Home tour host: ‘I am into Christmas’

Annual Tipp City event is Dec. 2.Fan of holiday happy to share spirit.

John Miller says he’s always loved Christmas.

His home is evidence of that love.

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Miller, a retired educator, drew from a personal collection of decorations to bring the holiday spirit to his home for the annual Tippecanoe Christmas in the Village Home Tour.

Miller’s half of a duplex in a 1920s house on West Plum Street is one of nine homes north of the historic downtown featured on this year’s tour scheduled for Dec. 2. This year’s theme is Candy Cane Christmas.

There’s little doubt it’s Christmas from the time a visitor steps on his front porch, greeted by chair cushions in a peppermint candy pattern. Inside, there’s a wide variety of decorations, including numerous Santas, colorful wrapped gifts, decorated trees and other Christmas-related items everywhere.

“I am into Christmas. They always look for me at the printers in October for my Christmas cards,” Miller said with a laugh.

Many of the Santas, several patriotic, were gifts from staff members over the years.

“This has been a lot of fun,” Miller said.

The dining room table, part of each home’s display, was designed and decorated by interior designer Diana Begley of Tipp City. Miller said he knew Begley from past work on the tour, and was pleased she chose his home.

Begley said she decided to make the tabletop more compact to go along with the smaller size of Miller’s home. “I chose a French Country theme, which helps plan the table in my mind,” she said.

Hoping to create something unique and different, Begley incorporated in the design cranberries, silver and lace along with rustic items and a book of poetry. A silver champagne bucket, borrowed from a relative, holds a small Christmas tree. “You can do little things like that to make it unique,” Begley said.

Those interested in creating their own display should look through decorative items they have, and borrow from others, if needed. For example, she incorporated in Miller’s table a lace tablecloth she had owned but not used for years.

The home tour will be from noon to 5 p.m. Tickets are $20 in advance and $25 the day of the tour. Two houses on the tour also are businesses, said Chris Stapleton of the Christmas in the Village committee. Proceeds from the tour benefit local nonprofit organizations.

For more information, go online to www.tippchristmas.com.

Contact this contributing writer at nancykburr@aol.com.

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