Brilliant picture of the Dublin Christmas Tree from Ben Millett (click for more of his pics)

Brilliant picture of the Dublin Christmas Tree from Ben Millett www.benmillett.com

 I’m finally starting my christmas shopping…or at least the shopping prep. I’m sitting surrounded by magazines from the Sunday papers with tons and tons of gift ideas on their glossy little pages, and I’m fully armed with the laptop, blogs and google to help with the list making.

I hate to trawl around the usual shops with panic buys, surly shop assistants and queues of tired shoppers, so this year i’ll be going to market for my live shopping.  A couple of great options are coming up in Dublin next weekend for original gifts and I’m hoping a more christamssy feel. 

For full on traditional xmas effect there is the 12days of Christmas Market at the Dublin Docklands that starts on Fri 12th. The Sligo train drops straight at Connolly right by the Docklands too- bonus.  

Then on Saturday 13th there is a far from traditional affair with the ToeJam Christmas Car Boot Sale at the Bernard Shaw Pub in Portobello. The Toe Jams are great for goodies and tunes, dying to see what their version of a christmas one will be.  

I’m also hoping that Kirk Modern will be at it with his gorgeous retro wares. I stumbled across him at the recent Dublin Flea Market which had it’s inaugural shindig at on Nov 23rd and I’m delighted to read they’ll be back for an xmas version on Dec 21st. If you’re on facebook there is a flea market group you can join or just email them for more info- and they’ve just set up a blogspot.  It was a great day out of a sunday…visited with my friend from Clifden and we loved it.

We strolled up past Christchurch on a crisp winter day and took the Francis Street route so we could stop off at the galleries on the way down (they were closed though- so we stopped off on the way back instead) Mostertruck is always a winner and also worth checking out are the Bad Art Gallery, Cross Gallery and new kids on the block Gallery Zozimus. Oh hell; if this is turning into a gallery guide for the hood of Francis Street then I best throw in a mention of Gallery Number One too- back up on Christchurch you can catch it while you’re in the neighbourhood.

The Flea Market had a great mix of handmade designs- bags, clothes, prints, artworks, jewellery, vintage stuff (clothes and housewares) and a the contents of people’s attics/spare rooms/under stairs cupboards. Good range but better yet great vibes, fun crown and a nice hang out spot down the back.  With fairtrade coffee and delish cakes you could stay all day. Roll on Dec 21st.