Though I still can’t stomach the concept of holiday in terms of retail displays in early November, I’m willing to make exceptions for the performing arts and independent artisans. And from November 6 – 8 you can access the wares of 300 fine artists at the Boston Christmas Festival at the Seaport World Trade Center. Also, given my obsession with gingerbread last year (and, admittedly, cake competitions on cable), the gingerbread house competition (of which this Fenway Park replica was a winner) seems particularly intriguing. Tickets are $12 for adults (discount available); kids under 14 are admitted free.

Back in high school, audition jitters aside, I adored being on the competitive orchestra circuit. The long rehearsals led to beautiful music and amazing friendships. And if you want to learn about a local arts group that creates music, friendships, and unity across cultural and social gaps, check out the Boston Children’s Chorus tomorrow, November 5 (6-7pm), at the Boston Public Library. The BCC -- which uses music to unify Boston’s diverse communities, inspire social change, and provide kids with music education and performance opportunities -- will preview a documentary about its recent tour to Jordan and celebrate the release of their This is the Sound of Harmony CD.

Now that we've hit November, the concept of holiday is slowly creeping onto my radar. I'm still ignoring holiday retail displays, but I'm all for securing tickets to Boston’s fabulous arts scene at a budget in celebration of the season. In addition to discounted arts tickets, the Mayor’s Holiday Special site features shopping, dining, and lodging deals and is open now through January 18, 2010.

Why yes, there are things happening this weekend that don’t relate to Halloween. Two cool picks that piqued my interest? The Boston Vegetarian Food Festival (Saturday & Sunday) will assemble natural food providers, speakers, chefs, and exhibitors offering food samples, demos, learning opportunities, and a children's activity center. And on Sunday, Design Hive is calling all vintage vixens to Cambridge to stock up on vintage clothing, accessories, and home furnishings from local sellers.

What with Halloween being on a Saturday, there’s plenty of time for advanced partying. Here’s some more upcoming free Halloween fun to enjoy with the kids. On Friday: Harvard Scare! (Cambridge) and on Saturday: Community Halloween Party at Ringer Park (Allston), Brattle Trick or Treat! (Cambridge), USS Constitution Museum Halloween Haunt (Charlestown), Wilson Farms Kids Costume Contest & Haunted Hayride (Lexington), and Halloween Horribles Parade (Winchester).
If you know of other free events, please feel free to share them with the community via comment below!

Also, if you're like me and haven't yet got around to Halloween treat shopping, be sure to check out this awesome collection of ideas for alternatives to offer instead of – or in addition to – traditional candy.

Get ready for some pumpkin party hopping. Tomorrow, October 29, you can celebrate Halloween at any or all of three free, fun events in Boston. Enjoy trick or treating, crafts, and dance at the Hill House Halloween Party from 3-6pm (and spread the festive mojo by bringing a box of pasta, rice, or canned soup for their food pantry drive to benefit Boston families). Carve and decorate pumpkins and enjoy face painting and fall treats at the Fort Point Pumpkin Pageant from 12-4pm. And experience locally farmed pumpkins and apple cider at the Greenway Pumpkin Party from 12:30-2pm.

A couple of downpouring weekends ago, Laurel and I visited Clay Dreams, a pottery painting studio in Arlington. Simply pick from a range of functional (e.g., dinnerware) and decorative (e.g., pumpkins) pottery options, choose your paint colors, and create. At first, the cost ($5 fee + Laurel chose a $12 large plate and $8 mug) seemed a tad steep for an hour of entertainment but Laurel absolutely adored the experience. (And really, could I spin those pieces and fire them up myself for $25?) And she wasn’t the only one; in addition to various kid/adult pairings, one table was exclusively grownups.
While the experience itself was fun and relaxing, I was particularly won over when we picked up Laurel's pieces. On application the paints look rather pale and unremarkable, but they turn utterly vibrant once glazed and fired. I'm also intrigued to learn how to create some of their professional looking finishes, such as those shown in this image. (Our almost 10-year-old wedding dishes are all chipped up and could stand replacement.)

We're so going back to create holiday gifts for the grandparents. And since Laurel kept the plate and gifted the mug to Jon, I'm really hoping she makes me a piece next time too.

Clay Dreams, 183 Mass. Ave., Arlington; 781-641-3000

I adore Heather Flett & Whitney Moss, the smart women behind the smart website Rookie Moms, a great destination for new moms looking to infuse fun activities amidst the daily duties of diapers and feedings. And I'm honored to now have a place in the Rookie Moms digital files via this guest post I recently wrote: Baby Activities in Boston features a sample weekly itinerary that will make any rookie mom in Boston look like a pro. Enjoy!
Also, for additional ideas, including ones for bigger kids, check out this handy post over at Alpha Mom: 50 Things To Do with Kids around Boston Before They Grow Up.

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Image credit: Christine Koh (Posh Peacock)

My dad used to tell me, “A book is your only friend.” A tad extreme in my opinion, but if you feel even vaguely in agreement with that statement, you’ll probably want to stop by the inaugural Boston Book Festival this Saturday, October 24 (10am – 6pm). Spread across the Boston Public Library, Old South Church, Trinity Church, and Copley Square, this free festival will feature 90 authors and presenters, exhibitors, live entertainment, and special programming for kids & teens.