Departmental stores, shopping malls and boutiques are great places to shop, but you wouldn't want to be caught dead in the heat of the rush, especially if you're shopping at the eleventh hour. Why not avoid the crowd and head over to these few Christmas markets? Besides, you'll be able to find unconventional handmade items and epicurean delicacies that work great as gifts.

Makers Market Singapore

Here's a market you might want to check out if you are looking to indulge in desserts while you shop for cute artisanal goodies and accessories by local start-ups. Food wise, expect to see Ovensecrets treat you to their delicious macarons, Sherramelts’ mini Christmas domes, Straw x Coffee’s flavored coffee and other drinks (they're served in a saline bag) and others. There's also the cute woven rabbit pins by Stab x Step, and other handicrafts like handmade shoes, tote bags, coasters and more. Dec 9-11

Public Garden Christmas 2016

If you don't feel like sticking to local artisanal products, head to this market as they'll be returning this year with more local and international artisanal products, ranging from home decors and accessories to apparel. Expect cutesy Pokemon pins made by Dawn Owlette, comfy shoes by Malaysian designer Yoke & Theam and a few new vendors like Klungsee Samadun, who'll be showcasing (and selling, of courese) a range of bohemian-style jewelry. Dec 10-11 & 17-18

The Handy-Craft Market

Soak in the Christmas vibes (or not)  at the Handy-Craft Market, whose name is obvious enough to know whay they're selling. It's all about handmade crafts, home decor and lifestyle accessories, with names like Faux Fayc selling their cosmetics; Hey Izzy and their innovative shelves made usinlg old guitar bodies, and more. You'll also be privy to Word Bistro's highly-Instagrammable rainbow bagels and O' Raindrop Cakes' transparent rain drop cake and others. You can even get your hands dirty at workshops where you'll learn how to make your own terrarium at home and other fun stuff. Throughout the day, be accompanied by music performances by busker-turned-star Ken Loh and other open mic performances. Dec 10-11

Christmas Market at the Hive

Never been to a co-working space before? Well, now you have a reason to. The Hive, which is home to one of Asia's most diverse co-working community, is throwing their very own Christmas Market on the same day of their Open Air Cinema Club screening of The Grinch. Taking place from 6pm-10pm, vendors like Charly will be on-site selling their own version of luxe home decor while other labels like Mak Jak and Morning June will showcase their range of handmade apparel and fashion accessories. Dec 16

We The People Pop Up

You know how you back those Kickstarter projects and then have to wait quite a while before you actually receive the very product you've "invested" in? Yeah well, just a couple of months ago, Asia's first Kickstarter brick-and-mortar store, named We The People, opened up in Orchard Road. Now they're extending their reach further with a Christmas pop-up store at Millenia Walk to turn Kickstarter non-believers into backers, and of course, to bring you Kickstarter-funded products that'll work great as gifts (yay last minute shopping miracle). Also on site are some hand-made designer goods from Korea, thanks to Soozip. Dec 19-25

Festive Market at Christmas Wonderland

If you've not scheduled a date to head down to Christmas Wonderland at Gardens By The Bay, you should, especially since they've expanded their fairground this year. Apart from the Italian luminarie and other fun activities, there's also the market to look forward to. The vendors will be selling their hand-crafted, custom-made things within cute little traditional wooden huts imported from the UK. Get your hands on handmade miniature gifts from Blue Stone Craft Gifts and Toys, trinkets from Curious Creatures, natural soy candles from Sally's Room and lots more. Through Jan 1