Share your favorite holiday heirloom

Now that Thanksgiving's behind us, it's time to unpack your holiday decor (if you haven't already) — and share your favorite decoration as part of our annual "Holiday Heirloom" feature.

It doesn't matter what you celebrate — Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, winter solstice or something else. Your favorite holiday heirloom can be beautiful and unusual — or humble and homemade. We're looking for decorations with a story behind them — touching, bittersweet or funny.

If you have an heirloom with a tale to tell, share it. Send a few sentences about your decoration and what makes it special to you, along with a digital photo, to: kim.palmer@startribune.com. Or mail a snapshot and brief description to: Kim Palmer, Star Tribune Newsroom, 425 Portland Av. S., Minneapolis MN 55488. We'll feature a few of the most interesting tales in an upcoming story in the Variety section and on www.startribune.com. But don't delay — the deadline is Dec. 10.

KIM PALMER

Holiday tours at the 'People's House'

The Minnesota governor's residence has gotten a designer spruce-up for the holiday season, and you're invited to take a look. Six local designers (Studio Emme, Holiday Bliss, Mama's Happy, Scussi, Foxglove Market and Quince) have donated their time and materials to create holiday decorations for the interior of the residence, which will be open for free public tours from 1 to 3 p.m. on Dec. 2, 9 and 16. No reservations are required; tours will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis. In the solarium, there is a live 10-feet tree decorated with ornaments created by patients at Amplatz Children's Hospital. Each tour will feature a live performance by local musicians, and docents will be on hand to answer questions about the residence.

The residence is a collection site for Second Harvest Heartland, the Midwest's largest hunger-relief program, and will be accepting donations of nonperishable food items throughout the holiday season.

The residence is at 1006 Summit Av., St. Paul.

KIM PALMER

Poinsettias and more

Accent your tables and front entry with fresh holiday plants this year. A free "Decorating With Holiday Plants" seminar gives ideas on using poinsettias, Christmas cactus, cyclamen, greens and foliage, 6 p.m. Dec. 5, and 11 a.m. Dec. 13, Gertens, 5500 Blaine Av., Inver Grove Heights. For details, go to www.gertens.com.

Lynn Underwood