It all began in February 1953 with a “Trash & Treasure” sale to raise beautification project funds for the newly-founded Solana Beach Women’s Civic Club. That first “pop-up” shop at Witmer Drugs (now Lazy Tuna Sushi), netted $650 to buy and plant shrubs along Hwy. 101. In December, the same year, the Club hosted its first Christmas Tea and gift sale, launching a tradition that has expanded and continues annually — our Holiday Boutique.
Crafts Group leader Pam Dalton recounted the early Teas after a long morning of pricing and tagging a staggering array of beautiful, hand-made quilts and pillows, embroidered dish towels and pillow cases, ornaments, vintage ceramics, and more. “In the beginning, they’d select four or five members’ homes to decorate for the holidays and then invite folks in for tea and to select from hand-made gifts for sale,” Pam said. The Christmas Tea tradition continued for five or six years, according to co-leader Phyllis Schwartzlose. “Then, before it was renovated, we held rummage sales at Fletcher Cove Community Center, which evolved into the Holiday Bazaar and, now, the Holiday Boutique — which has become quite popular.”
In 2019, an estimated 300 shoppers visited the Boutique, generating a record $7,500 in sales. Over the decades, we estimate that the event has generated $200,000 or more to support the Society’s contributions to Solana Beach.
In 2020, another evolution helped sustain the popular tradition during the global pandemic. The 2020 Holiday Boutique became a virtual event with a storefront on this website and close to 1,000 items in stock.
The Crafts Group counts about 30 members, many of whom work year-long in their sewing rooms or art studios, turning rare finds or donations of vintage fabric and laces into one-of-a-kind treasures. “These just showed up on my doorstep this morning,” Pam noted, displaying adorable sets of hand-knitted baby sweaters with matching hats from an unknown artisan donor. Phyllis also contributes hand-knit baby items, as well as her signature sock monkeys and sets of Raggedy Ann and Andy dolls. “What I love about our group is that we make gifts — year-round presents — not just Christmas items,” Phyllis noted.
Currently, members meet by Zoom video conference for group projects and Boutique planning. Call Pam Dalton for more information at 858-755-8574.
Boo-Boo had been looking forward to the Historical Society’s Halloween party all month. He had never been to one before, and was excited to dress up in his best white sheet.
Jackie o’Lantern was feeling excited as she made her way to the community center by the sea. It was the earliest Halloween party of the season, and Jackie loved nothing more than dressing up and celebrating with her friends.
The Jinx attended the earliest Halloween party of the season, at a community center by the sea. It was two days before the full moon and the days might finally start to get chilly. The Jinx was excited to attend his first Halloween party, but he was also nervous. What would he wear? He had no idea what costumes humans wore. He decided to go as himself and flew to the party in a cloud of dark smoke.
Obscuro was getting excited for the upcoming Halloween party. It would be his first one of the season, and he was looking forward to dressing up in his favorite costume. He had white latex skin that made his face look like a mask, so he always stuck out in a crowd. But that was exactly why he loved going to Halloween parties- he loved the opportunity to show off his unique look.
Lucius Morte had never been to a Halloween party before. He had always been too busy tormenting the damned in the 4th level of hell to bother with earthly celebrations. But this year, he was feeling particularly restless and decided to venture out into the world of mortals. He found a community center by the sea that was hosting a Halloween party and decided to attend.
Vespera was so excited to go to the Halloween party. It was at a community center by the sea, and it would be her first party in a long time! She had been practicing her mime and charade skills for weeks, and she was determined to show everyone how good she was.
Gourdy Bane was very excited to attend the earliest Halloween party of the season. It was being held at a community center by the sea, and he loved the sound of waves crashing against the shore. When he arrived, he saw that the party was already in full swing. There were pumpkins everywhere, and people were dressed in costumes. Gourdy Bane saw a couple of gourds wearing pirate costumes, and he couldn’t help but laugh. He loved Halloween parties, and he was having a great time dancing to the music and eating candy.
Morrigana was very excited to attend the Halloween party at the community center by the sea. It was two days before the full moon, and the days were finally starting to get chilly. Morrigana had been working on her Halloween outfit all year long, and she was looking forward to showing it off.
William Wisp had been looking forward to the community center’s Halloween party all month long. It was going to be two days before the full moon, and he loved the smell of fall in the air (cinnamon and pumpkin spice). His Halloween costume was all ready to go, and he was excited to show it off to all of his friends. This year, he was dressed as a pumpkin. His little orange boots matched his little pumpkin body perfectly.
Mr. Creepers was all dressed up and ready to go to the community center by the sea for the earliest Halloween party of the season. It had been a long time since he’d been out and about, but he was feeling young at heart and ready to have some fun. He loved the black 1940s coat that he had found at a thrift store and felt confident that he would be the most stylish person at the party.
The Frankster had always loved Halloween. He loved the costumes, the candy, and most of all, the parties. This year, he was especially excited for the party at the community center by the sea. It was two days before the full moon, and he could feel a tiny bit of a cool autumn breeze in the air.
Wooblydook was really excited to attend the Halloween party at the community center by the sea. He had never been to one before, and he was looking forward to kale pulling and making neep lanterns. The party was two days before the full moon, and Wooblydook was hoping it would start to get chilly soon. He loved being out in the cold and feeling his bat-like ears flap in the wind.
As the sun began to set, the community center by the sea came to life. Lights flickered on, announcing that the earliest Halloween party of the season was about to start. A golden sun slowly rose in the sky, growing brighter and brighter as it got closer to the horizon. As it reached its peak, people whispered: this sun only came out at night. It was the Midnight Sun.