If you aren’t making all of your holiday gifts out of financial necessity or creative DIY inclinations this year, consider buying handmade instead. Patronizing holiday fairs in New York is a festive and kill-two-birds-with-one-stone way to browse for gifts: you are supporting independent designers, many of whom are local to the area, and you can get the bulk of your shopping done in one fell swoop. What’s on the schedule this year? Read on!

Dec. 6, 10am-5pm
Handmade Cavalcade at the Knitting Factory will host The {NewNew} York Etsy Street Team, a fun group of sellers (yours truly is a member!) of handmade goods from around the five boroughs. 74 Leonard Street in Manhattan. Site>>

Dec. 7, noon-7pm
Handmade Holiday Craft Fair is what results when WE team up with the multi-purpose art studio and gallery space, 3rd Ward. Items from 50 artisans will be up for sale, like LED Hula Hoops and homemade treats! 195 Morgan Avenue. Site>>

Dec. 7, 14 and 21, 11am-6pm
Gifted: A Holiday Market continues through the next three Sundays in December, courtesy of Brooklyn Flea and Time Out New York. Instead of setting up shop at the Brooklyn Flea’s outdoor space (which runs through Dec. 21 too), 50 curated vendors are just a stone’s throw away, inside the toasty Brooklyn Masonic Temple, 317 Clermont Ave. Site>>

Dec. 14, 10am-7:30pm
BUST Holiday Craftacular. From iPod cozies and revamped vintage threads to goodies for your sweet tooth and soaps packed with sass, the folks at BUST continue to support the handmade movement they have toted for 15 years now. At the Metropolitan Pavilion, 125 West 18th Street in Manhattan. Site>>

Dec. 18-23, noon-6pm
New York Creates’ Fourth Annual Holiday Crafts Fair is a juried fair at the Brooklyn Historical Society with about 25 artists involved. 128 Pierrpont St. Site>>

Dec. 20-21, 11am-7pm
At Brooklyn Lyceum’s 1st Artisans’ Indoor Craft Market, 60+ local craft and food vendors will be hawking everything from fine jewelry to original art to hand-made soaps and knit sweaters while DJ Whistlepunk spins holiday cheer. Food, beer, wine and coffee on tap, too. 227 4th Ave. Site>>

Sent by Alicia. Photos by Alicia Kachmar, except image of Gifted: A Holiday Market, courtesy Eric Demby.