It’s December 20th and I know the Sunday Post or the Sunday NYT isn’t going to read itself, although – real talk– you’ll probably end up looking up some sort of answers from today’s NYT crossword puzzle online and you may even “check” with a couple of friends; but when people ask you if you do it all by yourself you will say that you totally do AND you solve it in pen, like a badass.
Anyway, I’m willing to bet you still have a few presents to knock out of the way, crossword or no. This is why I am kindly suggesting you go to the Sunday Flea Market at Eastern Market right now.
The old set-up at the Hine parking lot. Don’t worry– all your faves are still lining up.
Look, you can grab yourself a cup of coffee and go (you can even buy a cup there). All the vendors are there. True, they are no longer set up at the Hine parking lot. The Hine parking lot is currently a very large hole in the ground, with construction equipment and portables. The kids will love it: you can have them stare at it while you wander up and down 7th Street SE and make your purchases. Note that I am not advocating child neglect: a suffering spouse or friend (maybe the friend who gave you the answers to today’s crossword) can stand guard while you frantically run up and down the street. Give it a go.
Hine School, or what was left of it during demolition in June. Photo by Maria Helena Carey
There is pretty much something to cover your bases several times over: furniture, pottery, clothing, jewelry, vintage maps and posters, mirrors, and delicious nuts. Nuts used to be a very prized present, so don’t give me that weird look like I just suggested you give someone nuts and that’s rude. The nuts are warm and delicious and glazed and now I’ve gone and focused way too much on them and need some pecans right now. Thanks a lot, readers.
Polish pottery makes a nice gift, you know? You can also put stuff in it, like nuts. Photo by María Helena Carey
There are also the usual food vendors. While we are on the subject of presents that used to be very appreciated but are now extremely lame, oranges used to be a highly treasured present. Kids would actually get excited when receiving some sort of orange or tangerine or citrus of some sort because they understood someone loved them and wanted them to get enough Vitamin C and possibly prevent scurvy. Try giving your kid an orange instead of a new videogame now and they’ll be SO MAD they won’t even look up from their phone as they ridicule you by text with all their friends via Snapchat or possibly Periscope.
Trees galore! Photo by Maria Helena Carey
And by the way, if you haven’t gotten a holiday tree or wreath, they still have plenty right outside Eastern Market. No excuses: feel the holiday spirit and get something because it’s writ upon the stars that you will spend the shortest days of the year acquiring presents and wearing ugly sweaters.
Go forth, then, my minions! Shop local and get thee to the market.