There is nothing I hate more than buying Christmas gifts. It’s hard to know what to get people, and there’s this sort of sinking, soulless feeling if you end up freaking out and just buying something at the mall — or even worse, Amazon.

Enter the Indie Mart, a monthly party where local designers and artists come hawk their wares, while DJs spin, bartenders serve up margaritas and bloody marys and people browse racks of altered and handmade clothing, spreads of vintage and new jewelery, and any number of other quirky items, from feather hats to clocks to wall-mounted bottle openers.

Indie Mart in San Francisco

The holiday Indie Mart in December is always the biggest because everyone is shopping their butt off for the holidays — and there’s a guilt-free sense about it. You may be paying more for certain items, but (a) you’re supporting local, struggling artists even if you’re paying a little more, (b) the labor is all local and done by hand, (c) the materials are often recycled or otherwise locally sourced, and (d) the items are all super unique with the kind of handmade feeling that makes moms excited.

I am a big fan of their feathered earrings and jewelery — so it’s kind of hard to keep my eyes on the prize and not just by things for myself.

Every month the event rotates to a different venue — usually a music venue or a bar — but it’s always a Sunday afternoon. During the summer, they choose locations with big outdoor areas.

The woman behind the Indie Mart is the same person who’s opened an awesome new space in San Francisco called Workshop.

Upcoming event at Workshop in San Francisco.

The space is intended to provide space for a range of crafty and DIY classes — both one-time deals and longer-term series — that are affordable to the creative types who might be interested. Their offering is quirky, ranging from a rock & roll sewing class for dudes and shrinky dink personalized gifts to making holiday cocktails and herb-infused cooking oils.

San Francisco has needed a place like this for a long time. I’m glad to see it’s finally come to be.