Get dreaming ‘bout a weird Christmas

Weirdos Holiday Market, Dec. 16 + 17, caters to shoppers who treasure unconventional gift-giving

Surprise and delight your nearest and dearest this holiday season with items that were absolutely not on their list — because they never even knew they existed. The inaugural Weirdos Holiday Market takes place at Betamax Art Studios, 2244 East Hastings St., on December 16 and 17.

Why settle for giving the boring usual, and receiving the polite response du jour? Instead, you could be offering up an item from Alt Beauty Hair Adornments, edgy hand-crafted accessories with a goth twist; Dirt Spindle, usable but unusual pottery pieces that have been fused into the shape of human mouths, nipples, feet and hands; or Mush Appreciated, beautiful, educational and strange jewellery with mushrooms as the main focus.

Presented by the folks who select the oddities and trinkets at local curio shop, This Monkey’s Gone to Heaven, the Weirdos Holiday Market will showcase an eclectic array of unconventional gift ideas, from the delightfully quirky to the downright macabre.

“Vancouver is brimming with artsy, amazing people of every age, who truly appreciate the thought that goes into something wacky that hits their funny bone, strikes them as exquisite or excites their imagination,” says Rachel Zottenberg, the owner of This Monkey‘s Gone to Heaven. “Weirdos Holiday Market is the place for one-of-a-kind, out-of-this-world gifts. Our mission is to help you find the best ones to win at holidaying this year.”

Here’s where you’ll find hand-made piñatas of unusual items, such as unicorns and cacti, by local piñata-maker Meaghan Kennedy of Your Piñata; photography, sculpture, jewellery and prints that ponder the cycles of life, death and rebirth by Amanda Bullick of Brutally Beautiful; highly sought-after bleak, cynical and hilarious prints and t-shirts from one of Vancouver’s most famous weirdos, Jaik Puppyteeth; along with a number of goodies from This Monkey’s Gone to Heaven, including mounted insects, out-of-the-ordinary holiday greeting cards, smudge sticks, out-of-print alternative books, and more!

As they drift from one delight to another, shoppers can enjoy a tarot card reading by Erin Karl, tasty tamales topped with fermented vegetables from the popular secret pop-up restaurant, HandTaste Ferments, and opt to take off the chill via hot chocolate or a drink from the bar.

“Weirdos Holiday Market will offer tons of adventurous gift ideas for thoughtful givers. I’m thrilled to have all these amazing artisans together in one space,” says Zottenberg. “Hang on to your toques — things are gonna get weird!”

Saturday, December 16th + Sunday, December 17th
11am – 7pm
Betamax Art Studios: 2244 East Hastings St.
Admission at the door: $2 per person

For more information, please visit: thismonkey.ca/betamax-weirdos-holiday-market/