Two area homes on annual Christmas Tour Sunday

Many homeowners across the county are getting into the spirit of the season this week by decking their halls with Christmas cheer.
However, a few of them are already finished trimming the trees. Now they are opening their doors to get everyone in the holiday mood for a good cause.  
The Lancaster Garden Club’s 25th annual Christmas Tour of Homes, from 3 to 6 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 4, features two homes in the Indian Land area.
The tour, which traditionally hosts a cross section of homes decorated for the holidays, includes the Millstone Creek home of Dave and Collene Frank (2017 Colorado Court) and the Waxhaw home of Darren Crenshaw (3108 Bridgewick Road) in the Millbridge subdivision. Millbridge is a sister development to Edenmoor on the North Carolina side of the state line.
Decorating with nature
The Franks moved to Millstone Creek six years ago to get back to the country and their holiday decorations reflect that, Collene said.
“Everything is decorated around nature,” she said. “For example, we have a bird tree and a snowman tree. I want our guests to appreciate what decorating can be from the awesomeness of what we have.”
Empty-nesters with four grown children, the Franks moved to the United States from Canada 14 years ago. Dave is a professional photographer and Collene is a registered nurse who works in Charlotte.
With no children at home, eight Christmas trees in the house may seem a bit much, but Collene said she doesn’t  decorate any differently than when her children were young and running through the house on Christmas Eve.
“Maybe it takes a little more time to do it, but that’s it,” she said. “There is nothing in our house that’s labeled breakable, frou-frou or stuffy. We want everyone to be comfortable when they walk through our front door.”
Christmas Eve feeling
Darren Crenshaw still enjoys the holiday magic Christmas Eve brings when the 20-plus members of his family visit on Dec. 24.
“To see them all together and enjoying themselves is always a great feeling,” he said. “To me, that’s what always makes Christmas fun.”
The opportunity to be close to his family is what drew Crenshaw, a Lancaster native, back here from Charlotte three years ago. His favorite Christmas of all was in 2009, when his grandmother, the late Robbie White, stayed with him throughout the holidays.
“That was her last Christmas and having her here is a very special memory for me,” he said. “You always remember times like that.”
Crenshaw describes his furnishings in two words – comfortable and uncluttered.
“I don’t like a house where it looks like you’re scared to sit on the furniture,” he said.
Crenshaw applies that mantra to his home’s interior every day of the year, not just at Christmas time. However, he said that doesn’t mean it has to be plain or bland.
“I kind of fly by the seat of my pants,” he said. “I try to tailor Christmas decorations to the house and what’s already here,” he said.
For example, everything in the master bedroom is blue and brown, so the Christmas decorations there reflect that.
Crenshaw finds his decorating ideas in cyberspace and by walking around craft shows and Christmas shops where decorations are on display. Crenshaw said he then takes those ideas and builds on them in a budget-friendly way.  
“I think that folks will see that,” he said.
Guests on Sunday will also have the opportunity to see Crenshaw’s pet Yorkie, Toby.
“I have zero problems with Toby bothering anything in the house,” Crenshaw said, laughing. “The only thing he’s interested in is his toys.”

Want to go?

The Lancaster Garden Club’s 25th annual Christmas Tour of Homes will be 3 to 6 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 4.
Homes on this year’s tour include: Dave and Collene Frank, 2017 Colorado Court (in the Millstone Creek subdivision off Charlotte Highway); Darren Crenshaw, 3108 Bridgewick Road (in the Edenmoor/Millbridge subdivision off Charlotte Highway near the intersection of Waxhaw Highway (S.C. 75); and in Lancaster, the Ida Foxhall home, 305-D W. Dunlap St.,; the Historic Lancaster County Courthouse, 100 N. Main St.; and Kilburnie, the Inn at Craig Farm, 1824 Craig Farm Road.
Tickets ($10 each) may be purchased from garden club members or at these Lancaster locations: Allen Tate Realtors, 311 N. Main St.; Elizabeth Ann’s Interiors and Gifts, 400 N. Main St.; Lancaster County Council of the Arts, 201 W. Gay St.; and Historic Lancaster County Courthouse Welcome Center, 100 N. Main St. (lower level).
For details, contact Brenda Brown at (803) 286-7543 or brenda.brown@atcmail.com or Pat Thompson at (803) 287-6688 or sparkypat@comporium.net.