If you are looking for a break this Christmas season from overcrowded department stores and big-box retailers, opt for a more homegrown alternative by shopping at a local holiday gift market. Not only do seasonal markets offer unique, one-a-kind gifts you won’t find at the mall, they also give North Texans the chance to support their community by purchasing goods directly from local artisans, small business owners and even high school organizations. Here are some holiday gift markets in Dallas-Fort Worth to check out: Texas Christkindl Market Lane (Nov.

• Sunshine Fund Of Dfw For Mac

Mizzen+Main Holiday Shopping Bazaar (Dec. 1-Dec.3) Mizzen+Main transforms its Fort Worth pop-up in The Shops at Clearfork into a multi-brand holiday bazaar.

The weekend-long shopping event will feature brands like Mizzen+Main, Fulton & Roark, LAW Designs, Hari Mari, Rebel With Cause, JL the Brand, and Alps & Meters. Friday; 10-8 p.m. Saturday; 12-6 p.m. 5231 Monahans Ave., Fort Worth. The Clearfork Holiday Market (Dec. 5) Stop by The Heart of the Ranch at Clearfork for the second annual The Clearfork Holiday Market. The family-friendly outdoor event features over 30 local vendors, plus live reindeer, hay rides and an appearance by Santa Claus.

5:30-8:30 p.m. 5000 Cleafork Main St., Fort Worth,. Cowtown Indie Bazaar (Dec.

North Texas M.A.D.E., Inc. Invites you to check out its annual Cowtown Indie Bazaar at the Amon G. Exhibit Hall. The family-friendly event boasts over 75 handmade vendors, as well as a cash bar, photo booth, pictures with Santa, a floral arranging class and more. 11 a.m.-5 p.m. At the door: $5.

(Children 12 and under are free). 3400 Burnett Tandy Drive, Fort Worth,. Heritage Church of Christ Craft Show (Dec. 9) The sixth annual Heritage Church Craft Show features over 70 vendors selling baked goods, crafts, art, jewelry and more.

Free door prizes will be given away every 30 minutes. 9 a.m.-4 p.m. 4201 Heritage Trace Parkway, Fort Worth,. Bishop Lynch Brigade Christmas Bazaar (Dec. 9) The Bishop Lynch High School Brigade in Dallas hosts its annual Christmas Bazaar, featuring crafts, clothing, jewelry, cosmetics, knitwear, baked goods and more.

Sunshine Fund Of Dfw For Mac

9 a.m.-4 p.m. 9750 Ferguson Road, Dallas. Happy Holidays Pop-Up Market (Dec. 9-23) 817 Arts Alliance presents its annual Happy Holidays Pop-Up Market at The Sleep Cottage in Arlington. The monthlong event features local artisans selling unique creations ranging from ceramics to knitwear. 11 a.m.-5 p.m.

Monday-Thursday; 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Thursday and Friday; noon-6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Front St., #150, Arlington.

Holiday markets that have already happened: Shop Small Fort Worth Holiday Market (Nov. 11-12) The Shop Small Fort Worth Holiday Market is back for another year of holiday fun. This year’s event takes place at The 4 Eleven and features curated items from local artists, craftsman and small businesses, plus a cash bar, food trucks and music. $10 (children 12 and under are free). 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday; 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Main St., Fort Worth,.

Central Lightning Dancers Craft Show (Nov. 11-12) The Central High School Lightning Dancers invite you to attend their 15th annual craft show, which includes over 200 vendors selling items ranging from clothing and holiday decor to food and sports memorabilia. The event also will feature pictures with Santa, plus a craft and play area for children. 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

Saturday; 11 a.m.-5 p.m. 9450 Ray White Road, Keller,. The Boho Market (Nov. 11-12) The annual two-day holiday event takes place at the Dallas Farmers Market and features over 80 local vendors, crafts, games and live music. 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

Hardwood, Dallas,. Waxahachie High School Pre-Christmas Craft Fair (Nov. 18) Don’t forget to stop by Waxahachie High School’s Pre-Christmas Craft Fair for some holiday shopping.

Proceeds from the annual event go to the school’s Student in Need/Sunshine Fund. 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Highway 77, Waxahachie,. Funky Finds Holiday Shopping Experience (Nov.

18-19) The annual Funky Finds Holiday Shopping Experience takes place at Will Rogers Memorial Center in Fort Worth, with over 100 vendors selling a wide variety of handcrafted items. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday; 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Lancaster Ave., Fort Worth,.

Brian Honea's writing and editing career spans nearly two decades across many forms of media. He served as sports editor for two suburban newspaper chains in the DFW area and has freelanced for such publications as the Yahoo! Contributor Network, Dallas Home Improvement magazine, and the Dallas Morning News.

He has written four non-fiction sports books, the latest of which, The Life of Coach Chuck Curtis, was published by the TCU Press in December 2014. A lifelong Texan, Brian received his master's degree from Amberton University in Garland.