Like it or not, thoughts are turning towards Christmas, and all too soon the dreaded dash to the shops will begin, as you seek out this year's perfectly packaged goodies that are on the 'must have' list.
But it doesn't have to be that way.
What if we showed you a way to blitz the majority of your Crimbo shopping list in one fell swoop, with unusual and bespoke gifts tailored for your nearest and dearest, and at reasonable prices?
Beats the usual gift giving of booze, smellies and vouchers, don't you think?
And your opportunity to get ready for Rudolph's visit comes this weekend, with the return of the Handmade & Vintage Fair at thecentre:mk This is the last H&V Fair in 2015, and organisers have made sure that there will be ample craftspeople on hand to get you ready for gift giving – the sort of goodies that are extra special and not the normal High Street 'pile 'em high' examples.
“All the traders are coming via invitation because their work is original and they are experts in their fields,” organiser Jacqui Lewis told Total MK.
“They are all very happy to take commissions for people who want bespoke presents, so pop along and talk to them.
“Loads of the items can be personalised – children's name on toys, names or slogans embroidered onto textiles, and cushions, furniture given a quirky twist by our professional sigh writer and loads more.
“Make the most of having the maker there!”
Among the usually fabulous array of items that visitors to the event can expect to find are smart original art, exquisite jewellery hard carved from coins, superhero items for your own superheroes and woodcrafts.
Christmas always brings party invitations, and finding a fabulous frock to wear can be one added expense too many. But the Handmade & Vintage Fair can take care of that too; they have some of the best top-end vintage clothes and accessory sellers in the business on hand.
Forget decking the halls with boughs of holly, they are ready to deck you in wonderful-wear that will see you stand out from the crowd.
And fella's, you've not been overlooked – new this time is a gents tailor, because you care about what you wear, too, right?
Ceramics and pottery, casting for sculptures of children's hands, unusual handbag makers, cards and prints and personalised decorative items all have space at the event.
You want more? There's lots, lots more.
Crazy up-cycled lamps, quilt makers, jukeboxes and – for the vinyl junkies among us – lots of vinyl to flick through, knitted gifts, luxury handmade natural skincare and collectable bear makers.
Newly made and retro furniture will also feature, and back again to show off the results of their recent trips to the auction houses of Europe will be the Brocant boys.
Or how about a pretty chiffon scarf made of thousands of tiny photographs from your own collection? My Story Gifts can deliver the goods.
“As I looked round the last event, I came across a lamp made out of a prosthetic leg, a cake stand made out of slumped vodka bottles and a brief case made into a boom box,” Jacqui said.
“...so expect the unexpected – and always the gorgeous, the cool and the quirky," she added.
> The Fair will be open for business on Saturday (Oct 31) between 9am and 7pm, and on Sunday (Nov 1) between 10.30am and 5pm.
Admission is free.
