House tours to get you into the holiday spirit
The day after Thanksgiving marks the official start of the holiday shopping season and also the holiday decorating season.
Those who can wait a week or two to begin can get inspiration and ideas from house tours. The list that follows is a starting point for upcoming events focused on holiday decorating.
WOODSTOWN -- Dec. 2
Plans are underway for this year's Woodstown by Candlelight. One night a year this quiet little town dazzles visitors and residents alike with a spectacular Candlelight Tour, a tradition for over 35 years. Stroll down the lamp lit Main Street past Victorian and Colonial homes aglow with candles in all the windows. Smell the evergreen boughs and notice the trees decorated with old-fashioned ornaments. See the doors of businesses and homes decorated for the season. Hear the carolers as they stroll from house to house spreading holiday cheer. This year's tour is on Friday, Dec. 2 and is sponsored for the benefit of the Pilesgrove-Woodstown Historical Society.
Each year there are numerous homes, as well as businesses and churches open to the public. Homeowners share their collections of antiques and collectibles along with stories of the homes on tour. The craft show in the Woodstown Borough Hall opens at 4 p.m. and the private homes will be open from 6 to 10 p.m.
Enjoy a meal at one of Woodstown's many restaurants and then tour this charming town, which dates back to 1720. Enjoy displays of arts, crafts and musical presentations at homes, schools and churches throughout the town. Free transportation will be provided to various locations within the town.
No tour would be complete without the complimentary wassail and homemade cookies available at the First Baptist Church. Get into the spirit of the holiday season with a Candlelight Tour of historic Woodstown.
Tickets are $15 for adults ($12 in advance) and $6 for students. Additional information available at www.woodstownbycandlelight.org.
PITMAN -- Dec. 3
The Woman's Club of Pitman will sponsor its "Spirit of Christmas" House Tour on Saturday, Dec. 3 from 2 to 8 p.m. The tour will consist of six private residences -- outstanding examples of Pitman's unique homes. The Rock Church, McCowan Memorial Library and the Pitman Historical Museum, will also be on the tour. The Rock Church will feature seasonal music as well as beautiful, decorations for visitors to enjoy.
As always, the homes will feature interesting collections and festive holiday decorations.
This is not a guided tour. Ticket holders are given a brochure of the homes on the tour and can start at house No. 1 or whatever one they prefer. When you buy your ticket you will be given the brochure.
Tickets are available from members of the club and at local businesses. Ticket prices are $12 in advance and $15 on the day of the tour. On the day of the tour, tickets will be sold at Pitman Borough Hall, 110 S. Broadway from 1 to 6 p.m. For more information, contact Sandy at 856-589-1459 or email pitmanwcp@gmail.com.
MULLICA HILL -- Dec. 10
Two exciting events rolled into one are planned to kick of the holiday season in historic Mullica Hill Antique County this Dec. 10 from 2 to 7 p.m. The annual Christmas House Tour and Candlelight Shopping are combined to offer numerous holiday sights and sounds. Seven homes and churches will open their doors for a tour to show off their Christmas finery. Santa will be there along with carolers and live music throughout the town. Visit the Old Town Hall where you'll be treated to live music and readings of a "Christmas Carol." Aside from the homes on display visit Four Seasons for an old fashion tree display.
Come early and participate in a treasure hunt -- just pick up a form listing all the participating shops (open 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.) and the items you will be looking for. First person with most items found in shortest period of time will win a $75 gift certificate, second person will win a $25 gift certificate. The shops will be decorated in holiday splendor, offer delicious treats for tasting, carolers will serenade and special discounts will be offered.
There is sufficient parking for all on the street and free parking lots with transportation to take you from one end of the village to the other. Price for the tour is $8 in advance and $10 day of. For more information visit www.mullicahill.com or call 856-223-5440.
WOODBURY -- Dec. 10
The Greater Woodbury Garden Club will present their Bi-annual Holiday house tour "A Woodland Christmas " on Saturday Dec. 10 from 3 to 8 p.m. This is a self-guided tour of 11 charming holiday homes and places of worship in and around Woodbury. Advance and will-call tickets $15. Day of tour $18 at Christ Episcopal Church, 62 Delaware St. Woodbury from 2 to 7 p.m. Call 856-384-1621 or 856-853-7147 for tickets or tickets can be purchased at Woodbury Library, 856-845-2611; Woodbury City Hall, 856-845-1300, 33 Delaware St.; Edwards Hairstyling, 14 S. Broad St., 856-845-2245; Flowers by Sweeten's, 530 N. Broad St. Woodbury; West Deptford Library, 420 Crown Point Road, Thorofare, 856-845-5593.
GREENWICH -- Dec. 11
Celebrate a "Hometown Christmas" in Greenwich on the Cohansey River with an afternoon of festive activities that are sure to fill your heart with Christmas warmth. This 48th annual tour, sponsored by the Cumberland County Historical Society, will be held Sunday, Dec. 11 from noon to 5 p.m. Admission is $15 per person, children 12 and under are free.
Tour through the town's historic homes and buildings that will be decked out in their Christmas finery. As you stroll along your self-guided tour, children will be able to visit Santa in his new workshop and drop off their letters to be sent to the North Pole. Gingerbread creations will be on display and you may purchase hand-crafted holiday gifts and decorative items at the craft show.
Lunch, snacks and treats will be available at several locations throughout the tour. All museums will be open during the afternoon.
Tickets available on the day of the event at the Doctor's Office, located on the grounds of the Gibbon House (960 Ye Greate St.) and at the Morris Goodwin School (839 Ye Greate St.).
For additional information, call 856-455-8580 or plan your afternoon by visiting cchistsoc.org.
The Carroll House is a late example of the Gothic Revival style built with two and a half story frame, three bays wide, and a tall cross gable in the center of the facade. The center front door has an original arched transom and three-light sidelights. The door is sheltered by an original, one-story porch with molded square columns topped with heavy scroll brackets. Herbert Carroll is enumerated in the 1900 census as a 55-year-old widowed merchant living in the house with three sons and a daughter. The house currently serves as parsonage for the Dennisville United Methodist Church. DENNISVILLE -- Dec. 17
The 27th Historic Dennisville Christmas House Tour is a premier fundraising event. A minimum of eight beautifully decorated 18th and 19th century historic homes, as well as several public buildings and two churches, will be open to the public. The Dennisville Historic Home Owners Association Inc. is sponsoring the event.
The tour takes place on Saturday, Dec. 17 from 3 to 8 p.m. Tickets, $10, will be sold at the Dennisville Post Office, 24 Hall Ave. in Dennisville the day of the tour beginning at 2:30 p.m. Advance ticket sales are available online. Greeters will distribute programs and get tour goers started on their way. Houses open at 3 p.m. Soup and sandwich supper at the South Dennis Trinity United Methodist Church beginning at 2 p.m. until food runs out ($8 for adults, and $3.50 for children under 12).
Refreshments and comfort stations at the Dennisville United Methodist Church Social Hall and Dennis Volunteer Fire Station. The Middletones Carolers (Middle Township High School a cappella vocal quartet) will perform through the village in period costume. Dennis Volunteer Fire Company will be open with new and antique equipment on display. Light refreshments will also be available there. For further information visit http://dhhoa.org or contact Jack Connolly at 609-861-1338 or at Dennisvillechristmashousetour@verizon.net.