LIFESTYLE

It's the most wonderful time of the year... almost. If you're not quite there yet when it comes to the festive spirit, have a look at this magical line up of Christmas events happening in Brighton, Hove & Sussex in the run-up to the big day. From independent markets to pop-up shopping events, yule get your shopping sorted with this little lot. Studio 50 xmas open house preview A favourite of ours, the creative people over at Studio 50 in Hove are celebrating their open house in December, kicking off with a private view on Friday 22nd November. They will be hosting space for some fab local sustainable designer-makers including Katie Weiner Jewellery, Cocoon and Me and In the Making, as well as sustainable fashion and lifestyle brand Honest Woman by Deborah Simpson. In a nutshell, a lot of beautiful things to cast your eye over and add to your Christmas list while you're at it... Open Wednesday to Sunday from 22nd November until 8th December Studio 50, 50 Brunswick Street West, Hove BN3 1EL Brighton Etsy Made Local The Brighton Etsy Seller's Team will be back for another epic market, celebrating their 6th annual event on 30th November. If you need some inspiration for Christmas gifting, then this is the place for you, as you'll find over 75 local designers, makers and artists selling their incredible work. You can expect stylish, contemporary items that are high-quality and super unique. From Hello DODO's bright and fun designs (pictured above) and I Like Cats bringing all things kitty, to original hand-made accessories and stunning pieces for the home & garden from Cocoon & Me, there's something for everyone on your Christmas gift list. And you get to meet the people behind the incredible makes too! Saturday 30th November, 10.00am to 5.00pm; free entry Clarendon Centre, 47 New England St, Brighton BN1 4GQ etsy.com Ethical jewellery festive pop-up Need some added sparkle to go under the tree? Well, if you're a fan of gold and gemstone collections and you've been saving to gift yourself something special, then get yourself down to the Sorrel Bay festive pop up on Hanningtons Lane from 5th to 7th December. The ethical Brighton based jewellery brand will be bringing their timeless luxury contemporary jewellery to a retail space that will have your coo-ing in no time. Each piece is one-of-a-kind or part of a limited edition, so they don't come cheap, but they are each made by hand (and bloody beautiful!) so worth every penny if you're into a bit of lux. Try and make it down there for a bit of late-night shopping on their opening night of 5th December as they'll be serving up some fizz too. Thursday 5th to Sunday 8th December, 10.00am - 5.00pm every day, opening until 9.00pm on Thursday 5th Hanningtons Lane, Brighton, BN1 1GS sorrelbay.com Late night in the North Laine As the tradition goes, North Laine Independents are back this year with another late night shopping event on Thursday 5th December. Dust off your bags for life and get that shopping list at the ready, because you're guaranteed to get a lot of your gifting sorted. From Sydney Street to Bond Street (and all the little ones in between!), it's your chance to support local independents and get some unique and eco-friendly gifts this year. If you're out and about, make sure you head to Artrepublic where you can screen-print your own Christmas cards too. If you haven't seen Present in the Laine's festive window scenes then we'd recommend popping by. They'll be offering 10% off with a free gift with purchases on the night and keeping you topped up with fizz while you shop. Make sure you get time to shimmy your way to Kemptown too, as their late-night shopping, workshops and ace community festive spirit will be welcoming you from 5.00pm - 8.30pm too! Thursday 5th December, 5.30pm - 8.30pm Christmas shopping in Lewes It's all happening this week in Brighton, Hove and Sussex, with Friday 6th December seeing Lewes Artists & Makers take over Lewes Town Hall for their preview evening ahead of the all-day fair on Saturday 6th. If you want to shop local and support the small businesses with your festive funds, then this is a great way to do it, as the town will become home to over 80 professional artists and designer-makers. If you're not based in Lewes, then pop on the train or bus and you'll be there in minutes. Expect to see goodies from the likes of Seven Sisters Spices, Hannah Forward and Hoity Toity to name just a few. Check our friends Caccia & Tails out for lunch over on Station Street, where you'll be able to pick up something delicious. The Lewes Late Night shopping night is happening on Thursday 5th December, too. Friday 6th December 6.30pm - 8.30pm; Saturday 7th December 10.00am - 5.00pm Lewes Town Hall, High Street, Lewes BN7 2QS Zero Waste Christmas market Sound the Zero Waste Klaxon (if there is one?) because The Old Market will be home to Brighton & Hove's first Zero Waste Christmas Market on Sunday 15th December. With over 30 unique zero-waste brands from the south bringing incredible gifts, cards, wrapping paper and more to the space, you'll be able to get your festive shopping finished knowing that you've been kind to the planet while you're at it. There will be festive workshops, glitter face painting and mulled wine, so why wouldn't you? They will be celebrating zero plastic packaging, zero waste, ethical and fair trade brands, as well as any profits from the event, used to reforest our beautiful countryside. We'll see you there! Sunday 15th December, sessions at 11.00am, 1.00pm and 3.00pm, open 11.00am to 6.00pm; entry £5 The Old Market. 11a Upper Market Street, BN3 1AS Brighton eventbrite.co.uk Photo credits: Hello DoDo, Zero Waste Goods, Peter Cripps (Lewes)

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