The holiday season whizzes by before you know it, so why not carve out some &ldquo;me time&rdquo; and take a tranquil tour of lavishly decorated mansions, historic landmarks and contemporary condos?</p><p>Holiday homes tours are plentiful this time of year in the metro area, and there&rsquo;s an assortment to choose from &mdash; Victorian-era homes in Pendleton Heights, mansions along Ward Parkway and brick cottages in Weston, to name a few.</p><p>Most tours offer daytime and evening hours as well as shopping boutiques filled with holiday goodies.</p><p>And there&rsquo;s no need to feel guilty &mdash; you&rsquo;ll be supporting a good cause when you buy a ticket. The Kappa Kappa Gamma holiday homes tour, for example, which features four homes in the Ward Parkway and Mission Hills area, benefits Community Services League, Higher M-Pact and DeLaSalle Education Center.</p><p>Here is a listing of several homes tours in our area. Tickets range from $5 to $25, depending on the tour.</p><p><strong><span class="infobox-head">HOMES OF NOTE TOUR</span></strong><br /> <strong>Nov. 11, 10 a.m.-8 p.m. </strong>Northland tour featuring three homes from three centuries. Benefits Kansas City Symphony. Tickets: $15 in advance at Hen House on 64th Street, Hy-Vee on N.W. Barry Road and all Northland Price Choppers; $20 at the door. Directions and information, 816-587-8804 or <a href="http://www.kcsymphonyguild.org">www.kcsymphonyguild.org</a>. </p><p><strong>JOHNSON COUNTY YOUNG MATRONS&rsquo; HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS TOUR</strong></p><p><strong>Nov. 18, 9:30 a.m.-8 p.m. </strong>Five extraordinary homes in south Leawood and a boutique at the Lodge at Ironwoods Park. Benefits several charities, including Safehome and TLC for Children and Families. Tickets: $18 at Johnson County Hen House and Hy-Vee stores; $20 at the door. Directions and information, <a href="http://www.jcym.net">www.jcym.net</a>. </p><p><strong> 28TH ANNUAL CANDLELIGHT HOMES TOUR IN WESTON</strong></p><p><strong>Nov. 20, 5-8:30 p.m.; Nov. 21, 2-8 p.m.; Nov. 22, 2-7 p.m. </strong>Tour antebellum homes and downtown lofts in this historic town. Tickets: $10 adults; $4 children under 12. Nov. 20 evening tour $25. Directions and information, 816-640-2909, Weston Chamber, a href="http://westonmo.com">westonmo.com</a>. </p><p><strong>LIBERTY SOROPTIMIST HOLIDAY HOMES TOUR</strong></p><p><strong>1-7 p.m. Nov. 21</strong> Tour four local homes, including the president’s home at William Jewell College. Benefits Liberty area charities. Tickets: Two for $15 in advance; $10 each at the door. For more information, call 816-781-1899.</p><p><strong> SHINY, SHINY BRIGHT, BLUE SPRINGS HISTORICAL SOCIETY CHRISTMAS HOMES TOUR</strong></p><p><strong>Nov. 27, 5-9 p.m.; Nov. 28, 11 a.m.-7 p.m. </strong>Tour six homes elaborately decorated for the holidays. Benefits the historical society. Tickets: $8 in advance, $10 at the door. Directions and information, 816-797-4870 or museum at 15th and Main. </p><p><strong> SPIRIT OF CHRISTMAS PAST HERITAGE HOMES TOURS</strong></p><p><strong>Nov. 27-Dec. 30 (closed Dec. 23-25); 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday-Saturday; 1-4 p.m. Sundays. </strong>Three homes of yesteryear in Independence: the Vaile Mansion, the Bingham-Waggoner Estate and the Marshal&rsquo;s Home. Tickets: $12 for three homes; or $5 adults, $4.50 seniors, $2 children per home. Directions and information, 816-325-7111 or <a href="http://www.bwestate.org">www.bwestate.org</a>. </p><p><strong> THE RICE-TREMONTI HOME</strong></p><p><strong>Nov. 27-29, Dec. 4-6, Dec. 12-13 and Dec. 19-20, noon-6 p.m. </strong><strong>Twilight tours Nov. 27 and Dec. 4 only, 5-8 p.m. </strong>This home at 8801 E. 66th St. in Raytown is decked out for the holidays with a theme of &ldquo;The Carols of Christmas.&rdquo; Santa visits Dec. 5-6. Tickets: $3 for adults, children free. Directions and information, 816-358-7423, 816-734-5137 or <a href="http://www.rice-tremonti.com/events">www.rice-tremonti.com/events</a>.</p><p><strong> CHRISTMAS 1860 AT THE HARRIS KEARNEY HOUSE</strong></p><p><strong>Nov. 27-28, 6-9 p.m. </strong>A holiday candlelight tour of the home at 4000 Baltimore. Visit Col. John and Henrietta Harris at their home on Christmas Eve, 1860. Benefits the Westport Historical Society. Tickets: $7 adults, $4 students, children under 5 free. Directions and information, 816-561-1821, 913-648-0952 or <a href="http://www.westporthistorical.com">www.westporthistorical.com</a>.