On the contrary, this year's Homes for the Holidays—which takes place all day Dec. 5 and 6—features public tours through four Los Gatos homes that Bay Area interior designers and floral designers have "dressed up" for the holidays. One home also contains a holiday boutique area where vistors can purchase eclectic gifts or acquire raffle tickets for a small donation.

The Richardson residence on Broadway is the venue for the boutique, which includes gourmet food, handmade glass ornaments, nutcrackers, silk orchids, cookie-making kits, plush toys, satin gift bags, jewelry and live plants, flowers and topiaries. Not to be eclipsed by the boutique, this two-story Colonial Revival home in the Mission style is impressive in its own right, with a recessed entry, front patio balustrade, arched side entry and red-tiled, gabled roof.

A few blocks away on Peralta Avenue is the Sterns family residence, built to resemble a Provençale farmhouse. Its stylish walls and classic French shutters provide privacy, while the master bedroom provides the unique spaciousness that comes from converting an old stable into living quarters.

Nearby Glenridge is a street filled with historical Victorian and Craftsman-style homes. Among them is the Becks' 4,000-square foot modified Craftsman with slate roofs, Connecticut bluestone porches and other stonework. Los Gatos architect Gary Schloh was the home's designer.

The Bowen and Ault-Riche residence on Massol is a New England-style home built in 1889 for Martin Van Buren Daves, the namesake of Daves Avenue School. Two of its four fireplace mantels are hand-carved French imports; the third mantel is set with tiles hand-painted in Holland.

The Summit League—a nonprofit organization dedicated to raising funds for education, health, welfare and arts programs—donates Homes for the Holidays proceeds to a different charitable cause each year. The beneficiary this time is Downtown College Preparatory, which enrolls low-achieving, urban, minority students and prepares them to attend a four-year college or university.

The DCP, as it is known among students and faculty, has two campuses in downtown San Jose. In its third year of operation, it is the first charter school in the San Jose Unified School District. It is a public school, so there is no cost to attend.

Homes for the Holidays tickets are $30 per person in advance and $35 on the day of the event. Parking is available in the parking lot of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, 15985 Rose Ave. in Monte Sereno, with free shuttle service running throughout the day. For more information, call 408.494.9225