Holiday craft shows in Toronto offer much needed respite from the mall scene, which is generally more Halloween-worthy than festive (shudder). The sights, sounds, and smells of a good craft fair evoke the kind of nostalgia the season is about. How better to fight the winter blues than luxuriating in memories of sipping hot chocolate while browsing handmade sweaters with grandma, right? I made that memory up, but I think you get what I mean. Cinnamon and peppermint are about to hit your nose big time.

Here are the some places Torontonians can hunt for gifts this year that are likely more socially and environmentally friendly than at the big chains, not to mention meaningful, and sanity saving.

The 20th Annual Festival of Smalls
If you're looking to give fine art (or buy something to spruce up your pad this winter) but don't have a huge budget, hit up the Festival of Smalls. Artwork in a variety of styles and mediums is up for sale from $55 - $250. You can browse all available works in their preview here, and if you're sneaky enough you can use the images to test their gift potential. Now until December 24th, Monday to Saturday 10am - 5pm, Sunday 12pm - 5pm. Art Interiors (446 Spadina Rd), free.

Souvenir at Milk Glass Co
This weekend on Dundas West you can grab some gifts that vibe, and I mean this in the best way possible, very Dundas West. Milk Glass Co. knows that some Torontonians just want to get their shopping out of the way before the snow really sets in (snow is so bad for ruining hand screen printed paper totes) so they're having their holiday sale early — and it's going to be a good one. Look for fine art, hand crafted decor, letter press works, coffee, vintage items and accessories from over 30 Canadian designers, artists, and makers. Milk Glass Co ( 1247 Dundas West), Friday, November 15 - Sunday, November 17, free.

Vendor Queens
At Vendor Queens, the small business is king. The pop-up market, featuring all manner of handmade and vintage goods and about 20 vendors, is taking over part of a condo development centre (the old Thrush Holmes Empire space) at Queen and Dovercourt every weekend until the end of 2013. Look for one of a kind vintage items, handmade packaged food wares, and more. Read our review here. 1093 Queen Street West, Saturday & Sundays November 16 until December 29th, 10am - 7PM + three special holiday night markets: Thursday Nov. 21st, Thursday Dec. 12th, Boxing Day.

One Of A Kind Christmas Show & Sale
One of a Kind is like a craft fair mall experience (so, way nicer). Over 800 Canadian artisans from each and every province will be showing and selling handmade gifts at the Direct Energy Centre between Nov 28 - Dec 8. Caffeine up and power through this one, and you might just win the holidays. There will be a gift wrapping centre and, to keep this extra Canadian, daily figure skating performances. November 28 - December 8, most weekdays and Saturdays 10am - 9pm, Thursday 10am - 11pm, Sunday 10am - 6pm. $12 adults, $7 seniors & students, kids free.

Toronto Christmas Market
The Toronto Christmas Market is back for its fourth year, and its expansive set up will (sort of) emulate a European Christmas Market in the Distillery District for the first two weeks of December. Local handcrafted products will be for sale from a variety of vendors. Entertainment will be provided by carollers, a Bavarian brass band, children's choirs and more, plus there will be beer and mulled wine gardens. Damn, mulled wine isn't a thing that happens often enough in Toronto. Distillery Historic District (55 Mill Street), Friday November 29 - Sunday December 15, Mon - Fri noon - 9pm & weekends 10am - 9pm.

The Artisans Gift Fair
This homegrown gift sale in The Annex will run over four weekends starting at the end of November. Look for handcrafted items like garments, soaps, jewelry, zines, journals, and everything from cupcakes to cat toys. The Tranzac is known for being bustling with a community vibe during events like this, so it's bound to be a cozy one. The Tranzac (292 Brunswick Ave), Saturday November 30, December 1, 7, 8, 14, 15, 21, 22. 12pm - 6pm, free.

