Community Corner

Lithia Bed and Breakfast to Host 'A Christmas to Remember'

Palmer House Bed & Breakfast opens its doors to the public Dec. 2-3 to raise funds for a children's home.

Residents looking for inspiration for holiday decorating need look no further than Lithia.

Palmer House Bed & Breakfast at 2221 Hinton Ranch Rd., Lithia, will open its doors this weekend, offering Christmas unique decorating ideas, holiday gift items to purchase, refreshments and live holiday music.

Palmer House's "A Christmas to Remember" is set for Dec. 2-3 from 3 to 8 p.m.

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The open house and tour of the bed and breakfast has become a holiday tradition for innkeeper Gail Palmer.

"We're really excited about this year's event," said Palmer. "We have a number of wonderful vendors who will be selling Christmas and gift items."

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Palmer, with the help of her staff and family, spent about a week decorating the bed and breakfast with its six themed bed rooms available for guests as well as the common areas.

The centerpiece is a majestic 12-foot Christmas tree that dominates the living room with its 24-foot ceilings. Each of the six bedrooms also has a  tree in keeping with the room's theme. Throughout the house are festive garlands and wreaths, miniature Christmas villages and nativity scenes.

"Each year we add a little bit more to the decorations," said Palmer.

During the open house, there will be gift items for sale including wreaths, handmade soaps created by Shirley Cook of Mama's Soaps in Brandon, items from 31 Gifts, handpainted ornaments and handmade jewelry by Val Harris, leaf art by Payton Weiss, handmade children's clothing from Gumballs and Overalls and Fishhawk Trails resident Rachel Christmas and chocolates from Neumeister's Candy Shoppe in Plant City.

Palmer has been hosting the holiday open house for eight years, each year benefitting a different charity. Last year's open house raised funds for the Women's Resource Center in Brandon. This year's event will benefit the Florida Baptist Children's Home in Lakeland.

"I became involved with the children's home when they asked me to help them with an extreme makeover of one of their cottages," said Palmer. "We decorated the bedrooms where the foster kids stay. But, while I was there, I noticed that the 1940s-era kitchen and bathroom needed remodeling. So this year's open house will raise funds for the remodeling."

For a $10 donation, residents will be treated to holiday refreshments served by Mrs. Claus in the gazebo, Christmas carols, strolling violinists, a tour of the bed and breakfast's nine rooms and the chance to do some Christmas shopping.Visitors also will be entered into a drawing for a chance to win a weekend stay at the bed and breakfast.

"It's a great way for the community to get into the Christmas spirit," said Palmer.

Opened in 2002, Palmer House is a Victorian farmhouse located in rural Lithia.

For information, call 813-654-0961 or visit www.Palmer-House.com.

 

 

 


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