tree in the downstairs double parlor, called "Kaleidoscope Christmas," was decorated by designer Wilson Lovett. Photo by Glenda Sanders.
From a sentry of nutcrackers to rhinestone jeweled ribbon to vintage deer ornaments to a cascading display of red-and-pink roses, dozens of decorators and designers have put their own spin on the holiday season as the 56th annual Trees of Christmas at Merrehope kicks off Sunday afternoon with an opening gala.
A beloved holiday event in the Meridian community for more than five decades, Trees of Christmas will open at 1 p.m. with light refreshments, live entertainment and many of the decorators who have helped transform the historic home museum into a festive holiday display.
“I love everyone’s different style and their different tastes and themes in decorating, just all of the colors,” said Amy Tilghman, who on Thursday afternoon was dropping off a few giant wreaths decorated with what she called “super bows” for the exterior balcony. She also made several bows that were used in the outside picnic area and on lamp posts, as well as a wreath hanging on a wall in the Eugenia Gift Shop.
“I love decorating. It’s very peaceful, and it makes me happy and brings me so much joy,” said Tilghman, who used to help decorate at Merrehope when she was involved with the 4-H Club as a teenager.
Now Tilghman has her own side decorating business, A.T. Holiday & Home, so when a member of The Meridian Restorations Foundation Inc., the owners of Merrehope, reached out to her about decorating for Trees of Christmas, she thought it would be a good way to give back to the community.
“I love the history of this place, and I love that it is such a big part of our community,” Tilghman said of Merrehope and the decorated trees surrounding her. “It looks beautiful.”
Merrehope’s Trees of Christmas event, which features newly decorated trees each year, has been previously recognized as one of Mississippi’s Best Holiday Attractions by readers of Mississippi Magazine and currently is nominated for USA Today’s “10 Best Historic Homes Holiday Tour.”
Following Sunday’s opening gala, Merrehope will remain open for daily tours through Dec. 31 except for Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day when the house will be closed. Special holiday hours are 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 1-4 p.m. on Sunday.
Admission to Trees of Christmas is $15 for adults, $10 for seniors and active duty military and $5 for students. Group tours are welcome, and Merrehope is available for private event rentals for evening gatherings on select dates.
Several special events are planned at Merrehope for the holiday season.
On Sunday, Dec. 1, visitors can participate in making an advent wreath from 1-4 p.m. Then on Saturday, Dec. 7, an annual Mimosas & Merrehope brunch is planned from 10 a.m. until noon. Tickets are $50 and advanced purchase is required.
From 1-4 p.m., Sunday, Dec. 8, two special treats are in store for Merrehope’s younger visitors as Santa and Mrs. Claus will be visiting.
Professional photographer Mark Davis will be on hand to take pictures of children with Santa by Merrehope’s Victorian Tree, a traditional event the Meridian Restorations Foundation brought back last holiday season. The photos turned out to be such a success, they are offering them again this year. The cost for Pictures with Santa is $20, not including the tour.
Also that day, Mrs. Claus will be on hand to join children for some cocoa and delicious cookies while they are touring the trees and having their photos taken. The cost is $5 for children and students for the tour and Cocoa and Cookies with Mrs. Claus.
From 6-8 p.m., Thursday, Dec. 12, visitors can bring their own spirits and experience the glowing Trees of Christmas at night under thousands of twinkling lights. The festive event includes holiday refreshments, entertainment and tours of the home. The cost to attend is $15.
From 5-7:30 p.m., Thursday, Dec. 19, Courtney Taylor of Wild Soul Yoga will be on hand to conduct a relaxing yoga practice and meditation among the decorated holiday trees. Participants also will have a chance to tour Trees of Christmas. The cost to attend is $15.
Bringing the six-week Trees of Christmas to a close will be a “Toast Together” Reception from 1-4 p.m., Tuesday, Dec. 31.
Merrehope is located at 905 Martin Luther King Jr. Drive in Meridian.
For more information about Trees of Christmas, to inquire about group tours or private events or to purchase tickets, visit merrehope.com, call 601-483-8439 or email merrehopemeridian@gmail.com.
