Editor's note: Getting ready for the holiday season? Send photos of your family decorating the house, sitting with Santa, or enjoying the downtown wreaths to whitney@patch.com or add directly to this gallery.

Cranford residents gathered at the gazebo on the corner of North Union and Springfield avenues on Saturday to welcome the winter holiday season.

Sponsored in part by the Cranford Chamber of Commerce, the festivities allowed local Girl Scout troops and families to decorate the tree before its official lighting.

The Cranford Holiday Choir delighted the crowd at dusk with Christmas carols and the Cranford Jaycees served complimentary hot chocolate that kept everyone warm on the chilly evening.  Santa Claus arrived at 6 p.m courtesy of the Cranford Fire Department and proceeded to the stage to throw the switch to light the tree with Mayor David Robinson. Santa then headed to the gazebo along with his helper to sit with children and hear their Christmas wishes.

Select the thumbnails to see larger images. Click on the arrows to browse the photo gallery.