How to shop for the holiday home stretch

Atelier B. at Puces Pop. Photo by Chloe Laetitia Thomas

Whether you’re obliged to buy shit for others or just looking out for #1, Montreal’s makers and sellers of things are flexing all over town, and it’s a great time to score some deals. Here’s how to do it.

Puces Pop sets up shop in a new location for this edition, Dec. 13–15. As usual, the curated bazaar offers all kinds of sweet handmade stuff with an indie aesthetic, including furniture, new and used clothing and jewellery and sassy swag for the house, kitchen and bath. Puces kicks off with a party on Friday night at 5 p.m. featuring DJs Bataille Solaire and ZZ. Église St-Denis (5075 Rivard), Fri 5–9 p.m., Sat–Sun 11 a.m.–6 p.m.

The Old Skool Craft Fair opens for its second consecutive weekend, bringing a broad cross-section of locally made goods by over 100 vendors to the Polish church on St-Viateur. While you’re there, keep an eye open for Yelp!, which will be running a wrapping and gift donation station to help out the Montreal Ronald McDonald House for sick kids and their families. Église St-Michel (105 St-Viateur W., corner of St-Urbain), Sat–Sun 11 a.m.–6 p.m.

Keen to deck out your winter hibernation zone? The galleries of Montreal have got you.

Galerie Circulaire hosts its annual Prêt-à-emporter fundraising art sale through Dec. 14, with over 400 original works priced between $50–$275. 5445 Gaspé #101, hours vary

Greenlight Gallery offers the Cheap Tricks holiday art sale of affordable (under $300) works, starting with an opening and Christmas party on Dec. 13. 3878 St-Laurent, opening party Fri. 8–11 p.m.

Low brow/street art lovers should check out the bazaar at Fresh Paint gallery, running throughout this weekend. 221 Ste-Catherine E., Dec. 14 12–9 p.m., Dec. 15 12–7 p.m. 

More indie art is on offer at La Tour Prisme, where you can catch a one-day craft fair in the new studio space. 6600 St-Urbain #505, Dec. 15 2–8 p.m.

Le repaire des 100 talents hosts a fair featuring recycled and repurposed jewellery, art and other handmade goods all under $100, plus a big used book sale that runs right up to the last minute for tardy shoppers. 5867 St-Hubert, Dec. 13–23, hours vary

This weekend only, Winter Fair on Fairmount offers 12 vendors, gift wrapping, hot soup and cocktails, plus the vernissage for the gallery’s latest exhibition, Show Off. Articule (262 Fairmount W.), vernissage Sat. 5–7 p.m., sale Dec. 14–15, 11 a.m.–6 p.m.

Foodies willing to make a trek should head to local rooftop greenhouse Lufa Farms’ Christmas market on Dec. 14, featuring over 25 local farmers, bakers and more, plus the chance to tour the farms’ Ahuntsic greenhouse. 1400 Antonio-Barbeau, Suite 207, 9 a.m.–7 p.m.

A little closer to home, UQAM hosts a food and design fair with 75 local vendors this weekend, Dec. 14–15. 200 Sherbrooke W., UQAM Mezzanine, Sat. 12–7 p.m., Sun 11 a.m.–6 p.m. 

For local fashion fans, the Grover Building, a large downtown enclave of artists, opens up for a studio sale Dec. 12–14, with deals on art and jewellery from the Grover’s designers including Josiane Perron and Annie 50. 2025 and 2065 Parthenais, Dec. 12 & 13 11 a.m.—9 p.m., Dec. 14 11 a.m.—5 p.m.

Designer Valérie Dumaine also hosts a studio sale this weekend, with deals on samples, past seasons and more. 7080 Alexandria #102, Fri. 12–8 p.m. Sat 12–5 p.m.

In the Old Port, score some fashion-forward bargains at a holiday boutique featuring Travis Taddeo, UNTTLD, Pedram Karimi and others. Dec. 13–14. 209 St-Paul W., Fri. 3–9 p.m., Sat. 12–6 p.m.

Finally, make your own Christmas at Noël DIY on Dec. 19, where you can create and exchange gifts with help from local artists, quaff some holiday cocktails and take in live carols from Richard Martel. Le Lieu (345 du Pont), 1 p.m.–1 a.m., free entry ■