Healing Power Bazaar
The Healing Power Festival Showcase & Bazaar will be the only event to combine a full on line up of mystery performers with a daytime market. In the afternoon you can find crafts, art, music, clothes, jewelry, food, sparklies and nick-nacks in the Southern Cross and Tiki Rooms. There will be tarot readings, too. After 10pm, mystery artists affiliated with Healing Power Records will perform. Tip - wear the brightest colours you own. Check out the vendor line up on Facebook. Friday, December 6, Tranzac (292 Brunswick Ave), 1pm-8pm + 10pm-late

Bit Bazaar Winter Market
Presented in part by TCAF, this might be the coolest holiday craft event of the season. Bit Bazaar will "celebrate the art and craft of indie games, web comics, and good food" — all of those things are pretty great, right? Exhibitors include indie game creators, arcades, comic artists, zine makers photographers, and chefs (there will be pie). It's like Christmas for nerds. See you there. Bento Miso (862 Richmond St W), Friday, December 6, 7pm (RSVP), Saturday, December 7, 11am - 7pm.

Toronto Young Designers Holiday 2013
Glad to see this one is back! The 4th annual toronto young designers holiday sale will host nineteen local vendors at Brassaii on King West this year. Look for jewellery, home decor, paper goods, baby gifts, clothing, tote bags, art, furniture and beauty supplies. There will be gift wrapping on site. So, why shop till you drop when you can shop til you... brunch? Saturday December 7, 10am - 3pm, Brassaii (461 King Street West), free.

City of Craft
City of Craft is a highly curated juried craft sale is back for its 7th year at The Theatre Centre. High quality wares by established and/or promising local crafters and artisans will be on sale amid installations and workshops, and a gift from this sale is sure to make an impression. Stay tuned to their website for an upcoming vendor list and schedule. The Theatre Centre (1087 & 1095 Queen Street West), December 14 - 15, Saturday 11am - 6pm, Sunday 11am - 5pm, $2 (kids under 12 free).

ADDITIONAL SHOWS AND SALES

Tuesday, November 12

St. Patrick's Bazaar, St. Patrick's Church (5633 Highway 7, Markham), 10am - 2pm

Saturday, November 16

East Rotary Club Arts & Crafts Sale, Eastminster United Church (310 Danforth), 10am - 5pm, free

Holly Berry Fair, Rosedale United Church (159 Roxborough), 10am - 3pm, free

Holiday Craft Sale, 1 Overland Drive (Don Mills Rd. & Lawrence Avenue E.), 9:30am - 1pm

Wednesday, November 20

The Don Valley Art Club Large & Small Holiday Art Show & Sale, The Papermill Gallery, Todmorden Mills Heritage Site (67 Pottery Road), Nov 20 7pm - 9pm. Nov 21 - Dec 1: weekends noon - 5pm and Wed - Fri noon - 4pm, free

Saturday, November 23

Hippo School Craft Fair, Hippo School (729 St. Clair Avenue West), Nov 23 10am - 3pm

Swansea Craft Sale, Swansea Public School (207 Windermere), 10am - 3pm, $2 adults, children $1

Christmas Bazaar, German International School Toronto (980 Dufferin Street,) 12pm - 4pm.

Tuesday, November 26

St Christopher's Christmas Bazaar, St Christopher House ( 248 Ossington). Nov 26 10am - 7:30pm + Nov 27 & 28 10:30am - 4:30pm. free

Thursday, November 28

Festive Bazaar, Greenwood Towers (145 Strathmore), noon - 6pm, free

Oxfam University of Toronto's Second Annual Holiday Bazaar, East Common Room, Hart House (7 Hart House Circle, Toronto, ON), 12 - 5pm, free

Friday, November 29

St Demetrius Christmas Bazaar, St Demetrius (135 La Rose). Nov 29, 11am - 8pm & Nov 30, 10am - 3pm, free

Annual Fair Trade Holiday Sale for Guatemala, Fleck Atrium, Rotman School of Management (105 St. George Street,) 11am - 7pm.

