Merry craftsmas! The Brokelyn guide to holiday craft markets

If you’re like me, you get stressed out when when December rolls around and its time to buy gifts for Hanukkah and Christmas. It seems like I have to buy for everyone– my parents, friends, bosses, boyfriends, girlfriends, secret crushes, the friendly neighbor that dog sits when you go away, kind people that do favors for me, etc. And, in case you forget someone, my trick is to have an extra gift handy because you never know when you’re going to need it. Luckily for us Brooklynites there are lots of ways to shop locally and support Brooklyn based artists, and keep away from the Manhattan tourists who want to see the tree and walk slowly down the sidewalks. Here are the best holiday markets in every neighborhood to keep your holiday season stress (and crowd) free.

Bushwick
Vegan Holiday Shop-Ups
Pine Box Rock Shop, 12 Grattan St. off of the Morgan L
Saturdays, Dec 8th, 15th, & 22nd 12-5pm
This is NYC’s only vegan pop-up shop featuring gifts and foods like homemade nut milks, cookies, cakes, kombucha, Ethiopian snacks, eco-friendly clothing, and more. They also claim that it‘s “always happy hour” during the Vegan Shop-Ups, so come thirsty and hungry.

Duck Duck Jewelry Fair
161 Montrose Ave
Dec. 9th, 4pm
Shop for cute gifts for girls (and guys into man jewelry) at this holiday fair.

The Sixth Annual Handmade Holiday Craft Fair at 3rd Ward
195 Morgan Ave
Dec. 15th 12-6pm.
First 200 people receive a limited-edition tote bag. Featuring over 100 Brooklyn-based vendors, and drinks and snacks from Boerum Hill’s Rucola.

Greenpoint
Greenpointers Holiday Market
69 West St.
Dec. 8th, 12-6pm
Featuring gifts, art, crafts and food from Greenpoint and Brooklyn makers. Also a DIY holiday Photobooth and Gift Wrapping Station, and a bar with festive holiday drinks.

Manufacture NY x Love NY Holiday Pop Up Shop
13 Greenpoint Ave
Dec. 8th, 12-6pm
This is a one day pop-up shop featuring items made by local designers such as bridal wear by Nathalie Krayina and leather goods by Apartment 4B, with a collective goal to support the independent designers and manufacturing industry.

Williamsburg
Brooklyn Night Bazaar
45 N. 5th Street (enter between Wythe and Kent Ave.)
Through Dec. 22, Friday and Saturday nights, 6pm-Midnight
The Night Bazaar was inspired by markets across Asia, and features vendors (like hand painted skateboards from A Little Beast), art and music (such as Kyp Malone from TV On The Radio). Probably the most anticipated market of the season (and my suggestion as a not to miss!)

Williamsburg Fashion Weekend Holiday Market
Bird River Studios, 343 Grand St.
Dec 15th ad 16th
This market features clothing and other types of wearable art by such designers as dresses by Brittany Erb and bags made from recycled materials by Himane Sustainable Designs.

Park Slope/Gowanus
Crafted at the Canal by Built It Green!
Gowanus Reuse Center – 69 9th St. btw Smith St and 2nd Ave
Dec. 7th, Craft Fair and Holiday Party 6-10pm (free beer), Dec. 8th 10-5pm (no party)
Help Build It Green! recover from Sandy and support local artists and find one-of-a-kind gifts like tin clocks by New York Clocks, and jewelry made from bike parts by Recycle-A-Bicycle Jewelry.

PS 321 Holiday Shop
180 7th Ave (between 1st and 2nd St.)
Dec. 8th 10-5pm
The event features over 90 artists AND a team from Urbansitter will be there to keep kids crafting, making things like pasta necklaces and origami ornaments, while the adults shop.

Gowanus Nite Market
540 President Street
Dec. 8th 7pm-Midnight (and every 2nd Sat)
A hip indoor night market featuring artists, vendors, food, a DJ, in a boutique film props warehouse.

Brooklyn Craft Central Annual Holiday Market
Littlefield Art Space, 622 Degraw Street between 3rd and 4th Ave.
Dec. 15th and 16th, Dec. 22nd and 23rd 11-5pm
Featuring products at a variety of price points from local designers and food vendors, and different vendors each weekend so you can go twice. Don’t forget to try a seasonal cocktail such as the Wooly Knit (a hot cider with bourbon). Sponsored by Krrb, Yelp, Everyblock, and the Brooklyn Creative League.

South Slope Craft Fair
511 Seventh Ave (between Prospect Ave and 17th Street)
Dec. 15th 11-5pm
Featuring jewelry, apparel, ceramics, and snacks by the Kimichi Taco Truck, a raffle, and free art workshops. Hosted by the Brooklyn Craft Workshop.

Brooklyn Lyceum Holiday Market
227 4th Ave, Corner of President Street
Dec. 15th and 16th, 11-7pm
Featuring crafts, photos with Santa, and holiday films like “A Charlie Brown Christmas” and “A Christmas Carol.”

Fort Greene
Brooklyn Flea’s Gifted Holiday Market
Skylight One Hanson, 1 Hanson Place
Now through Dec 22/23, Saturday and Sunday 10-6pm
This market is indoors at the former Williamsburg Savings Bank and features 100 vendors on 3 floors. This year’s Gifted market will have raw oysters shucked by the entrance, Butter & Scotch Brooklyn’s first dessert-cocktail bar, and gift items as SKT Ceramics animal-motif pots and bowls, and Thompson Bags burlap and denim totes.

Dumbo
The Degenerate Craft Fair
155 Water Street
Dec. 15th 12-9pm, opening night reception 6-9pm featuring FREE BEER and music
Dec 16th 11-6pm, first 50 guests get a free tote bag with goodies
Called an “anti-art” fair and features over 50 artists, and designers such as vintage jewelry by Wink and Flip and super cute plush dolls by Life With Tigers.

Ditmas Park
Brooklyn ARTery
1020 Cortelyou Road
Tues – Sunday 11am – 6pm (7pm on weekends)
Featuring both handmade items to buy, like jewelry, clothing and artwork and the chance to take classes on how to make your own necessities like soap, pickles and mustard.

Bay Ridge
Scandinavian Christmas Market
Nordic Delicacies – 6909 Third Avenue
Dec 15th, 10-3pm
Features a variety of Christmas items for sale with holiday events and entertainment taking place the whole day.

Follow Marti for more crafty advice @MartiZabell