Holiday Shopping Guide

Those looking to swap holiday fads for unique gift selections are in luck this holiday season. The upcoming weekend and the remainder of December are overflowing with opportunities for shoppers to personalize their gift purchases and get creative at holiday shopping markets throughout the city.

Here are a few of the holiday shopping events taking place this month:

CraftBoston Holiday Show

The Society of Arts and Crafts is holding the CraftBoston Holiday Show. The event will feature more than 100 exhibitors at the Hynes Convention Center in Back Bay from Friday, Dec. 5 through Sunday, Dec. 7.

Attendees can shop for unique gift items and learn about their purchases from the makers who will be in attendance.

Show hours are Friday, Dec. 5 and Saturday, Dec. 7 from 10 a.m. and 7 p.m. and Sunday, Dec. 7 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Admission is $15 for general admission, $13 for senior citizens, $12 for students, $7.50 for the Society of Arts and Crafts members and free for children under 12.

Admission tickets are valid for readmission throughout the weekend.

Call 617-266-1810 to purchase a CraftBoston Holiday Weekend Pass and for information on group rates.

The Downtown Holiday Market

The Downtown Holiday Market is in a new pop-up location at 459 Washington St. where Tello’s was located.

It features local arts and crafts vendors who will be at the market every day through Saturday, Jan. 10. Hours are 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sundays.

Santa Claus will also be at the market to greet children and take photos for free every day through Tuesday, Dec. 23 from noon to 2 p.m. on weekdays and weekends, and 3 to 4 p.m. on weekends.

A Maven’s World Holiday Shopping Bazaar and Festival in the City

Lifestyle brand A Maven’s World is holding its

family-friendly shopping event from noon to 5 p.m.

Saturday, Dec. 6.

The Holiday Shopping Bazaar and Festival in the City is being held at the Reggie Lewis Track and Athletic Center in Roxbury.

The event offers shoppers the opportunity to purchase from artisans, crafters, vendors and designers.

At the same event, children have the opportunity to get their face painted, take photos with Santa and participate in other activities.

Admission is free for the event.

For more information, email info@amavensworld.com

Harvard Square Holiday Fair

The Harvard Square Holiday Fair offers gift items from local and international makers.

The fair takes place three weekends this month starting Friday, Dec. 5 to Sunday, Dec. 7 in the basement and courtyard of the First Parish Church on the corner of Church Street and Massachusetts Ave. in Cambridge.

The other dates are Friday, Dec. 12 through Sunday, Dec. 14 and Thursday, Dec. 18 through Tuesday, Dec. 23.

The hours are weekdays from 11:30 a.m. to 7 p.m., Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sundays from noon to 6 p.m.

SoWa Holiday Market

The SoWa Holiday Market at the Benjamin Franklin Institute focuses creating a space for New England independent designers, artists and crafters to sell their creations.

Shoppers can choose from a variety of handbags, jewelry, pottery, letterpress stationeries, silk-screened t-shirts, baby clothes, re-purposed wool accessories and more.

This year’s market is Saturday, Dec. 13 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Admission is $5 with children under 12 free.

CropCircle Kitchen’s Holiday Market

When: Sunday, December 7, 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Where: 196 Quincy St. Dorchester MA 02121

Cost: Free

All ages

Join us at CropCircle Kitchen’s Holiday Market for a chance to support local food businesses and artists while doing your holiday shopping! The market features a sampling of incredible locally hand-made food products and art, as well as cooking demonstrations, live music, and kids activities.

CropCircle Kitchen, Inc. is Boston’s only shared-use kitchen and culinary incubator. It aims to promote small business development with an emphasis on women and minority-owned businesses; create jobs with few barriers to entry; build community assets; improve access to local, healthy foods in low-income neighborhoods; and strengthen the regional food economy.

www.cropcirclekitchen.org