Christmas it’s coming: it’s a fact. It’s impressive how fast time goes when you have smalls kids: it’s all about routine, and school, and going to the park every day after school, and organizing weekends full of nice activities.

And then it’s almost Advent time and I still have to figure out what to do as an Advent calendar: last year I did prepare the calendar the night before, with most of the packages empty, and worked every evening till Christmas to create the actual present to put inside, pages and pieces for a nice quiet book. Last year we also got the Christmas wreath with candles at the AdventBazar in Campo De Ourique.

But this year I will rather choose to buy something as 24 little presents are quite a number to create: and what’s better than to explore some of this nice season markets around Lisbon, to get some inspiration and maybe buy little handmade toys or postcards to put in the presents.

Christmas Markets and activities

The Mercado de Natal in Campo Pequeno is very promising: 140 vendors, local makers, good food, and this year the Christmas Market will feature a program of free activities “The Market Workshops”, for kids and adults! Join Ovelha Mãe, André Semblano, Mazurca handmade e YogurtNest and come and make Christmas desserts, a miniature nativity scene in ceramics, learn stamping techniques with handmade stamps, and traditional weaving techniques.

The Mercado, together with other spots around town, will be pickup point for the amazing initiative Pinheiro Bombeiro, the best option if you wanna have a real pine tree as Christmas Tree but at the same time help forest management: you can book the tree here together with wooden stylish decoration and pick up at the market or get it at your door with shipping option.

Marques de Pombal

In the Parque Eduardo VII, together with the usual nice playground and the amazing cover botanical garden Estufa Fria, both on the left side of the park, you will be able to find not one but two big Christmas events.

A picture of stylista market this summer

The Stylista Winter Market will be inside the Pavilão Lopez, the stunning old yellow building on the right of the park: a lot of nice brand for baby, kids, teens, women, men and Home Decor.

Some names: Amikko, FLUYT, Brigadeirando Berlot Lemon Hair Lovers, Maria Do Mar Shop,  Shanta Baby, ZPaint, MARIA GORDA, Maria Descalça – atelier de tecelagem artesanal, Wearable, Inês Telles Jewelry,  Pop the Bubble store.

Lidl will set up a cool kids corner with a lot of wooden toys and food for the smallest.  This market will also be pick up point for Pinheiro Bombeiros initiative.
Sounds like fun guaranteed and I plan to go there on Sunday at lunch.

In the same very park will be the inauguration of Wonderland Christmas in Lisbon, the biggest and longest Christmas fair in Lisbon: a big panoramic wheel, Carousel for every taste, ice skating rink, food stalls and Santa  🎅 of course.

Beat the crowd suggestions: avoid weekends late afternoon/evening, especially getting closer to Christmas. There can be huge queues both at the panoramic wheel and at the ice skate ring: if you want to have a chance: go there without the stroller, as there will be no place to leave it and it’s not accepted on the wheel.

If you want to have a nice and relax brunch and wanna treat yourself and your family, book a table at Epic Sanaa Weekend brunch: 35€ per adult and 50% off for kids 6-12 years old, but amazing activities to keep kids entertained and you can always book an hour massage at the spa while your partner take care that kids do not get lost or eat too much.

Estrela

Picture from the craft and design market this summer

If you are a mom or mom to be or just became one, join me and my friends for a nice workout with Mom in Balance at Jardim da Estrela: we’ll have a MPower training at 9.00 (Discount code for a trial is MOMPRF)but there is also Pregnancy and Back in shape training at 10.00 and another MPower at 11.00. You can sign up for a trial here.

After the training, we take a look at the Craft and Design Winter Edition Market, the first day of the first weekend of  3 weekends to come; nice local makers, and many cool brands. You can also stop by at Dede’s, if you live in Lapa and have an amazing Breakfast Risotto or Okonomiyaki Japanese pancake in the most relaxed cafe ever. You can actually enjoy the vibe of this cafe on Friday night for their very first Supper Club event, 25€ for 4 dishes (info and booking in the event page)

I’ll be running errands all day as I am launching a Give away on my Instagram account Meyouande with some Makers moms from Lisbon and in the afternoon I will host, together with my family, the first Sofa Family Concert in our apartment with a view, that was sold out in less than one week; the first of many to come so don’t worry.

On Sunday you will probably find me at the early morning at Bazar Second Hand at Cossoul center, with some of Elio old toys and clothes: the bazar is open for both sellers and buyer, to enhance the important and so-called circular economy.

Cascais and Linea

This weekend Cascais is worthed a visit on Sunday to check the Mercado de Natal where Santa 🎅 will be passing at 15.00 and the stylish Homi Pop up Xmas Edition from the interior decor blog Homi.pt : design and Christmas decorations shopping has never been so cool.

House of Wonders terrace November 2016

For lunch, I can suggest the incredible Cafe Galeria House of Wonders with an amazing terrace overlooking the city.

On the way to Cascais, be sure to check the many workshops happening at A República das Mamãs in Parede or at Pillow Party in Oeiras.

SUL

For this weekend I’ve been exploring events also in the Margem Sul and a lot is going on there especially in this special festive time of the year.

Casa Capaz is having a nice Christmas concert for babies and children with a vast repertoire of Christmas music, classical Italian and Portuguese music and a lot of interaction for the kids.

This weekend there is also the Natal ao Almada Forum, this weekend with Aura concert, kids concerts the Floresta Magica, Santa’s throne  🎅 and a lot of different activities that will amaze little ones and grown-ups.

You find the comprehensive list on my Lisbon with the kids’ agenda.

Why buying when you can learn and do your own presents?

The wreath I created at Frolic workshop

If this here you don’t feel like buying presents, here is my suggestion: use that money to learn how to realize presents and nice artifacts yourselves.

Do you want some suggestion?

Artlier is organizing Macrame, Kokedama, and many more workshop in the coming weeks: the atelier is located in Campo De Ourique and they also sell supplies.

Fi.ca, that this weekend is turning 2 years old, has always different classes all year round and next week there is a new batch of Flash workshops perfect for beginners.

Skills Gorilla also offers a wide range of interesting workshops; this weekend Ceramic Christmas tree decorations and a cooking class of typical Portuguese Christmas dishes.

Me, you and Lisbon goes International

If you are traveling around Europe or you live abroad, here is my little selection of a few interesting Christmas related events around Europe

London (UK),  Shop Up by Babyccino at Chelsea 2-3 December 2018
Many cool brands were selected by Babyccino.

Copenhagen (DK), Flid Marked at Nørrebrohallen 1-2 December 2018
Many different nordic brands are available for festive shopping and gift.

Milan (IT), WunderMarket at Bagni Misteriosi 2 December 2018
A newly renovated building is the scenography for this nice Christmas market in Milan.

Have an amazing weekend and get ready for Christmas time!