How exactly is the Handmade Holiday Craft Fair that we’re putting on with the fantastic folks at 3rd Ward the epitome of awesomeness? In what ways does it embody all the magic and wonder of the holiday spirit, you ask?

Well, it’s shopping AND a party. A chance to buy gifts to buy AND receive plenty of free goodies yourself. And an opportunity to donate canned goods to the Food Bank of New York and feel all generous.

You’ll support local artists and crafters — and if there’s a place to invest your hard-earned dollars these days, it’s back into Brooklyn. Also, with just over 50 vendors and a huge space, this fair is more intimate, fun and focused and less overwhelming than some others we can think of. Get all your Christmas shopping done in one fell swoop, or just for snacks and the opportunity to take some festive photos in the costume photobooth by Deluxa.

Tom Mylan, world-famous butcher of Marlow & Sons, Diner and Bonita, will be serving chili and cornbread, Brooklyn Kitchen will be selling vintage wares, and everything else from jewelry to LED Hula hoops to dog costumes will be on sale.

In the free column, Gimme coffee will keep us all caffeinated, live music from Sigmund Droid & VJ Clay Franklin will provide a soundtrack for the event and the Third Ward will offer workshops in textile design, electronics and collage. And come say hi to us at the BB merch table (we’ll have baked goods for sale, too) and get your free BB temporary tattoo. Oh, and free totes filled with treats to the first 300 shoppers through the door.

The stats:
Sunday, December 7
Noon to 7pm
At 3rd Ward, 195 Morgan Avenue, Bushwick (directions)
Just over 50 vendors including artists, photographers, knifemakers, chocolatiers, knitters and sewers, jewelers, a butcher, some bakers and maybe even a candlestick maker.

Check out our our interview with Handmade participants, Joel Bukiewicz and Jeff Thompson.

Sent by Annaliese. Photos, from top, courtesy editrrix via flickr, lydiams via flickr, and betsy ply.