Good Tidings to all of you tomatoes and much love for a beautiful season of light and giving! After this newsy letter, I’ll be off for two weeks to enjoy holidaying with family. See you in the next decade. Meanwhile, we have a few ways for you to ring in the new ‘Roaring 20’s. And we love our gifts, but we also love experiences more. So in case you need some ideas for last minute gifts or yourself, check out these bay area finds. HAPPY HOLIDAYING!

New Year’s Eve

Seth McFarlane with the SF Symphony

We adore that multi-talented gent Seth McFarlane and if you hurry you can probably wrangle some tickets to his totally entertaining New Year’s show with the SF Symphony. He is a singer, actor and director and he will bring his winning combination of rich crooning and cool pizazz to the Symphony on the 31^st. His vocal abilities rival those of Frank and Dino (tomatoes you know who I’m talking about.). Watch him light up the stage in a performance of jazz standards and holiday favorites. Sfsymphony.org

Funk Party with Maceo Parker

Anyone want to ring in the new decade on New York time? Yup, us too. SF Jazz is with you and presents a Funk Party with Maceo Parker at 8:00 p.m. Party Favors, a disco ball and complimentary sparkling wine will enhance your dancing skills. www.sfjazz.org

Want to watch the fireworks at the Pier?  Here are a few ways to do so.

A walking tour on the 31^st that begins at 7 p.m. lets you see the magic and experience the romance of our city at night. A casual 3-mile walk (ok a few steep hills), as you get a close up view of the buildings you probably take for granted. Wander the labyrinth at Grace Cathedral, see the big tree at Macy’s and walk inside a giant gingerbread house. A bargain for $25. eventbrite.com

For those with a bigger budget you can purchase tickets to party at The Commonwealth Club on the Embarcadero. This is a multi-level celebration, which includes rooftop views of the famous Embarcadero. Revel in indulgent cuisine, high-end spirits, lively entertainment and dancing. A front row seat to the perfect view of the firework display. qww.commonwealthclub.org

New Year’s Day Run

Want to run into the next decade? New Year’s One Day is the event for you. Run a mile around the lagoon at Crissy Field for 6, 12 or 24 hours to win cash prizes. You can choose to run as little as you want and sign up individually or as a team. Amazing views await as you sweat your way into 2020. Coastaltrailruns.com

Experiences

If you want a last-minute gift or just want a new experience in 2020, here are some ideas to expand your horizons.

Food Tour

On Edible Excursions’ Mission 24th Street food tour, an epicurean concierge leads you on a more than three-hour walking tour of San Francisco’s Mission District. You’ll enjoy new insights about the area’s Latino and South American-influenced food, art and shops, while tasting your way through the neighborhood’s delicacies. Typical tour stops and tastings include cinnamon horchata cupcakes at Mission Minis, “Secret Breakfast” ice cream at Humphry Slocombe and more. You’ll also get a chance to see some of the Mission’s beautiful murals, celebrating the district’s cultural heritage. Get the details.

Dumpling Making Classes

Having just dined at China Live, I am ready for a dumpling making class. You get to pinch, roll and stuff with a professional Dim Sum chef. You will get to perfect (or at least attempt) centuries old techniques and create tender, plump and oh so yummy dumplings. A celebratory sparkling wine toast and dinner, featuring your dim sum creations, will follow the class. This exclusive experience benefits the Chinatown Community Development Center. Get the details.

Give the gift of creation!

Last year my husband and son received this as a gift from me and it was memorable and very special. Local artist Susannah Emerson leads you to develop your own line drawing style by manipulating the fundamentals of mark making, composition, and line work. With your input, Susannah will determine suitable subject —fashion illustration, cityscapes, figure drawing, caricatures, flowers are all possibilities for your session.

You meet Susannah at her home, where she assesses your strengths and brings out the inherent originalities of your point of view. Artists of all levels of experience and sophistication are welcome. By the end of your time together you will have made yourself something suitable for framing, gifting, coveting, Instagramming, or showing off however you see fit.
Get the details.