It’s time for me to make my annual apology about how early the Hormel Historic Home embraces the Christmas holiday.

I am sorry if it seems that we skip over Thanksgiving and jump right into Christmas. Our organization has so much to be thankful for and our gratitude is directed at you for overlooking our eagerness to decorate at this time of year.

If you happened to see the recent Austin Daily Herald article about the long-standing tradition and process of celebrating the holidays at the Hormel Historic Home, then you hopefully understand our eagerness.

Although no one commands that we put a Christmas tree in every room or that even the bathrooms should have holiday dazzle, it is our wish that this lovely home be a holiday showcase for all to enjoy. Through festive, classic, and unique decorations, visitors are enchanted by an elegant yet cozy home that once held the laughter and holiday cheer of an historic family.

Our holiday event schedule offers an opportunity for people of all ages to enjoy the home.

•Thursday, Nov. 15: Holiday Card/Game Party, noon to 4 p.m. $10 per person sponsored by the Y’s Women. Bring a game and a group of friends for an afternoon of fun.

•Friday, Nov. 16: Holiday Tea Luncheon featuring the Austinaires, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.m$15 per person.

•Saturday, Nov. 17: Soup & Santa, 10:30 a.m. or 12:30 p.m. $5 per person. Reservations Required.

•Saturday, Nov. 17: Holiday Open House, 2-5 p.m.  $5 per person. This is the only Saturday the home will be open to the public during this holiday season.

The house will be decorated through December, if not a little longer, so if none of the open house events work into your schedule, you are invited to drop by for a self-guided tour during our regular hours of Monday through Friday between 10 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. beginning Monday, Nov. 19. Tours are $5 per person or free for members of the HHH.

It takes many to make the holidays special at the HHH, so I give thanks in advance to those who will bring the Christmas season to life in the coming weeks. I am thankful for their passion, drive, dedication, and talent, and for their willingness to share these gifts with us.

My columns throughout November will feature more examples of what I am grateful for this year at the HHH.

Go to www.hormelhistorichome.org for more details on our 2018 Holiday Open House.

What’s Happening at the HHH

History Happy Hour: National Register of Historic Places in Your Neighborhood

5:30 p.m. Social, 6 p.m.

Presentation, Monday, Nov. 12

Presented by Denis Gardner of the Minnesota Historical Society. Free for members of the Mower County Historical Society, Friends of the Library, and the HHH. $5 for non-members.

ASD Parent/Caregiver Event

“Working Together Through the Special Education Process.” This event has been rescheduled to Monday, Dec. 3.