westfield holidays Archives - Luxury Homes/Top Towns

Westfield Toy Drive 2021

December 10, 2021 by Scott Gleason

The Christmas holiday season is in full swing in the Westfield area. For most of us, this means spending time with family and exchanging gifts with those we love. Unfortunately, some people dread the holidays. Either they spend it alone or they struggle to pay their bills and put food on the table already. This time of year puts extra pressure on them to make it special for their children. You can help by donating to the Westfield Toy Drive.

Spread Christmas joy to kids in need this year by donating to the Westfield Toy Drive at Ron Banksy and Associates or Kinderprep in Downtown Westfield. Then, do your Christmas shopping downtown and enter to win a prize with the Westfield Elf on a Shelf Contest.

Westfield Toy Drive 2021

Two Downtown Westfield companies (Allstate Insurance at 502 E. Broad St. and Kinderprep at 80 South Ave. W) partnered up with Springfield charity Furniture Assist to host a Westfield Toy Drive this year. Furniture Assist provides everything from clothing to household goods to people in need. Right now, both businesses accept donations of new or gently used unwrapped toys at their offices during normal business hours. They will continue to do so through the end of the year. At that time, they will deliver all donations to Furniture Assist to distribute to families in the Westfield area.

Elf on a Shelf Selfie Contest in Downtown Westfield

Several Downtown Westfield shops sell items that make great Christmas presents. If you decide to pick up a few toys for the Toy Drive while checking names off of your Christmas gift list, that would be great. While you do that, though, keep your eye out for that tricky Elf on a Shelf. When you spot him, take a quick photo with him, post it on your Instagram, and tag the photo with #WestfieldElfieSelfie. Winners will be chosen at random from entries (add that hashtag) to receive free tickets to “An Elf’s Story” movie showing at the Rialto on December 19th. You may also purchase tickets to the movie online here.

Scott Gleason, CRS at Coldwell Banker Realty – East, NJ Luxury Homes

Westfield Holiday Light Contest 2020

December 4, 2020 by Scott Gleason

Westfield hosts their annual Westfield Holiday Light Contest starting next weekend. Sign up today! Registration deadline is Dec. 9th.

Register today to participate in the Westfield Holiday Light Contest for 2020. Winners in each category receive a $75 shopping voucher.

What: Westfield Holiday Light Contest 2020
Where: All Westfield Neighborhoods
When: December 12th to 19th, after dusk
Registration Deadline: December 9th
Contact: Tow n of Westfield (908) 789-4040

Westfield Holiday Light Contest 2020

Does your family go all out with their holiday decorations each year? Let’s end 2020 on a high note by showing off your Westfield home’s best Christmas look. The contest is open for free to all residents. Simply visit the Westfield Recreation Department website to register. Registration closes at 11:59 pm on Wednesday, December 9th. Once you finish decorating, email a photo of your home to Lauren with the Town of Westfield. Entries must be received by 4 pm on December 11th. You choose which category you wish to compete in.

The public decides the winner of this contest. Each Westfield home in the contest receives a yard sign that includes their category. Residents go online to vote for their favorites. Only one vote allowed in each category. Lights and animations must go live by dusk between December 12th and December 20th to allow for judging to take place. Winners will be announced on December 22nd. The winner in each category receives a $75 voucher to shop at one of our downtown businesses. Good luck!

Award Categories:

Be the Light (most use of lights, including motion lights and music)
Deck the Halls (traditional white lights only display)
Hanukkah Lights (lights and inflatables allowed)
It’s a Wonderful Life (businesses only)
North Pole (most creative lawn display with inflatables and characters)

Scott Gleason, CRS at Coldwell Banker Realty – East, NJ Luxury Homes

Westfield Firefighters Holiday Food Drive 2020

November 13, 2020 by Scott Gleason

2020 changed the way we live our lives in many ways. Schools went virtual. Employers sent workers home. Even major events like AddamsFest went virtual. Many businesses are hurting. Some local residents found themselves unemployed and struggling. During the holidays, this stings even more. You can help our less fortunate neighbors by participating in the Westfield Firefighters Holiday Food Drive 2020.

Keeping public safety in mind, the Westfield Firefighters Holiday Food Drive accepts gift cards to grocery stores instead of food this year.

What: Holiday Food Drive 2020
Where: Westfield Fire Headquarters (405 N Ave W) & Westfield Fire Station #2 (1029 Central Ave)
When: Now Through December 1st
Contact: Westfield FMBA Local 30 via email

Westfield Firefighters Holiday Food Drive 2020

Every year, the Westfield Firefighters conduct a holiday food drive for local families in need. This year, the firefighters have already received more requests for meal baskets than they did last year. They need your help to make sure everyone gets taken care of.

With COVID-19 concerns on everyone’s minds, the firefighters will not accept food donations in person this year. Instead, they request gift cards to Trader Joe’s, ShopRite, and Stop & Shop. With these cards, they can go shop for the food they need to create each meal basket.

How to Participate in the Holiday Food Drive

If you wish to participate in the holiday food drive, simply visit one of the three stores listed above. Purchase a gift card in the amount you wish to donate ($5, $10, $25…every bit helps). Then, drop off the gift cards at either the Westfield Fire Headquarters or Station #2 between 8 am and 8 pm any day of the week.

