Essex Fells to Stage Second Holiday House Tour

Some of the most distinctive homes in Essex Fells will open their doors to the public in December to help support the borough’s elementary school.

The Essex Fells PTA and the Essex Fells Foundation for Educational Excellence will stage their second Holiday Home Tour & Boutique on Tuesday, Dec. 11. Homes will be decked out for the holidays with special touches added by local designers, artists and florists.

The tour will feature a variety of houses from grand to cozy, Tudor to colonial, new to old, displaying an array of decorating styles.

"The last tour was a great day and such a successful event that we received many, many requests to do it again,” PTA President Leigh Bright stated in a release. “We hope that you'll experience the joy of the holidays, the friendship of the community, and the warmth of the gracious homeowners who have opened their doors to us." 

Foundation President Debby Tedesco added, "Most importantly, in this age of budget cuts, private commitment to public education is more crucial than ever. This is a fun opportunity to have a great day out with friends touring homes and shopping, while helping our kids."

The house tour offers a rare opportunity to peek inside exclusive Essex Fells, one of the first planned communities in the United States and the smallest municipality in Essex County. There are just over 700 homes in town, with an average age of 59 years and a median home value of $1.6 million. 

The Holiday Boutique inside the Essex Fells Country Club, 219 Devon Road, will be open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and feature more than 40 vendors offering unique gift ideas to help with your holiday shopping.

The self-guided tour will take place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tickets are $45 in advance; $50 at the Essex Fells Country Club on the day of the event. Lunch reservations are $25 and must be made in advance.

To make a reservation, or learn about sponsorship opportunities for your business, call 973-310-2795, email efshometour@gmail.com or visit www.essexfellshometour.com.

Correction: The article originally stated the lunch was $20.