Bay Area’s historic houses get decked out for the holidays
The holidays mean it’s time to shop, sip tea and ogle the decorations — all for good causes. These fundraising festivities not only put you in a merry frame of mind, they also help preserve the Bay Area’s historic homes and their gorgeous gardens, fund museum programs and support countless charities. Reminder: Early reservations are a must.
Holiday fests
Up first is “Christmas at Villa Mira Monte,” put on by the Morgan Hill Historical Society. The final day is Nov. 3 at 17860 Monterey Road in Morgan Hill; www.MorganHillHistoricalSociety.org.
Campbell’s Ainsley House will be decorated and hosting events from Nov. 14 to Dec. 20. For tea reservations, tickets and tour times, check www.campbellmuseums.com. Find the museum at 300 Grant St. in Campbell.
In Saratoga, the Montalvo Arts Center will hold festivities Nov. 15-17 at Villa Montalvo. 15400 Montalvo Road, Saratoga; www.montalvoarts.org.
On Nov. 20 you can “Catch the Spirit” at the J. Gilbert Smith History House at the Los Altos History Museum, 51 S. San Antonio Road, Los Altos; www.losaltoshistory.org.
The Woodside country estate of Filoli’s holiday activities run Nov. 23 through Dec. 30 at 86 Cañada Road; www.filoli.org.
In Walnut Creek, the Shadelands Ranch Museum will host Victorian holiday teas from Nov. 30 through Dec.15 at 2660 Ygnacio Valley Road; https://wchistory.org.
“A Holiday Tradition” will be celebrated on weekends from Dec. 1 to 15 at the Dunsmuir-Hellman Historic Estate in Oakland. Find Dunsmuir-Hellman at 2960 Peralta Oaks Court; www.dunsmuir-hellman.com/events.
And in Hayward, the “Holidays at McConaghy House” will run for three weekends, Dec.7-8, Dec. 14-15 and Dec. 21-22. Find the museum at 18701 Hesperian Blvd.; www.haywardareahistory.org.
Industrial chic trends
The fall edition of Goat Hill Fair, where industrial chic and assemblage art styles abound, will be held Nov. 16-17 at the Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds. Check out more than 100 merchants’ booths selling furniture, architectural elements, Americana, jewelry, kitchen goods, toys and clever repurposed items.
Details: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Nov. 16, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Nov. 17 at 2601 E. Lake Ave. in Watsonville. Admission is $10. ATMs on site. Parking is free. www.goathillfair.com
Benefit boutique
The Nearly New Shop in Sunnyvale is holding its yearly Holiday Boutique from now through Dec. 19. The resale shop, an arm of P.E.O. (Philanthropic Educational Organization), funds scholarships given to women living in Santa Clara and San Mateo counties.
The emporium is filled with seasonal goodies such as ornaments, cards, lights, linens and gift wrap. There are also designer clothes, handbags, jewelry and vintage silver — including a tea service — plus toys, books and household wares.
Details: 10 a.m.-3 p.m. at 225 E. Maude Ave., Sunnyvale; 408-732-6202.
Half Moon Bay collectibles
The semi-annual Half Moon Bay Antiques and Collectibles Show and Sale runs Dec. 14-15, with a wide variety of merchandise from vendors set up inside and outside the I.D.E.S Society Hall. I will be there from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Dec. 15 for informal appraisals ($5) of family keepsakes or garage sale finds. Coins, stamps, arms and other military items not evaluated.
Details: 10 a.m.- 5 p.m. Dec. 14 and 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Dec. 15 at 735 Main St. in Half Moon Bay. Admission is $6. A portion of the proceeds benefit Sweet Farm Foundation, an animal rescue organization. www.hmbantiquesshow.com
This is farewell for me and I shall miss you, the readers, most of all. If you should run into me at an antiques show or a flea market, please stop to say hello.
Read more at www.mercurynews.com/author/steven-wayneyvaska/. Reach Steve Yvaska at steve.yvaska@sbcglobal.net.