I’m going to be posting slightly out-of-order, but I wanted to make sure my Christmas post wasn’t too long after Christmas occurred.

It was only last year that I heard about “Dickens of a Christmas” and I had to check it out for this past Christmas season.  Anyone within driving distance of Wellsboro, Pennsylvania should check this out at least once, in my opinion.

The small town of Wellsboro, PA is charming any time of the year really.  They still use gas lanterns that line the streets, and many of the stores are small business and “mom-and-pop shops” featuring everything from clothing and books to handicrafts and upscale home items.  But once a year this town gets a little more fun.

One weekend a year (in 2018 it was the first weekend in December) the town gets transformed to the time period of Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol.  Townspeople dress in old-fashioned garb and open up their stores (or set up a table display on the sidewalk) and entertain the visitors throughout the day.  While I was there, I heard church choruses singing Christmas carols throughout the day, I saw Santa walking around taking pictures with children and families and I envisioned this was how life may have been like during the time period of Dickens himself.

The main part of town is closed to all motor traffic and police officers and National Guard members were assisting to help pedestrians cross the street on their way to the foot-traffic-only sections of town.

It was amazing to see so many people from all over the state, convening in this one cute town to take advantage of the homemade trinkets and treasures as everyone prepares for the holiday season.  Among the treasures I scored was a set of 10 little, glass, tree-shaped ornaments, and a hand-blown glass pumpkin (that I will save for next Fall).

Since most pop-ups are outside, there were plenty of hand-made hats, gloves and sweaters for sale, as well as drink stations featuring hot chocolate, coffee, and hot apple cider.  And if you happen to get hungry as you walk around for a few hours you are never far away from hot soft pretzels, various soups, Italian sausage, and (my favorite) a baked potato bar!

There was something for everyone at this craft event and I’m so happy I was able to make plans to go.  My only word of advice would be to plan early.  This is a small town and there are not many places to stay overnight, so plan early!  I would suggest checking online in September or October for what date the town is organizing the event so you are able to get a decent room if you need to drive there the night before!