Ann and Jerry Walton of Fayetteville have the golden touch. It is evident the minute you enter the couple's warm but elegant Southern traditional brick home. Gold-edged poinsettias entwined with gilt ribbon and greenery hug the balustrade of the curving stairway leading to the upstairs. A Christmas tree glitters in the foyer, one of a dozen decorating the spacious, decorator's dream home. The splendor of the holidays is played out in every room, with Ann's collectibles taking center stage.

The Waltons' home is one of five notable residences featured on the Fourteenth Annual Christmas Tour of Homes sponsored by the First United Methodist Church of Fayetteville on Friday, Dec. 4 and Saturday, Dec. 5. Tickets are available from the church for a $12 donation.

"We came home four years ago," Ann Walton said, recalling her and husband Jerry's decision to buy a house in Fayette County. They lived for many years in West Palm Beach, Fla., where they own Walton Insurance Services, Inc. "Jerry is from Jonesboro and I was raised in Omega," Walton said. "Our daughter lives here and we have a son in Marietta."

An impressive array of Byers carolers wooden figures which come in an endless variety of costumes and occupations are hung on a compact little tree in the couple's massive family room. "I've been collecting them for about seven or eight years," Walton said. Santas of every size and shape fill the hearth and bachelor's chest, including a four-foot tall model which was crafted by the same North Carolina artist who made a similar likeness for the White House. There are Santas made of gourds, Santas made from buoys and a terra cotta Santa from New Mexico. The Waltons have acquired many of their treasures while traveling.

"I love to go antiquing," Walton said. Other finds have included a large mahogany secretary said to have occupied an old Tennessee plantation home and a print discovered in Mississippi which was matted and framed and now hangs over the family room mantel.

Old black and white photos of the Waltons' parents share table space with new color pictures and portraits of children and grandchildren. "I just love pictures," Walton said.

Probably the most treasured portrait in the Walton home is one of Ann and her sister Evangeline which was painted from a childhood photograph. "It was the only picture my mother had of the two of us," Walton recalled.

A white enamel kitchen cupboard which belonged to Walton's mother occupies a prominent spot in the kitchen. It is filled with floral tea cups and another clutch of miniature portraits.

This is the second tour the Walton home has been selected for this year. A tour of local gardens featured the grounds this past spring. "After this, I think we'll be done with tours for awhile," sighed Walton. But the impending open house has not changed the family's Thanksgiving plans. "We'll all be eating here," Walton said, "but we may use paper plates!"

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