Photo-Ops With Santa at Van Vleck House & Gardens

Van Vleck House & Gardens is about as lovely as a backdrop can get for taking a photo with Santa. 

Every year, the historic estate is opened to the public for photo sittings with St. Nick in plenty of time for creating Christmas cards. 

This year's Santa at Van Vleck is organized by Prominent Properties Sotheby’s International Realty and Van Vleck House & Gardens. Four sittings are scheduled: 

• Friday, Dec. 6, 3 to 5 p.m.
• Saturday, Dec. 7, 10 a.m. to noon and 3 to 5 p.m.
• Sunday, Dec. 15, noon to 3 p.m. 

Professional photographers will photograph children on Santa's lap next to the fireplace in the library at Van Vleck House, 21 Van Vleck St., in Montclair. 

Children will be able to write a letter to Santa and make a decorative craft to take home. Sitting fee is $20 per family. Walk-ins are welcome, but prepaid reservations are encouraged and will have priority. 

To make a reservation or for more information, visit www.vanvleck.org or call 973-744-4752, ext. 2.

Families are asked to consider donating a new, unwrapped toy for a child ages 2 to 12 to the Holiday Toy Drive co-sponsored by Van Vleck House & Gardens and the Junior League of Montclair-Newark. Toys may be dropped off at the side entrance of Van Vleck through Dec. 15, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.