Six Napa Valley estates will be open today for this year's St. Helena Holiday Home Tour, which raises funds for the students at St. Helena primary and elementary schools. The tour takes place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The showcased homes, which are decorated for the holidays by Napa Valley designers, include a Santa Fe-style home, previously featured in House Beautiful Magazine, an Australian outback bungalow, and a recently completed Tuscan-style villa.

"We are so grateful to the owners of the houses on our tour -- they are both gracious and generous in letting us take over their homes for an entire day," said Leslie Ellis, co-chair of the event. "The owners and designers spend many hours collaborating and preparing the homes for the holidays. It is amazing to see the finished results. The homes are always very creatively and beautifully decorated."

Tour guests are also invited to a holiday boutique at Vintage Hall at 436 Main St., 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Local artisans will sell one-of--a-kind items for the holiday season. Entrance to the boutique is free.

Advance Tickets for the 2006 Holiday Home Tour are available for $30 at St. Martin Design, 1350 Main St. and Vintage Home, 1201 Main St., both in St. Helena. Info, www.sthelena.k12.ca.us. /Register