If you cannot drop your gift cards off in person, mail them to:

Westfield FMBA Local 30
405 N Ave W
Westfield, NJ 07090

2020 has been a difficult year to say the least. For some, it’s been more difficult than others. Bring some cheer to families in need this holiday season and support our local firefighters at the same time. Please purchase a gift card today.

Scott Gleason, CRS at Coldwell Banker Realty – East, NJ Luxury Homes

Westfield Elfie Selfie Contest 2019

December 6, 2019 by Scott Gleason

We now have less than three weeks until Christmas Day. With a late Thanksgiving, the time to shop before Christmas feels much shorter than normal. Forget online shopping. Avoid long lines at the big box stores. Instead, support our local businesses by shopping at any of our downtown Westfield stores. To encourage the idea of keeping things local, the Downtown Westfield Corporation created a Westfield Elfie Selfie Contest. Take a pic. Win a prize.

What: Westfield Elfie Selfie Contest 2019
Where: Various Downtown Westfield Businesses
When: Now through December 29th
Contact: Downtown Westfield Corporation (908) 789-9444 or via email

Westfield Elfie Selfie Contest 2019

When you go shopping in downtown Westfield this month, you might find that mischievous Elf on a Shelf lurking inside some of the businesses there. Spot the elf, hold up your receipt, and snap a pic with the little guy. Then, post the photo to your Facebook and/or Instagram account using #WesfieldElfieSelfie. Each week, a different winner will be chosen at random from posted photos. Enter as many times as you want.

Here’s a fun bit of trivia for you. The creator of the original “Elf on a Shelf” animated movie, Ken Waddell, lives right here in Westfield. He supports this contest and plans on shopping locally this year as well.

Elfie Photo-Ops

Which downtown Westfield businesses will you find an “elfie” to selfie with? (Hint: look for the tell-tale elf sticker on their window.)

Adlers Jewelers
AR Workshop
Best Foot Forward
Brunner Opticians
Chill Cryotherapy
Evalyn Dunn Gallery
Farinolio
Feast Catering
G Lab Aesthetics
Just Bead Yourself
Little Nest Portraits
Mimi & Hill
Nos Vino
Ono Bowls
Outta Hand Pizza
Patricia & Paul
Roig Gallery
Ruby and Jenna
Savory Spice Shop
Sole Shoes
Valencia School of Music
Westfield Station Cafe
Woof Gang Bakery

Westfield Area Y Christmas Tree Lot

Have you picked out your Christmas tree yet? Come to the Westfield Area Y Men’s Club Christmas Tree Lot anytime between now and December 23rd to pick up your tree, wreath or other holiday trimmings. But you need to hurry. The longer you wait, the sparser the supply. If you see me there, say “hi”.

Scott Gleason, CRS at Coldwell Banker Realty – East, NJ Luxury Homes

Lord & Taylor Celebrates the Holidays in Westfield

November 16, 2018 by Scott Gleason

Thanksgiving is less than a week away. Christmas Day follows just over a month later. Lord & Taylor celebrates the holidays in Westfield with a little charity and a photo-op with the jolly old elf himself.

Lord & Taylor Charity Day

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Tomorrow, November 17th, Lord & Taylor in Westfield hosts their annual Charity Day. Local charities all over the Westfield area have been selling $5 tickets specifically for Charity Day. With this ticket, you receive a special 25% discount on almost everything in the store when you shop at Lord & Taylor between 10 am and 9 pm on Charity Day. They also offer a 15% discount on most of their beauty products during the event. If you haven’t picked up a ticket at your favorite charity lately, you can purchase one at Lord & Taylor’s in Westfield tomorrow.

Holidays in Westfield: Photos with Santa

Have you put together your Christmas card list yet? Visit Lord & Taylor Thanksgiving weekend to take photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus. Holidays in Westfield wouldn’t be the same without them. November 23rd to the 25th, Santa flies in from the North Pole to sit with all the good little girls and boys that come to visit him. Receive a complimentary 5″x7″ photo when you donate two cans of non-perishable food. All donations received directly benefit the Westfield Food Pantry. Other photo packages will be made available to purchase online through Paul Mecca Photography. Santa will be available at Lord & Taylor from 12 pm to 6 pm on Friday and Saturday and 12 pm to 4 pm on Sunday.

Westfield Tree Lighting Ceremony

After you visit Lord & Taylor for photos with Santa on Sunday, November 25th, make your way over to the North Ave Train Station. That’s where Santa, Mrs. Claus, and Mayor Brindle will be to officially light the City’s Christmas tree. The Lion’s Club and Columbia Bank will be passing around hot cider and tasty treats to all who gather to watch.

Westfield Area Y Christmas Tree Lot

Don’t forget! The Westfield Area Y Men’s Club Christmas tree lot opens for business on Saturday, November 24th. If you see me, come up and say “hi”. With proper care and watering, a cut tree purchased opening weekend at the tree lot will last you through Christmas Day.

Scott Gleason, CRS at Coldwell Banker Realty – East, NJ Luxury Homes