COLUMBIA (WACH) -- Governor Mark Sanford welcomed the public into his home Thursday for the annual Christmas open house.

The governor’s mansion was decked with not only boughs of holly, but with big white flower arrangements featuring seashells and trees trimmed in lights.

“The decorations were really pretty and I liked the way they used the greenery with the white theme,” says Susan Collins of Columbia.

“I enjoyed seeing all the natural elements,” adds Columbia resident Linda Castles.

Thursday was Sanford’s final Christmas open house.  He leaves office next month after serving his two-term limit.