southern giftologist

Now that Halloween is over, the countdown to the biggest gift-giving season of the year has begun - but there is no need for anyone to panic! There is still plenty of time to figure out what to gift everyone on your list and I'm going to do my very best to help point you in the right direction. There are several local, holiday markets on the horizon that would provide a wonderful opportunity to think - and buy - outside the gift box this season.

Happening Friday, November 20th (noon - 7pm) and Saturday, November 21st (9am - 6pm) is the MADE South Holiday Market at The Factory in Franklin. This is a ticketed event for both days - $15.00 in advance; $19.00 at the door. I attended their first event a couple of months ago and it was chock-full of wonderful goods by regional vendors. Get more info here or check out my previous blog post about their last market here.

You're going to want to clear your calendar the weekend of December 4th - 6th for these next two markets. As I mentioned a couple of blog posts ago, Porter Flea is back for their holiday market Friday, December 4th (ticketed event 6pm - 9pm) and Saturday, December 5th (free event 10am - 5pm) featuring an amazing roster of artisans and their handmade goods. This event takes place at Silver Point Studios in East Nashville. Click here for more info or check out my previous blog post.

Also that weekend, there's a NEW holiday market taking place Saturday, December 5th (10am - 6pm) and Sunday, December 6th (noon - 5pm) - the WEHO Holiday Market & Art Crawl at the Track One building in the Wedgewood-Houston area of Nashville. This free market promises to bring together the "best of art, fashion, design and vintage" and will include artisans and vendors from Nashville and the surrounding region. This event is in conjunction with both the First Saturday Art Crawl in the area and the 2nd Annual Designers in Music City event presented by The WJA Nashville Chapter. Get more information about the WEHO market here.

In case you're wondering, yes, I plan to attend all three markets! If you go, please tag your photos with #southernggifts so I can see all the awesome goods you find. Happy gifting!

I went to the MADE South Market last weekend and WOW...what an amazing event! Purveyors from all over the South were in attendance and I enjoyed discovering some new artisans that I wasn't familiar with. Today I'll share with you my purchases and some of those vendors I'm now following and keeping in mind for the upcoming gift-giving season!

Here's a peek inside my shopping bag. Image southern giftologist

I blame it on the fact we visited right before lunch that I bought so many food-related items, but it was all in the name of research! Here's what I went home with - some for gifts, some for me:

Guitar notecards from Oak + Ink
Candies from the new Seersucker Candy Co.
Old Fashioned mix from Eli Mason
Nokes Granola
Molly & Me pecans
Gents ginger ale & cocktail mixer
Great Bear Wax Co. Autumn candle - can't wait to start burning this just as soon as the weather cools off a bit more!

Here are some other vendors that caught my eye that I'm keeping in mind for future gift-giving occasions:

McQueen Pottery: I fell in love with several of their pieces and can see their pottery making a wonderful house-warming or wedding gift.

Cotton & Pine Creative: It's no secret I'm a sucker for cool stationery, prints or other paper products and these guys have a fun selection of all of those.

I foresee gifting several of these coaster sets this year. Image Cotton & Pine

Mitchell Bat Co.: I will admit at first glance I thought "oh, baseball stuff" and yes, they have some really cool baseball bats and related products. However, what caught my eye were the neat Tennessee products - hats, t-shirts and pennants. I see their products making great guy gifts!

How great is this pennant for a kid's room, man cave or college dorm room? Image Mitchell Bat Co.

There were so many other great artisans representing at MADE South Market that will likely appear in future blog posts as we get closer to the holidays. I hope the folks at MADE South will host this event again next year and if they do, be sure to check it out!

Happy gifting!