The Dickens Christmas Fair

An elegant salon gathering.

Strolling in old London.

Lovely little hats.

Gingerbread rats.

A Punch and Judy show.

The little girl and the street mime.

For the love of gin.

The Gin Girl on show.

Chimney sweeps have a sip and a gander.

Leather masks of birds and beasts.

Victoriana for sale.

Peddler for the bewitching Green Fairy.

Entertainment and flavors from the Silk Road.

An explorer.

"Spirit of the Goddess" merchant.

Selecting the right adornment.

Fit for a fairy princess.

Ladies linger at the pub.

Enticing, inedible cakes.

If you're like me and my sister and have always been drawn to the quirky charms of the Victorian era, you must take a trip to the Dickens Fair next December for a visit to Christmas Past (sorry to say it's over for this season).

The Dickens Fair is a recreation of Victorian-era London set in San Francisco's Cow Palace, complete with lamp-lit streets and bustling market areas. You'll encounter common citizens, merchants and artisans, chimney sweeps, live mannequins, street urchins and orphans, various dignitaries including the queen, explorers with steampunk gear, alongside many eccentric characters straight from Dickens and other literary works of the time.

There is much humor and fun to be found throughout, with a bit of everything for everyone in the family - the bizarre or irreverent, the beautiful or traditional, the tasty or intoxicating. You can dance the waltz at Fezziwig's, listen to carousing sailors sing at the docks, watch a Punch and Judy show or belly dancers at the Silk Road stage, buy exotic gifts such as ladies' hats adorned with plumage. Or munch freshly roasted sweet nuts from a paper cone, lunch on fish and chips, sip a cup of hot mulled wine or knock back some ale. This year they even featured an absinthe merchant for those yearning for a visit to the green fairy. One of my favorite things was the cookie shop which offered gingerbread rats with frosting x's for eyes. I also loved the stunning handcrafted leather masks, and the magical tiaras fit for a fairy princess (see photo of my niece Amalia adorned in one of these head ornaments).

A good proportion of people - visitors and participants alike - were dressed in elaborate costumes of the period, milling about in gowns and fancy hats in quaint shops, chatting and debating about events of the day. You can participate by attending workshops in advance where you learn characterization, and are trained to speak in "Victorian" or Cockney, depending on your class.

Every year we hope to attend in costume but haven't been organized enough so far. Maybe next year we'll be more prepared to venture into Dickens' London appropriately attired.

Holidays in The City

There really is truth to the Petula Clark song "Downtown" - whenever I'm out of sorts and the world is looking a little lackluster, a trip to the city is just the refresher I need. Particularly during the holidays, when the pressure to be cheery and upbeat despite economic or other woes can become a bit grating on the nerves, the best cure is to lose yourself in the crowds, lights and energy of one of the most beautiful cities on earth. Don't even think about shopping or other obligations...just wander, window shop, have a glass of bubbly, "linger on the sidewalk where the neon signs are pretty," and watch people go by.

And who says we have no real winter in San Francisco? There's an ice skating rink right on Union Square, adjacent to the palm trees and Saks! If you don't mind sliding all over the ice and making an ass of yourself in front of spectators, it's fun, romantic, and will put you in holiday mode for sure.

Enjoy the season.