by MATTHEW WOODLEY

It’s a win-win-win-win situation. Buying gifts from local talent promotes ethical buying, supports independent artists, bestows warmth upon your friends and family with truly original products and makes you look like you dug deep inside your heart to give them the perfect something. Which you can—here’s how:

I Love the Sweatshop is a new event devoted to reminding us all of the ugly conditions found in many an overseas garment factory by creating what the organizers call an “ideal sweatshop environment.” The day begins with a sale of clothing and jewellery from mostly local designers (5–10 p.m.). At 10 p.m., an uplifting ethical documentary screening kicks off the party, which lasts until 3 a.m. Expect custom sewing, silkscreening and airbrushing, and an artsy installation where visitors can see the step-by-step construction of products. Dec. 2, at Club Lambi (4465 St-Laurent).

Devoted patrons of the Rusty Plum Gift Sale will be sad to know that the annual church basement bonanza is a no-go, then very relieved to find out that a few of the organizers have picked up the ball to throw together Les Petits Pains Chauds. Besides hot bread, there will be clothes, posters, jewellery, toys, soap and tons more at the Playwrights Workshop (4324 St-Laurent, corner Marie-Anne) Dec. 16–17, from noon–8 p.m.

The people behind the Roy Street Arts and Crap Market promise to have goods from a range of the best to the worst artists in Montreal in an extension of the Kopshop Gallery (111 Roy E.), Thursday–Saturday for three weeks in a row between Dec. 7–23 (Thurs–Fri 3–9 p.m.; Sat noon–6 p.m.).

Souk@sat revives its annual market at the Societé des Arts et Technologies (1195 St-Laurent) Dec. 8–10, Fri–Sat noon–9 p.m.; Sun noon–5 p.m., with a flurry of giftworthies and a bar to keep the blood warm.

You’ll find neither Elmo nor Butterscotch Pony at Madame Edgar (6370 St-Hubert), but, rather, toys made by local weirdos that could outcute ’em all.

The Usine 106U X-Mas Exhibition has a truly original selection of small- to medium-sized artworks—paintings, drawings, etchings, sculptures and cut-outs—from 13 artists, at small to medium prices. The show runs Dec. 1–31, with a vernissage on Dec. 14, 5–11 p.m. (112 Mont-Royal E., 2nd floor).

Meanwhile, the Marché Montreal (24 des Pins E.) is hosting a shopping party on Dec. 16, from noon–7 p.m., which will be similar to their usual operation, showcasing independent designers, except with wine and an even more festive atmosphere.

And, of course, there’s always the big daddy of craft fairs, the Salon des métiers d’art, filling Place Bonaventure with accessories of all kinds by makers from across the country, Dec. 2–21 Mon–Sat 11 a.m.–9 p.m.; Sun (and Dec. 21) 11 a.m.–6 p.m.