Tennessee Residence 2024 Christmas Tours: "Tender Tennessee Christmas"

Governor Bill Lee and First Lady Maria Lee invite you to celebrate the holiday season with Christmas at the Tennessee Residence. The Tennessee Residence will be decorated for Christmas and open for public tours on Friday, Dec. 6 – Sunday, Dec. 8 and Friday, Dec. 13 – Sunday, Dec. 15.

Christmas in Tennessee is unlike any other, and this year’s Christmas at the Tennessee Residence will display a "Tender Tennessee Christmas." Through the spectacular Christmas décor, guests will be immersed into the idyllic and timeless traditions that capture Christmases of Tennessee’s past and present.

Families, individuals, and groups are welcome to register for a tour of Tennessee's home that is sure to bring all the delight and merriment of the holiday season.

Self-guided tours are available during the dates and times indicated on the event sign up page. Tour reservations are required.

For more information, please see below or visit www.tn.gov/residence.

Questions? Contact the Tennessee Residence at [email protected] or 615-399-4254.

Governor and First Lady Lee are continuing their beloved Christmas tradition of inviting guests to bring requested items in support of nonprofits across the state.

The First Lady’s initiative, Tennessee Serves, works to mobilize Tennesseans to serve their neighbors and highlight nonprofits doing transformative work across the state. In partnership with Tennessee Serves, the Governor and First Lady invite guests to participate in giving back during the holiday season by bringing requested items to support the work of five nonprofits across the state. The five nonprofits serve diverse groups of Tennesseans and represent each Grand Division.

Guests are encouraged to bring items to donate from the nonprofits' lists provided below. Donated items will be collected at the start of each tour and placed under Christmas trees in Conservation Hall that have been decorated to represent each nonprofit.

Donations are NOT required to attend. Items should be new (or gently used where specified). Items should NOT be gift-wrapped.

Cash donations CANNOT be accepted onsite at the Tennessee Residence; however, online donation links for each nonprofit are provided below and onsite at the Christmas tours.

Collected items will benefit pregnant and new mothers and their babies in West Tennessee

For Moms:

• Fuzzy socks
• Makeup bags
• Lotions
• Lip balms

For Babies:

• Baby wipes
• Lovey cuddle blankets
• Pacifiers
• Burp cloths
• Bibs
• Hooded towels
• Baby socks
• Diaper rash cream
• Diaper bags
• Baby spoons
• Baby plates

Collected items will benefit survivors of human trafficking in Middle Tennessee

• Blankets
• Athletic shoes (any sizes)
• Book of stamps
• Journals
• Bibles
• Walmart gift cards ($20 value)
• Amazon gift cards ($20 value)

Collected items will benefit low-income families, veterans, foster children, and those impacted by natural disaster in Middle Tennessee

• Kitchen utensils
• Pots and pans
• Dishes
• Children’s clothing and shoes (all sizes)
• Children's hygiene items
• Baby car seats

Collected items will meet needs of unhoused and low-income families in East Tennessee

• Unwrapped preschool toys
• Barbie dolls and accessories
• Matchbox or hotwheels cars and accessories
• Legos
• Lincoln logs
• Socks, underwear, t-shirts (Adult and Child)
• Gas cards for Walmart, Food City, and Kroger
• Baby shampoo
• Children’s toiletries (*not toothbrushes)
• Deodorant (adult and child)
• Body wash for sensitive skin
• Copy paper
• HP 65 black and colored ink
• Books or rolls of First Class postage stamps
• 10-inch security envelopes
• 5160 Avery labels
• Laundry baskets

Collected items will meet needs of low-income individuals and families in rural East Tennessee

• Canned meats
• Dry beans
• Flour
• Oatmeal
• Rice
• Soups
• Canned vegetables
• Toilet paper
• Hygiene products (shampoo, conditioner, bodywash, soap, lotion, deodorant, toothbrushes, toothpaste)
• Garden seeds
• School supplies
• Socks
• Hats
• Gift Cards (Walmart, Dollar General, Save a Lot, Family Dollar)
• Gas Cards (Exxon, Marathon)

Check-in and parking information will be provided in a confirmation email upon securing a tour reservation.

Are there ID requirements or age limits to enter the event?

Photo IDs are required for adults to help expedite the check-in process. Children will not need a photo ID.

What are my transportation/parking options for getting to the Tennessee Residence?

Parking WILL NOT be available onsite for tours due to the property’s parking limitations. All visitors are required to park at the designated parking lot for shuttle transportation to the Tennessee Residence at Woodmont Hills Church, 3710 Franklin Pike, Nashville, TN 37204. Shuttles will transport guests from Woodmont Hills Church to the Tennessee Residence and will return guests to their vehicles at the Woodmont Hills lot upon completion of the tour.

Shuttles will be ADA Accessible. It is recommended to arrive to the shuttle lot 10 minutes prior to the scheduled tour time.

Where do I check in on the day of my tour?

Check-in and parking information will be provided in a confirmation email upon securing a tour reservation.

What can/can't I bring to the event?

Cameras are allowed on the tour; however, it is requested that flashes be turned off when taking photographs inside of the home due to the sensitivity of the artwork. Strollers and wheelchairs will be accommodated. Guests are prohibited from possessing firearms or weapons of any kind.

Are the tours guided?

Tours are self-guided. Upon entering the home, guest will receive a brochure with information about the home and the decorations to guide them through the tour. There will also be docents and volunteers stationed throughout the home to provide additional information and answer questions.

How long does the tour last?

It is recommended to allow 60-90 minutes for the check-in process and tour of the Tennessee Residence.

Can I update my registration information or change names, timeslots, or emails on my registration?

Registration information can be updated by logging into Eventbrite using the email and account information used to sign up for the tour, going to the "Tickets" page and clicking "Edit." Please see this helpful article from Eventbrite for more information on updating registration.

Please finalize registration information for tour participants no later than 48 hours prior to the tour reservation. The name of each visitor will be checked by security upon arrival; accurate names will expedite this process.

Do I have to bring my printed ticket to the event?

Printed tickets are not required; reservations are listed by names of guests.

Can I purchase tickets for a large group?

Tickets are available for large groups; however, please note that large groups may not be able to travel together from the check-in lot to the Tennessee Residence.

The name on the registration/ticket doesn't match the attendee. Is that okay?

Yes, the tickets are transferrable; however, it is requested that the names under the tour reservation be as accurate as possible. All guests adults will have their ID checked by security during the check-in process.

Are restrooms available at the event?

Restrooms WILL NOT be available at the parking lot for shuttle transportation. Restrooms WILL be available at the Tennessee Residence.

Are tours ADA accessible?

The Tennessee Residence is ADA accessible, and an ADA accessible shuttle bus will be provided.

Can I talk to someone about the Christmas Tours?

For questions about the Christmas tours, please contact the Tennessee Residence at [email protected] or 615-399-4254.

**TENNESSEE RESIDENCE POLICIES**

• Children must be accompanied by an adult at ALL times.

• Food, drinks and chewing gum are not allowed in the Tennessee Residence.

• Large bags or backpacks, video recorders, aerosol containers, guns, ammunition, fireworks, electric stun guns, mace, martial arts weapons/devices or knives of any size are prohibited from the Tennessee Residence.

• Small personal items such as purses and camera bags are allowed and are subject to search at all times.

Host or Publisher Office of the First Lady of Tennessee