A pleasure to see treasures on Lynn Holiday House Tour

They might be called six gems.LYNN – A half-dozen homes in the city’s well-groomed Diamond District will open their doors to the public Saturday as the inaugural Holiday House Tour gets under way.Craig and Julie Hawley of Nahant, who own Finds by Julie, have decorated one Lynn Shore Drive home so that it highlights the art collection, particularly cultural artifacts from Africa and an array of wildlife photographs.The Hawleys were assisted by Marblehead Garden Center and J&J Draperies of Swampscott. Their creation has been dubbed Safari Christmas.The vintage Lynn Shore Drive home is owned by Virginia Spencer Carr and Mary Robbins, who moved in five years ago. Among the surprises in store for visitors is a holiday tree with an 18-foot python skin wrapped around the trunk.The spectacular 1897 oceanfront home with its sweeping view of Egg Rock and Massachusetts Bay is chock filled with curiosities.Every nook and cranny is another still life with antiques, photos, woven baskets, sculptures and artwork from far-flung countries.Carr is a writer, researcher and biographer, whose credits include the published biographies of such famous scribes as Tennessee Williams, John Dos Passos, Paul Bowles and Carson McCullers.She is the former chairman of the English Department at the University of Georgia in Atlanta. A photograph of her and Williams hangs on a wall in the first-floor dining room.Robbins is the assistant to Ahmed Abdelal, provost at the University of Massachusetts- Lowell. She is also an inspired photographer whose wildlife images from Africa grace nearly every room in the home.The tour, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., is a collaboration between Catholic Charities North, headquartered on Lynn Shore Drive, and LynnArts, the art galleries in Central Square. The proceeds benefit both organizations.Guests can buy tickets or pick up pre-ordered tickets ? along with their printed tour brochure and map ? at 10 a.m. at either Catholic Charities, 55 Lynn Shore Drive, or LynnArts. 25 Exchange St. The walking tour begins at Catholic Charities.Only ticket holders will be allowed to enter the homes. Tickets will be stamped at each home. Guests may pace themselves at their leisure.”It’s a self-guided walking tour, so we’re reminding people to dress warm,” said Virginia Doocy, director of Catholic Charities North. “Everyone can start the tour here. The six homes are on Lynn Shore Drive, Ocean Street and Prescott Street.”Doocy noted that the homeowners whose properties are featured on the tour have agreed to host the guest at no cost to the sponsoring organizations. Decorators have been transforming the home interiors to showcase the architecture, furniture and personal belongings into a holiday setting.To purchase tickets, $30 if reserved ahead, or $35 on the day of the event, call LynnArts at 781-598-5244 or Catholic Charities North at 781-593-2312.Combination tickets at $45 are available for both the Friday Preview Party at LynnArts featuring holiday treats, decorating demonstrations, music and shopping, and the Saturday house tour.