Maybe it’s for love of animals, and maybe it’s just a desire to take a peek inside a historic home that is open to the public for the first time in years.

Whatever the motivation for showing up, the Natchez-Adams County Humane Society is calling for residents of the Miss-Lou to come out in force to its annual Christmas party fundraiser from 6 to 8 p.m., Dec. 12.

The party will be hosted this year at Choctaw, the historic home owned by David Garner and R. Lee Glover. It was placed on tour this fall after many years of being off the pilgrimage schedule.

“I think a lot of people are going to be excited to get a peek inside Choctaw, especially now that they have restored it,” said Susan Callon, the party’s organizer. “This is the first chance a lot of people will have to see inside that amazing house.”

A blended Greek revival and Federal style house, Choctaw was built in 1839, and Garner has appointed the house with period-sensitive furniture. Choctaw is located at 310 N. Wall St.

The party will be a casual dress event with the theme “Christmas Around the World,” Callon said. It will feature a sampling of food from a number of different countries.

It will have a cash bar, and admission is a donation of $25 per person that can be paid at the door or mailed to NACHS, P.O. Box 548, Natchez, MS 39121.

“Our annual Christmas party is probably one of our biggest fundraisers of the year, and all of the proceeds will go directly to the NACHS shelter,” Callon said.

“It is usually just a cocktail party where people eat and talk, and bid on the silent auction items. It is a fun time of fellowship for people to get together at Christmas, knowing that we are benefitting the furbabies at the shelter.”

Norma Williams, who will coordinate the silent auction for the party, said the party is “always good fun and all for the animals, so every donation helps.”

This year’s silent auction will include home décor, gift certificates to local stores and restaurants, artwork and Christmas décor, among other things.

“We have contacted several of the merchants in town, not only retail stores but restaurants, and we are going to have assorted gift baskets — a pamper her gift basket, a coffee gift basket, maybe a date night gift basket,” Williams said.

Robert Mims & Son Jewelers and Netterville Jewelry have donated some items, Williams said, as have some local antiques stores. Also up for grabs include a new grill and an espresso maker.

“You never know what is going to go high,” Williams said. “Sometimes you think one item is going to be a high bidder, but then it turns out it is going to be something simple, like a pair of socks that someone bought for $3 and they end up going for $15, while something valued at $150 will go for $50.”

Those who want to donate new items for the auction can contact Williams at 410-812-2206.

Williams said she would be happy to pick up items being donated to the auction.

While the humane society hopes to have all donations lined up and ready for auction by Dec. 11, if someone wants to bring a new item to donate to the auction the night of the party, they can.

“We are going to have extra bid sheets, and we will work up a bid sheet for them and include it in the auction,” she said.

“I will also give them a charitable donation receipt.”

And while donations are tax deductible and the party will be fun, the big takeaway is it’s for a good cause, Williams said.

“What we are hoping for is a lot of people who are willing to open their pocketbooks and say, ‘This is for the animals,’” she said.