December 5, 2025

 
Avalon's Festive Friday & Snowfest Saturday and Stone Harbor's A Coastal Christmas produced
smiles all around! Photo provided by Borough of Avalon Facebook page.

SANTA & MRS. CLAUS made appearances and visited with children last weekend.  Tree lightings, music, family activities, and parades added to the festive atmosphere.  Local shops and restaurants were open, and the business districts of Avalon and Stone Harbor were quite busy!  If you've never been on Seven Mile Island for the Thanksgiving Weekend, it's something you have to do!
 

On Thanksgiving Day hundreds of Coast Guard recruits from Training Center Cape May were hosted by local families.  As host families arrived, recruits, above, waited until called by their company commanders for pick up.  Want to host a couple of recruits on Christmas Day?  See below for info!
 
HOST A COASTIE!  Did you know that the Coast Guard's "Training Center Cape May" is where all of the nation's newly enlisted Coast Guard personnel are trained?  At any given time, there are hundreds of Coast Guard recruits being trained in Cape May—and they need a place to call home for the holiday.  On Thanksgiving Day, over 600 recruits were hosted by local families as part of Operation Fireside, giving the recruits their first chance to relax, unwind, and enjoy a home cooked meal for the first time since arriving in Cape May.  Hosting a pair of recruits (or as many as you can fit!) is a truly rewarding experience, and truly appreciated by the recruits, their families around the country, and by the Coast Guard!  Host families within 50 miles or 60 minutes of Cape May are still needed for Christmas Day.  Interested?  The American Red Cross organizes Operation Fireside.  Send an email to opfiresidenj@redcross.org and request an application!


Coast Guard recruits Emilio, Jordan, and Derek hail from Oklahoma, Detroit, and Lancaster.  The Leisers were honored to host them on Thanksgiving Day!  We talked, shared stories, heard about their upcoming Coast Guard assignments, watched the Lions-Packers game, and of course, had dinner together.   What an enjoyable day!  Emilio, Jordan, and Derek will graduate from U.S. Coast Guard Training Center Cape May on Friday, December 5th, and will soon be moving on to their next assignments!   
 
SHOP LOCAL: So many of our great local merchants remain open and ready to serve you during the holidays.  Put a little summer in your Christmas shopping, and support local businesses while doing your holiday shopping!  Here are some ideas:
A box of handmade fudge or saltwater taffy (they ship well!)
A gift certificate from your favorite restaurant.
A sweatshirt or t-shirt from a local clothing store.
Schedule a mid-winter getaway at a local hotel.
A boogie board or beach bucket set from Hoys 5&10. 
A gift certificate for whale watching, fishing, round of golf, or another favorite shore activity.
HHoliday Beach Tags are still available and are good for the 2026 beach season! Purchase Beach Tags
 
TOYS FOR TOTS:  Brighten the holiday of a local child in need--consider donating a new, unwrapped toy for our Toys for Tots drive.  Your donation can make a real difference in a child's holiday.  Our Avalon office is a drop off location - simply stop by and drop off your toy!
 
GIVE THE GIFT OF SEASHORE MEMORIES!  Want to give your family memories that will last a lifetime?  Spend a week at the shore with them!  Want to make it permanent?  Buy your very own shore property!  Call or email me to get started!

upcoming Events:

Icona Avalon Cookie Decorating Workshop.  Thursday, December 4th, 6pm to 8pm.  Read More
 
Hereford Inlet Lighthouse Gardens & Courtyard Christmas Lights.  (Free.) Begins with a Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony on Saturday, December 6th, at 5pm.  Hereford Inlet Lighthouse, North Wildwood.
 
Wine Bar Local Thursday.  2-for-1 oysters, 25% off bottles of wine, and a rotating $25 bar plate.  The Washington Inn, Thursday, December 11th, 3:30pm to 8:30pm.
 
Somm's Table: Port & Pastries.  Explore the world of Port Wines.  The Washington Inn, Sunday, December 14th, 3pm to 4:30pm. Read More
 
The Santa Express: Ride with Santa aboard vintage railcars from Tuckahoe and Richland Stations.  Cape May Seashore Lines, through December 23rd.  For schedules and tickets
 
LLet's Catch Santa.  Cape May Stage, through December 28th. Read More
 
Christmas In Cape May.  Cape May is beautifully decorated and transformed into a Dickens village for the holidays with garlands of fragrant greens and twinkling gaslights.  Now through Christmas.

Recent Listings:

315 79th Street, 315, Avalon, $2,395,000, ACTIVE MLS#: 253437