{"id":3152,"date":"2012-11-23T09:22:00","date_gmt":"2012-11-23T09:22:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/bostonzest.com\/?p=3152"},"modified":"2012-11-23T09:22:00","modified_gmt":"2012-11-23T09:22:00","slug":"2012-boston-area-holiday-markets-and-other-places-for-unique-gifts","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/bostonzest.com\/?p=3152","title":{"rendered":"2012 Boston Area Holiday Markets & Other Places for Unique Gifts"},"content":{"rendered":"

Last week, over on the Trip Advisor Boston forum, a visitor asked about Christmas Markets.<\/a> It made me think about the special Holiday Markets and events like CraftBoston that I could recommend to anyone thinking about a special shopping experience that will result in presenting unique, handcrafted, or at least carefully selected gifts for the holidays, or to stockpile for the rest of the year. <\/p>\n

Here are some of the events and places I recommend to avoid chains, keep the money local, and support hard working artists and artisans. <\/p>\n

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The Downtown Crossing Holiday Market<\/a><\/strong> (next to Macy's) begins November 24th and operates daily.<\/p>\n

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Madeleine Ahlborn's Edge 2012 (mixed media and oil on canvas 6×6 feet)<\/span><\/em><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

The  <\/strong><\/a>Museum School of the Museum of Fine Arts<\/a><\/strong> will hold their Annual Art Sale<\/strong> of student, alumni, and faculty work from November 29th to December 2nd. (The photo above of one of the pieces on offer is courtesy of the Museum School. )<\/p>\n

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The Somerville Holiday Market<\/a><\/strong> on December 2nd at the Armory, 191 Highland Avenue, Somerville MA.<\/p>\n

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The Society of Arts and Crafts' Craftboston Holiday Show<\/a><\/strong> is December 7, 8, 9 at the Cyclorama on Tremont street.<\/p>\n

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SOWA Holiday Market<\/a><\/strong> Saturday & Sunday, December 8 & 9, 2012. This is always a fun event and if you've attended in the past, you should note that they have a new location. This year's market will be held at the Ben Franklin Institute, 41 Berkeley Street, Boston, MA. <\/p>\n

Bazaar Bizarre Boston<\/a><\/strong>, Sunday December 16th, is in its 12th year. You'll find this collection of mostly New Engalnd artists and craftspeople at the Boston Center for the Arts Cyclorama<\/a> building on Tremont Street.<\/p>\n

Holly Fair 2012 at the Cambridge Center for Adult Education<\/a><\/strong>, December 15th & 16th, was added to the trip advisor list by ChristineP, and she has a reputation for knowing how to enjoy Boston. It's at 42 Brattle Street in Cambridge. <\/p>\n

Places to Shop for the Holidays or Anytime!<\/strong><\/h3>\n

 
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Stop into the Society of Arts and Crafts<\/a><\/strong> shop on Newbury Street to find very fine handmade gifts. <\/p>\n

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If you are in the North End<\/strong>, stop by the  <\/strong><\/a>North Bennet Street School Gallery<\/a><\/strong> for carefully crafted gifts from this school's skilled students and alumni. This neighborhood also has a nice collection of small shops and is a wonderful place to buy food gifts.<\/p>\n

And, Beacon Hill, and Charles Street<\/a><\/strong> in particular, still has a wonderful collection of neighborhood shops where you can buy hand selected items in a warm, friendly place. The community has done a great job of protecting their neighborhood from chains so it's worth a visit.<\/p>\n

Any more places or events you love to shop?<\/strong> Add them in the comments below or send us an email<\/a> and we'll check it out for a possible update to this list.<\/p>\n

Do you have an Amazon Gift Certificate to use? Or do you need to buy one for a gift? Remember to click over to Amazon<\/a>\"\" from here to support this site!<\/em><\/p>\n

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