It's the 12th year for the Homes for the Holidays Tour in Portage la Prairie, a local fundraiser for Habitat for Humanity. Committee Member Dana Geisel outlines their tour for this year.

"This year we're excited to have five homes in Portage and the surrounding area for which people can buy a ticket and go out and tour. They're all decorated for the holidays by local businesses and local volunteers."

She says they added new items for the annual auction.

Dana Geisel"We also have lined up some really interesting and exciting auction items this year. Traditionally in the past we've had wreaths and trees for auction. And this year we're trying to change it up a little bit. So, we still have the trees and wreaths, but we've got some little surprises in store if they purchase a ticket and get out there to see the tour. We've partnered with some local crafters, and some antique dealers. There are some interesting finds this year."

Geisel says the five homes participating include a century home, others that were renovated, along with some new builds.

She attributes the succes for their ticket sales each year to people who want to support local businesses. Geisel notes between 700 to 800 tickets are usually sold. The tour also includes the Tin for a Bin food drive put on by the Salvation Army, adding the Salvation Army has to come in more than once to empty the bins due to the overwhelming donations provided. Geisel adds in the 12 years gone by they've raised well over $120,000 for Habitat for Humanity.

Tickets are $22 in their early bird sale to the end of October. Once November hits, tickets are then $25 and can be picked up at Bryson's, Canadian Tire, Mil Jeanne Flowers & Axcenz, Shapansky's, and Solomon's in Portage la Prairie.