Erica Wassinger said she decided to open her house at Christmas time for her daughters.

“I’m doing it for Soroptimist and their cause … for my daughters,” Wassinger said. “That kept me going.”

The Christmas Home Tour fundraiser is organized by Soroptimist International of Oak Harbor, part of a national organization that supports programs and services for women and girls.

“I hope Soroptimist does well and it’s a good experience for them,” Wassinger said. “I was happy to volunteer my home.”

Wassinger, whose home sits on the south shore of Oak Harbor’s bay off Scenic Heights Road, said the experience was a lot of hard work, but also a lot of fun.

While the first floor reflected more traditional decorations in green and red, the basement was decorated in a pastel Candyland theme for her daughters.

“I wanted it to be more kid friendly,” Wassinger said.

Wassinger’s husband, Brian, went “all out” on the exterior of the house with lights and reindeer displays ­— something he’s never done before.

“He rigged lights to make them perfect,” Wassinger said.

Across town, Dutch Strehle, with a waterside view on Pioneer Drive, said he participated in the event for his late wife.

Strehle said his wife remodeled their kitchen just a year before she passed away three years ago. He said he wanted to show off her work.

“I’m doing that in her honor, so people could see what she did,” Strehle said. “If it wasn’t for that, I wouldn’t do it.”

Assisting Strehle was his son-in-law Dustin Lathan and Lori Beth Ward from the Oak Harbor Yacht Club.

“There’s well over 100 man hours in here,” Lathan said.

“It took a lot of work,” said Strehle, whose home was decorated in traditional christmas decor highlighted by a blue and silver Christmas tree.

“The end product turned out fantastic. I couldn’t be happier.”

There were a total of five North Whidbey homes on this year’s tour, which cost $15 with proceeds going to Soroptimist to support its local scholarship, health and abuse prevention programs for women and girls.

Organizer Kathy Doll said that Soroptimist sold approximately 210 tickets, raising more than $3,000 for the event that is put on entirely by volunteers.

“I’m so grateful to the homeowners for opening their homes and for everyone who bought tickets and came,” Doll said. “It’s just a fun event. Every homeowner works extremely hard to make their home beautiful. Everyone has a unique style.

“They’re all gorgeous.”