With many of the traditional holiday events canceled in 2020, the East Haven Chamber of Commerce brought back an event last held in the 1950s: the East Haven Holiday House Decorating Contest.

“Last year was a tough year and it took off because everyone needed it,” said Jennifer Higham, president of the chamber. “We didn’t have a tree lighting because of the pandemic, so this was our way of spreading the holiday spirit within the town. It was great for us as well as the community.”

Though the contest hadn’t been held in more than 70 years, the comeback was a great success. Last year’s contest saw 118 participants entered with many more homes decorated throughout town.

“The response was overwhelming,” said Higham. “Even those that chose not to be in the contest decorated. It was fun just to drive through town seeing everyone’s lights.”

Though it’s early, Higham noted that residents are already beginning to register. To be included in a chamber-produced map, residents must enter the contest by Tuesday, Dec. 14 by 11 a.m. To enter, email one photo of your home to easthavenchamber01@gmail.com and include your name, address, and phone number.

At noon on Dec. 14, all of the received entries will be posted to an album on the East Haven Chamber of Commerce’s Facebook page and voting will begin. Voting closes at midnight on Sunday, Dec. 19 and the winner will be announced on Monday, Dec. 20.

There are several categories for awards, including Best Theme and Best Animated/Blow-Ups. In additions, there will be a “Best of” award in three sections of town—Momauguin, Foxon, and the Center—as well as an overall Best of East Haven.

“The Best of East Haven will also get the Major award, the leg lamp donated by Steve DeLucia,” said Higham. “We also have businesses sponsors giving gift cards and products for the Best of East Haven Basket.”

All of the entries will also be presented on a map so that residents can drive around town and view the different displays. Higham explained that the map will be presented with “the best possible route so you can drive through easily” and in three sections of town, Momauguin, Center, and Foxon.

This year, the chamber will also bring back an event that it started last year during the pandemic: letters to Santa. Higham will continue to work with the North Pole to deliver local letters to Santa and then get his responses back to East Haven residents.

For letters to reach the North Pole and receive a response, submissions must be logged through the Google form on the easthavenchamber.com/letters-to-santa by Thursday, Dec. 16. Anyone wishing to mail a letter to Santa can send it to Santa c/o EHCC P.O. Box 120055, East Haven CT 06512. Please include your address in the letter.

Though there is no age limit for letters, only one letter per person will be mailed. The East Haven Chamber is only coordinating Santa letters for East Haven residents.

For updates, visit the East Haven Chamber’s of Commerce Facebook page or www.easthavenchamber.com.