I realize I should be saying Happy Halloween or Happy Thanksgiving, and I am a big fan of those two holidays, but at the Hormel Historic Home, we are already in Christmas mode.

I wish we had the ability to decorate the entire property in just a few hours allowing us to wait until further into the season to begin the decorating process, but it doesn’t work like that. Our indoor and outdoor decorating crews are already busy planning eye catching displays and working on bows, ornaments and holiday inspiration. The HHH is fortunate to have passionate volunteers and staff to make the seasonal magic come to life, even if it is a little early.

The mission and philosophy of most house museums is to capture a period of time and share it with visitors as a glimpse into the lifestyle of previous occupants. It is quite common, and unofficially mandatory, that house museums create historically accurate interior designs to amp up the cheer during the holidays.

Hormel Historic Home holiday tours invite visitors inside to experience the elegance and charm of a home all dressed up for Christmas.  From grand estates like the Biltmore in Asheville, North Carolina, and the Brucemore Mansion in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, to smaller regional House Museums like the Ramsey House in St. Paul, Mayowood in Rochester and the Hormel Historic Home in Austin. Guests enjoy a step back in time while being inspired by beauty, creativity and history.

A tradition at the HHH during the holidays is to serve cranberry cake with butter sauce at our open house events. It is a popular treat that I think George Hormel would have enjoyed. His childhood Christmases were filled with delicious treats made by his mother.

He wrote, “Mother was always a genius in the kitchen and about the stove, and on Christmas she was at her best, preparing a variety of good and attractive things which make young hearts glad and happy. Cookies in many shapes, heart-shaped, round, stars, animals, all were sprinkled with a variety of colored sugar. How good these looked and tasted, especially when we saw them taken out of the oven in large pans. The atmosphere of the large kitchen was filled with their appetizing aroma, and we literally were breathing Christmas with every breath we drew.”

We hope your holiday plans include a visit to the Hormel Historic Home for one of our many holiday events. You will enjoy beauty and treats that will start your season in grand style.

•Thursday, Nov. 17: Holiday Card Playing Party, noon

•Friday, Nov. 18: Enchanted Evening Tours with Bissen Family Concert, 6 p.m.

•Saturday, Nov. 19: Open house with entertainment, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

•Saturday, Nov. 19: Soup & Santa, 4:30 p.m.

For more information or to purchase tickets please visit www.hormelhistorichome.org or call 507-433-4243.

Storytelling Festival featuring Michael Cotter and friends

Friday and Saturday

Be entertained and inspired by Michael, Bev Jackson Cotter, Chuck Suchy, and Nothandu Zulu.

Friday: Dinner and Show, $30 per person, 5:30 p.m.

Friday: Show only, $15 per person, 7:30 p.m.

Saturday: Get to know the Tellers and Open Mic Telling, $10 per person, 9 a.m.

Piano Master Class

2 to 3 p.m., Nov. 6

Piano Master Class featuring four area youth, presented by pianist Peggy Reich. Free to public.