Celebrating the Holidays in St. James 2025
Holiday Home Tour
Thank you for attending the 2025 St. James Service Club Holiday Home Tour. We hope you can admire and appreciate the beautiful homes and the chapel as well as the work that went into creating the festive displays for the tour.
To ensure a safe and enjoyable home tour experience here are some guidelines.
The homes on the tour can be visited IN ANY ORDER.
Please carpool since parking is limited.
Please comply with volunteers’ parking and traffic instructions and signage. Parking is restricted to one side of street and approved areas to ensure emergency access.
Avoid parking on residents’ grass.
Please respect homeowners’ furnishings and decorations. Look with your eyes and please don’t touch.
Booties provided where applicable, no bare feet permitted.
Bathroom facilities are available at the Clubs and the Community Center.
Participation is at one’s own risk.
1. The Riska Home - 2568 St. James Drive
THEME: Calmness in the Coastal Carolinas at Christmas
The Riska family cordially invites you to experience their holiday décor. Immerse yourself in a relaxed, serene setting inspired by the natural beauty of the Carolina coast—reflected in each thoughtfully curated detail of the seasonal display. We look forward to sharing this special holiday tradition with you.
Pets on Premise? Yes - dog
Parking Info: ???
2. St. James Chapel - 3620 St. James Drive
Come visit our “Little Chapel in the Woods”, decked out for the holiday season in festive greenery and filled with joyous live holiday music provided by Cape Fear A Cappella, Coastal Harmonizers, Silverwood By the Sea & pianist Peter Borgia throughout the tour! A not to-be-missed tour stop!
As one of the earliest amenities in our community, the St. James Chapel is a tribute to the vision and generosity of St. James founder, Homer Wright. The Chapel design is an exact replica of a remote church that had been moved to the banks of the Cape Fear River many years ago and restored. The Chapel’s exterior was completed in 1991, the interior subsequently followed, and the first service was a Thanksgiving service on November 14, 1995.
Learn more about the Chapel’s history, services, and programs inside. The Chapel depends solely on the generous offerings of the worshippers for its upkeep and maintenance. Many people aren’t aware that the Chapel doesn’t receive any funds from the POA or TOSJ.
***Don’t forget to drop your door prize tickets here for a chance to win a holiday basket of gifts and gift cards from our local business friends like Uncorked By The Sea, Mr. P’s, Nonnie’s Baking Company, The Cheese Shoppe, The Christmas Shop, The Southport Market, and more! Also enjoy live musical performances!
Parking Info: Please park in the Fire Station parking lot by the Garden of Honor – turn off St. James Drive into the parking lot across from Ruddy Duck Lane. Limited parking is available in the Chapel parking lot for those with walking difficulty.
Live Music Performance Schedule
| Date | Group | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Monday, December 8th | Cape Fear A Capella | 10am-11:30am |
| Monday, December 8th | Coastal Harmonizers | 11:30am-1pm |
| Monday, December 8th | Silverwood by the Sea | 2pm-5pm |
| Tuesday, December 9th | Peter Borgia | 10am-1pm |
| Tuesday, December 9th | Silverwood by the Sea | 2pm-5pm |
3. The Reserve Cottage - 3828 Reserve Club Drive
THEME: The Polar Express
ALL ABOARD…Grab your ticket for the most magical journey to the North Pole. Prepare to wipe the hot cocoa “as thick and rich as melted chocolate bars” from you lips as you travel to see Santa give “the first gift of Christmas”. Remember, it’s only for those who truly BELIEVE.
By the way…don’t forget your pj’s!
Pets on Premise? No
Parking Info: Please park in the Reserve Club parking lots
4. The Almeida Home - 4180 Wyndmere Drive
THEME: Family Mementos
The Almeidas open their home and hearts, sharing their special family mementos holiday theme. Bringing together their Irish, Portuguese, and Polish heritages, their holiday decorations embrace their family traditions. Some of the highlights include family keepsakes such as homemade Christmas stockings, hung on the fireplace mantel, items from Portugal collected during many visits there, as well as mementos from Mexico and Poland. Kathy’s 100-year-old aunt crocheted a beautiful table doily, proudly displayed in their living room. Visitors will delight in the Almeida family spirit being shared with all!
Pets on Premise? Yes, cat
Parking Info: ???
5. The Pash Home - 3268 Oceanic Bay Drive
THEME: Candy Land
Gary and Sue Pash have always had a Candy Land Christmas tree, and this year Sue’s creativity has exploded into a full house theme. The importance of family is evident throughout this house as well as the enthusiasm that the homeowners put into the design of every room. Their playful and unique decor are a real holiday delight. Wind your way through this Home Sweet Home and play along with this Sweet Little Game for Sweet Little Folks!
Pets on Premise? ???
Parking Info: ???
6. The Speers Home - 3644 W. Medinah Avenue
“Asian Twist, Christmas Bliss”
This single story home showcases Christmas with a Far East flair! Noelle has multiple collections of items and Christmas décor from Singapore and other Asian countries that will allow you to see Christmas from a different geographical viewpoint. You will enjoy homemade quilts and Tamari balls crafted by Noelle herself, as well as a Chinese Drum Table and a Chinese nativity! Come enjoy their family Christmas tree full of ornaments collected during their travels over the years. Can you guess how many collectible Starbucks mugs you will see?
Pets on Premise? No
Parking Info: ???
7. The Lundgren Home - 4304 Vallamare Court
“Home for the Holidays”
The Lundgren home will fill you with warmth, joy and welcome as classic Christmas splendor abounds. Exquisitely adorned mantels and traditional decor fill the rooms and evoke memories of Christmas’s past. Christmas trees, twinkling lights, and greenery are throughout the home. An elegant antique European Christmas tree stand collection will draw your eyes up the garland draped stairs. It is a home where every detail feels truly from the heart.
Pets on Premise? Yes - the beloved Lundgren dog, Beau, will be in residence during the tour.
Parking Info: ???
