Like walking into a real-live Hallmark Movie

While Aunt Mattie was here for Thanksgiving, we took advantage of a unique offering by a nearby town ... a Dickens Christmas Festival!  We braved the cold and wind to go and listen to carolers dressed in Dickens-era costumes, drink hot chocolate, and browse cutesy little shops and galleries.

Will asked me at one point if I felt like I had walked into the middle of a Hallmark movie, and really, how could you not feel like that?

Mattie and me with Scrooge

A group of carolers on the street-corner ... and Tiny Tim!

Benjamin stayed pretty warm ... and only pulled the mittens off a couple of times

Brass ensemble playing carols outside the shops ... see what I mean about being in a Hallmark movie?

A scene from A Christmas Carol taking place on the front lawn of the town hall

You could even borrow costumes for free!

Christmas carol sing-a-long at the park

Despite the numb feet and faces, I think this was one of my favorite Christmas activities ever!  What a great way to kick off the season!