7 Philly ways to shop for the holidays

Christmas music has been the sound track in stores since we were still full from Thanksgiving. The tunes are a festive reminder there is still a lot left to check off on your holiday shopping list.

Luckily, festive craft markets and holiday pop-ups are in full swing, making it easy to find the perfect, locally made gift.

Shop like the Germans do at Christmas Village, the quintessential Philadelphia holiday pop-up, which sets up shop just outside of City Hall, transforming LOVE Park into a Bavarian-style market. Here, you'll find 60 wooden booths occupied by vendors selling everything from handmade hats to Nicaraguan pottery to natural pet treats.

And, of course, there's plenty of comforting German food to fill you up as you peruse, such as bratwurst and lebkuchen (gingerbread), along with other warm treats, including waffles, mulled wine from Chaddsford Winery, and more.

Before you leave, be sure to leave behind a little crafted gift of your own. This weekend, Make-A-Wish Foundation of Philadelphia and Susquehanna Valley will be on-site to raise money for children diagnosed with life-threatening medical conditions. Purchase a paper heart for $1 at the information booth, and decorate it with a drawing or a special written wish.

Through Dec. 27, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sundays through Thursdays; 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., Fridays through Saturdays, JFK Plaza (LOVE Park), 1500 Arch St., www.philachristmas.com.

Shopping for a coworker? A recent study from the University of Exeter showed that adding plants to a workplace setting can increase well-being and also boost productivity levels as much as 15 percent. Plants also create some serious desk swag.

So, the Greensgrow Holiday Bazaar is the spot to be. The Kensington urban farm and nursery welcomes a variety of art and craft vendors Saturday and Sunday. You'll also be able to easily snag a variety of green gifts, including rosemary bushes, dwarf Alberta spruce, mini-evergreens, cyclamens, amaryllis, and Christmas cactus. For a floral touch, seek out the paperwhite bulbs.

Bonus: Both days include a free hot chocolate bar (while supplies last) and Sunday, artist Kim Phuong will carve a penguin and a pig (an homage to beloved farm pig Milkshake?) out of a block of ice.

10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday and Sunday; 2501 E. Cumberland St., 215-427-2702, www.greensgrow.org.

For additional green-gift options, head to Linvilla Orchards. Whether you've always been pine-ing to make a personalized wreath, or give away something made from your very own green thumb, the orchard in Media is offering two workshops this weekend.

Linvilla will hold back-to-back wreath-making and build-your-own-terrarium classes Saturday morning. There is also a sizable store on-site, filled with toys, kitchen accessories, handmade soaps, and other classic gifts - just in case you decide to keep your crafted plant creations for yourself.

Linvilla will also have Christmas trees for sale. Hop on a hayride with the family, and pick out your own, or choose from one of their precut options. Friendly farm animals will wander around the premises, and the entire place will be decked out in festive decor that you can admire over a glass of hot, house-made cider.

9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday; 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday. Linvilla Orchards, 137 W. Knowlton Road, Media, 610-876-7116, www.linvilla.com

The Wayne Art Center will host a kid-friendly, holiday bake-off Saturday filled with cookies of every seasonal style. A chef will be on-site to curate the two-hour, dough-driven session and will send you home with a tin filled to the brim.

On Saturday and Sunday, the center will also feature 25 local artisans and merchants selling candles, ceramics, and more.

Bonus: If you're a parent in need of some alone time to do your shopping, the center has you covered. Two hands-on workshops will take place Saturday for kids to create ornaments, cards, and other crafts, with instructor oversight so that you can shop in peace. Head to www.wayneart.org to sign up in advance.

10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Wayne Art Center, 413 Maplewood Ave., Wayne, 610-688-3553, www.wayneart.org.

Taking place this weekend, the semiannual flea market has as many as 700 rotating vendors over three days, selling everything from clothes to art to bicycles, skateboards, and other funky flea-market apparel.

If you're looking to rack up some records, however, we suggest skipping Friday and save your shopping for Saturday and Sunday's "Philadelphia Record Riot." You'll find 60-plus record dealers unloading their stock. Expect food trucks galore and plenty of homemade baked goods to keep you rocking and rolling all afternoon.

6 to 11 p.m., Friday; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday and Sunday; Punk Rock Flea Market-Dome; 461 N. Ninth St. www.r5productions.com.

At this Phoenixville bazaar, your purchases will give back not only to the community but to local families battling cancer as well. Along with various vendors selling artisanal products, the Jingle Fest will host kid-friendly activities, including face-painting, pony-petting, a visit with Santa Claus, and assorted craft-making projects.

Proceeds from the crafts will go to Horse Power for Life, a nonprofit dedicated to helping cancer patients and survivors improve their quality of life through therapeutic horsemanship. Last year, the fest raised enough money to sponsor 20 people. Feel free to bring your pooch to this event, too. Dogs are encouraged to attend.

10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday; Greater Philadelphia Expo Center at Oaks, 100 Station Ave., Oaks, 484-754-3976 or www.phillyexpocenter.com.

Head to Collingswood for affordable works by local artists and craftsmen.

The 29 Art Within Reach participants work in different media, from glass to jewelry to wood. The goal for these artists isn't to rake in the cash, but to share their goods with the community - so all works are reasonably priced. While you peruse, the Unstoppable Hackbeats, Hotsy Totsy, and She Hates Me will provide tunes.

Hang around Friday for Collingswood's annual Parade of Lights, where local organizations trick out trucks with as many lights as possible. It begins at 7:30 p.m. at Zane Avenue and ends at Homestead Avenue (at the Collingswood post office, 970 Haddon Ave.). Or check out 2d Saturday, starting at 5 p.m., featuring mini art exhibitions and vendors all along Haddon Avenue. Even better: Parking in December is free in Collingswood.

Art Within Reach, 6 to 10 p.m. Friday, noon to 10 p.m. Saturday; The Factory, 13 Fern Ave., www.artwithinreachnj.com or facebook.com/artwithinreach.