If you're looking for locally made or handcrafted gifts to give to those nearest and dearest to your heart this holiday season, you're in luck. Pop-ups, one-day shopping extravaganzas and weekend craft market blowouts are about to bring shopping small to a whole new level. Mark your calendars and come experience what Atlanta and the South's creative community have to offer gift givers this holiday season at the Indie Craft Experience (ICE) and Root City Market.
Indie Craft Experience (ICE) Holiday Shopping Spectacular| 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Nov. 21-Nov. 22. $5 cash at the door.
Georgia Freight Depot, 65 MLK Jr Drive Atlanta, Ga. 30303
www.ice-atlanta.com
Kick off Thanksgiving week by getting a jump on your holiday gift purchasing with this locally-made, handcrafted, vintage shopping spectacular at the Georgia Freight Depot. For over a decade, ICE has drawn thousands of Atlantans seeking a unique alternative to the big box shops and malls. Shop small this holiday season at over 175 booths such as A Vintage Affair clothing and shoes, Block & Hammer silver goods, Fossil & Hide jewelry, KMM & Co leather bags, Little Barn Apothecary, Shirts Y'all tees and Eli Mason cocktail mixers and syrups. Be sure to keep your eye out for ICE's spring and summer events as well as Salvage, their modern vintage marketplace in the fall. Local food vendors. Live DJ. First 250 attendees receive special swag bags. For more information, visit www.ice-atlanta.com.
Root City Market Holiday Pop-Up | 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Dec. 12. $5 admission.
Stove Works, 112 Krog St. Atlanta, Ga. 30307
www.rootcitymarket.com
This "Made in the South" market has made a big name for itself in the last two years for showcasing mainly Atlanta crafts makers and clothing designers. Shop small for your Atlanta family and friends at Root City's biggest market of the year with over 45 shops such as Grandiflora Textiles, Erin Wood Photography, Terminus Threads, Yes Ma'am Paper + Goods, The Bitter Southerner and Ecomaniac Sustainable Jewelry. Live music by local duo Max and Maggie. Local food vendors including Wanderlust Coffee for your caffeine needs. The first 50 people will receive special swag bags. All guests can enter to win $500 worth of goods from the market's makers. For more information, visit www.rootcitymarket.com.
Indie Craft Experience (ICE) Pop-Up Shop | Nov. 12-Dec. 23
1390 McLendon Ave. NE Atlanta, Ga. 30307
www.ice-atlanta.com/pop-up-shop
If you can't make it to either of the craft markets or simply need a last minute gift, head over to the ICE pop-up market in Candler Park for a bit of local shopping without the crowds. Back this year at its McLendon address, the temporary shop includes over 70 artists and crafts makers from around the country, including many from Atlanta. Shopping makes you hungry. When you're done perusing the handmade wares, hop over to Little Five Points for a bite at The Porter Beer Bar and grab a bowl of their daily, seasoned popcorn and a pint of local beer on draft or drive down the lane to The Wrecking Bar for chef Terry Koval's beer cheese soup and corn pups. Wash it down with a Kolsch from their on site brewery next door.
Pop-up hours: Tuesday-Thursday 11 a.m.-7 p.m., Friday-Saturday 11 a.m. -8 p.m., Sunday 12 p.m.-6 p.m., Closed Monday. For more information, visit www.ice-atlanta.com/pop-up-shop.
For more ideas about gifts, decorating, where to eat and what to do, check out our complete Atlanta Holiday Guide.
