MUKILTEO — It’s a joy to the world, or at least to Snohomish County.
Sally and Tom Joy will display their 70 nutcrackers, 75 Santa figures, 10 themed Christmas trees and a large nativity scene during the annual Holiday Home Tour by the Assistance League of Everett.
The Joy home is decked out with boughs of holly, poinsettias and lots of fun for the Christmas tour, which is set for 1 to 7 p.m. Dec. 4 through five homes in the Harbor Lane area of Everett and off 84th Street in Mukilteo.
Sally Joy, 72, a member of the Assistance League since retiring from Bank of America in downtown Seattle, has been collecting Christmas decorations for years.
“It’s my favorite holiday,” she said. “I decorate for others, but this one is my favorite. And I love hosting Christmas parties.”
The Joys designed their 17-year-old house, which features unobstructed views of Puget Sound. In between the delightful holiday displays, catch glimpses of the couple’s art collection, which includes glasswork by son Mark Joy as well as artwork by Northwest favorites Richard Gilkey and Paul Horiuchi. Take note, too, of the couple’s beautiful clocks, including a grandfather clock from 1792.
The tour takes place on the top floor of the 4,000-square-foot home. Each room features something special, from the flowers in the powder room to the model train in the living room. Even Tom Joy’s den is decorated. Retired from Boeing, Tom, 80, also plans to display his 1946 taupe Studebacker in the garage.
The various Christmas trees around the house feature ornaments collected on the Joys’ travels, older orbs from the 1950s and one tree decorated with miniature cars.
Their dining room is set with dishes to be raffled during the tour. Matching serving dishes will be for sale, and a Bali Wedding Star quilt will be raffled as well.
The tour includes a gift shop, entertainment by Santa and his carolers, wine from Port Gardner Bay Winery and numerous raffle baskets.
Each house will feature tasty nibbles from local chefs. James Abbott from Buck’s American Cafe will be serving at the Joy house. Other chefs involved include Dean Shinagawa from Kama’aina Grindz, Lindsay Herschlip from LJ’s Bistro & Bar, John Lundeen from Bluewater Organic Distilling and Jeff Darah from Bleacher’s Grill at Cedar Crest.
Proceeds from the event will benefit the Assistance League’s Operation School Bell, which provides new clothing for children and teens from low-income families.
Be inspired by the decorations and be joyful about the gift you make.
Assistance League of Everett Holiday Home Tour
1 to 7 p.m. Monday, Dec. 4, through five area homes.
Tickets purchased in advance are $30, available at Stadium Flowers, Barbara’s Floral, Joy Works, J. Matheson Gifts and the Assistance League Thrift Shop. On the day of the tour, tickets are $35, available at the thrift store, 5107 Evergreen Way, Everett. More information is at www.assistanceleagueofeverett.org.
The self-guided tour is in no particular order, so feel free to start in the middle or at the end, organizers said.
