STOCKING THE STOCKINGS: Of all the various shopping-themed days that showed up around Thanksgiving, few captured hearts in the way that Small Business Saturday did. Proponents of the "buy local" day would rightly argue that every day of the year can be Small Business Saturday -- they'd be right -- and there are a few special occasions where small businesses gather to make shopping all the more easier. And when that special occasion has a festive holiday atmosphere? We like. SJMADE is one such occasion, and the indie craft market is set to roll again on Saturday, Dec. 1, just in time for people looking to get an early-in-the-month jump on stocking stuffing.
SAN JOSE MADE: The vendor list of this mega unique items confab is a long one: vintage purveyors Black Cat Collective is on there, as are Filthy Cute (retro aprons and such) and Erik's Wood Creations (hooray, wood!). If you need to buy for a friend who is into one-of-a-kind-iana, this is your place.
NEED TO KNOW: Admission is free -- we always want to hug those three words -- and the location is 187 N. San Pedro Street in San Jose. It's a pretty convivial scene, and guaranteed to put you in a seasonal frame of mind whether you buy a funky pair of earrings or not. But you probably will, right? Shopping local helps everyone.
