
Christmas goes big —
The Biltmore House in Asheville, North Carolina, makes a very big deal out of decorating for the holidays.

Christmas goes big —
George Washington Vanderbilt hosted a Christmas Eve bash back in 1895, when his 135,000-square-foot home was completed. Candlelight visits are available to visitors who want a taste of that evening.

Christmas goes big —
While the Winchester Mystery House in San Jose, California, is well-known for supposed paranormal activities, the spirit of Christmas takes over each holiday season.

Christmas goes big —
Take one of the Winchester Mystery House's daily tours to see more than 20 designer Christmas trees, including this one in the morning room, and other holiday fun.

Christmas goes big —
Marble House is one of three impressive Gilded Age "cottages" that's decked out for the annual Christmas at the Newport Mansions event in Newport, Rhode Island.

Christmas goes big —
Marble House was inspired by the Petit Trianon at Versailles and completed in 1892 for Mr. and Mrs. William K. Vanderbilt.

Christmas goes big —
Marjorie Merriweather Post's Hillwood Estate in Washington hosts an annual Russian Winter Festival, taking place this year on December 14 and 15.

Christmas goes big —
The home, purchased by Post in 1955, opened as a museum in 1977. Post wanted to share her extensive collections of Russian imperial art and French decorative art.

Christmas goes big —
Christmas decor from the 1850s is on display all month at Oak Alley Plantation in Vacherie, Louisiana.

Christmas goes big —
Oak Alley is decorated with holiday floral arrangements, greenery and fresh fruit, echoing the Louisiana traditions of Christmases past.



