Christmas at Biltmore offers the makings of a holiday tradition for family and friends

ASHEVILLE, N.C., Dec. 14 /PRNewswire/ -- Who among us hasn't struggled to come up with the perfect Christmas gift for the special person or people in our lives? It can be stressful, expensive and time-consuming. And too often, the gift is long-forgotten once the holidays pass.

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20091214/CL25535 )

Giving an experience, however, is a thoughtful idea that will make lasting memories for friends and loved ones. A visit to Asheville, N.C.'s annual Christmas at Biltmore is one such experience-based gift that offers a full day of holiday fun that is sure to provide memories to fill at least one scrapbook. Biltmore House, America's largest privately owned home, features some of the nation's most elaborate decorations, now through Jan. 3, 2010.

Families visiting the estate during the holidays will naturally create memories to last a lifetime. "Family," in fact, is an unofficial theme at Biltmore this year since two generations of the Vanderbilt family were actually born in a suite of rooms that opened to the public for the first time in Biltmore House. This year's holiday display takes its cues from the colors and fabrics of these new rooms, and decorative holiday touches incorporate Vanderbilt family portraits.

Guests travel from across the country each year for this Christmas tradition, which began when George W. Vanderbilt first opened his 175,000 square-foot Biltmore House on Christmas Eve 1895. To this day, Vanderbilt's descendants carry on the traditions he started, including the installation of a North Carolina-grown 35-foot-tall Christmas tree in the home's Banquet Hall.

The estate -- which is home to Biltmore Winery, Inn on Biltmore Estate, ten retail shops and five restaurants -- is open for both daytime and candlelight evening visits. Children ages 9 and younger are admitted free with accompanying adult; during Christmas week, children 16 and younger are admitted free with accompanying adult.

Tickets may be purchased at www.biltmore.com/buy_tickets/admission.asp. The cost of this memorable holiday experience is less than many people will spend on dinner for two, retail gift cards or even a new outfit. More information about what a gift to Christmas at Biltmore visit includes can be found at www.biltmore.com/visit.

About Biltmore

Located in Asheville, N.C., Biltmore was the vision of George W. Vanderbilt, who first opened Biltmore House to family and friends on Christmas Eve 1895. Designed by Richard Morris Hunt, America's largest home is a 250-room French Renaissance chateau, exhibiting the Vanderbilt family's original collection of furnishings, art and antiques. Biltmore estate encompasses more than 8,000 acres including renowned gardens designed by Frederick Law Olmsted, the father of American landscape architecture.

SOURCE The Biltmore Company

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