Saturday, November 30

Mondo Bazaar, The Gladstone (1214 Queen Street West), Saturday November 30 - Sunday December 1, 10am - 5pm, free

Crafternoon Tea in Leslieville, Queen Street East Presb Church (947 Queen East,) 11am to 5pm

Sunday, December 1

Sassy Little Craft Show, The Central (603 Markham), 2 - 8pm, free

Artisan Social, Studios of Gilchrist Canavan Irish Dance (through the Red Gate, behind the Ceili Cottage at 1301 Queen St E), 1-5pm

Monday, December 2

Toronto School of Art's tinyART SALE, Toronto School of Art (980 Dufferin Street, 2nd Floor), Dec 2 - 3, 10am - 6pm, free

Wednesday, December 4

SHOP STUDIO HUDDLE, Studio Huddle (97 Niagara St. Toronto) December 4th - 22nd 2013, Wed-Fri: 4pm-8pm, Sat&Sun: 11am-6pm, free

Thursday, December 5

Open Studio's Artist Proof Sale, Open Studio (401 Richmond St. West, Suite #104), Thursday, December 5, - Saturday, December 21

Friday, December 6

Holiday Pop-Up Craft Shop, December 6 - 24, Ontario Crafts Council (990 Queen Street West), Monday through Sunday, 11:00am - 7:00pm

TPL's Arts And Crafts Fair for United Way, North York Central Library (5120 Yonge), 11am - 6pm, free

Holiday Gift Fair, Central Eglinton Community Centre (160 Eglinton E), 10am, free

Saturday, December 7

Nathalie-Roze Holiday Pop Up, Saturday, December 7 - Sunday, December 8, Ceili Cottage - Yurt (1301 Queen St. East), 11am - 4pm

Firsthand Fair Holiday Edition, Sneaky Dee's (431 College St), December 7 & 8, 11am - 5pm

Gladstone Flea, Gladstone Hotel (1214 Queen Street West), 10am - 4pm

Gifts Of My Hands Holiday Craft Market, Sorauren Park Fieldhouse (50 Wabash Ave), 11am - 6pm, free

Movies and Makers, Fox Theatre (2236 Queen St East), 11am - 5:30pm

Maker's Cartel, December 7-8, The Foundery (376 Bathurst St)

Markham Guild of Village Crafts' Annual Bells and Bows Artisan Sale. 11 Church Street, Markham, 9am - 3pm

St. Rochs Christmas Bazaar, St. Rochs Elemenary School (174 Duncanwoods Drive), 9am - 3pm

Christmas Missions Bazaar, Saalem/Bayview Family Church (2570 Bayview Ave)

Sunday, December 8

Alternative Gift Fair, Toronto Tool Library & Makerspace (1803 Danforth Avenue), 10am-3pm, option to bring gifts - more info here

Wednesday, December 11

CSI Pop Up Market, Centre for Social Innovation (720 Bathurst), 11am-5pm, free

Thursday, December 12

19th Annual CBC Employees' Charity Craft Sale, CBC Atrium (250 Front Street West) 8:30am - 5:30pm, free

401 Artisans Marketplace, 401 Richmond (401 Richmond St. W), Thursday, December 12 - Sunday, December 15, various times

Saturday, December 14

BazaarBazaarBazaar, Art Gallery of Ontario, Youth Concourse Building (317 Dundas W), 11am - 8pm

Toronto Indie Arts Market Small Press & Literary Festival, Gladstone Hotel (1214 Queen W), 10:30am - 4:30pm, $5

Native Arts & Crafts Xmas Sale 10 am-4 pm. Free. Native Canadian Centre, 16 Spadina Rd

Toronto Etsy Street Team's 1st Annual Christmas Marketplace, Saint-Stephens-in-the-Fields (103 Bellevue), 11am - 5:30pm

Sunday, December 15

Frost Bite: The bazaar of the bizarre Holiday Marketplace, Pia Bouman Ballet School (6 Noble St.), 11am - 8pm, free

Thursday, December 19

Cut, Cut, Paste Holiday Craft Show, Beaver Café (1192 Queen W), 6 - 10:30pm, free

Saturday, December 21

Winter Folk Bazaar, St. Vladimir Institute (608 Ossington Ave)

Santa's Choice Zine Fair, XPACE (303 Lansdowne Ave), 12pm - 6pm, free

Lead photo via City of Craft