Thursday, November 7, 2019 5:00 am

Can you hear the cash registers chime? It’s holiday shopping time! If you’re like me, you like to hit as many handmade markets as you can during the shopping season. Compared to the major malls, a handmade market feels so much more festive. While I love the Christmas season and accompanying holidays, I’m not a fan of the feeling of excess consumerism I sometimes get after holiday binge shopping. When I’m supporting small businesses, the shopping feels a bit more thoughtful.

To help you get your fix, here are some of the top handmade markets coming up before the holidays.

Saturday, November 9

Handmade Market - Milton Mall, 9:30-6

Craftadian Christmas Market Port Credit - First United Church, Port Credit, 10-4

Sunday, November 10

Waterloo Christmas Market - Rim Park, 10-3

Thursday, November 14 (through Sunday December 22)

Toronto Christmas Market - The Toronto Distillery District (General admission $8 in advance, $12 day-of)

Friday, November 15

All Handmade Marketplace - 1280 Dundas St., Oakville, 5-9pm

Saturday, November 16

Grimsby Christmas Market  - West Niagara Fairgrounds, 10-3pm

All Handmade Marketplace - 1280 Dundas St., Oakville, 10-4pm

Friday, November 22

The HandMade Market Niagara - Scotiabank Convention Centre, 12-9pm

Saturday, November 23

Brantford Christmas Market - Branlyn Community Centre, 10-3pm

The HandMade Market Niagara - Scotiabank Convention Centre, 10-6pm

Sunday, November 24

The HandMade Market Niagara - Scotiabank Convention Centre, 10-5pm