Today’s columnist, Mike Thorpe: A rummager’s paradise

It is an ordeal that crushes your festive spirit, and while we should relish the opportunity to buy our loved ones a gift, the whole experience for many has just become irritating.

But there is another way. A couple of miles from the city centre is the Sheffield Antiques Quarter, described on Trip Advisor as a “rummager’s paradise”.

This bright, bustling part of the city spread over Queens, Broadfield and Abbeydale Roads brings the spirit of community to the festive period.

The area has many independent and local shops and makes Christmas shopping a pleasure as you search for the perfect gift.

The Antiques Quarter is dedicated to providing exclusive, affordable vintage and retro products, ranging from collectables and authentic antiques, to upcycled crafts and vintage clothing.

Among the 200 sellers and 50 independent shops you can find enthusiasm, passion and specialist knowledge.

Stocking handmade interior products, Honeysuckle at Home, Strip the Willow, Room, Dronfield Antiques and Rustic Roses all offer a wide range of vintage furniture, glassware and collectibles – one-of-a-kind items sourced from locally reclaimed materials of the highest quality.

Frankly My Deer showcases more than 50 artists, bringing the finest in unique folk art, handmade jewellery, cards and homeware.

New to the quarter is Makers, which provide a variety of workshops in traditional crafts, painting, drawings, as well as high-tech digital design.

The Antique Quarter is also a great place to hunt down festive food.

Try Broadfield Ale House, The Little Shop of Chocs and Jamesons Café & Tea Rooms or Mr Pickles’ Yorkshire Food Emporium, which sells produce from the finest farms in the county.

Forge Bakehouse and Filthy Gorgeous specialise in the finest artisan pastries and breads.

Following on from the successes of vintage markets at the Abbeydale Picture House this Sunday it’s the turn of the Antiques Quarter Vintage Christmas market.

This event will be a great place to get prepared for the festive period and is a fantastic opportunity to buy a wide range of vintage and retro items, as well as enjoy a vast selection of artisan foods.

A fantastic line-up of local musicians, a vintage Santa’s grotto and toy exhibition, mean this will be a great way to shop locally and affordably as well as get your fill of Christmas spirit.

More information regarding Sheffield’s Antique Quarter as well as its upcoming events can be found at sheffieldantiquesquarter.co.uk