La Virginia Christmas Market

If you go to only one Christmas fair this season, La Virginia Christmas market is the one! Held on Sunday 14th December, it is located in the picturesque community of La Virginia and boasting a wonderful selection of artisan and craft stalls, as well as a great variety of delicious food and drink stands, this charming Christmas bazaar is a delightful way to spend a festive Sunday afternoon in Marbella.

The brightly coloured stalls, scattered with handmade goods, yummy treats and pretty bits and bobs, are lined up and down the narrow cobbled streets of the urbanisation, where the tiny lanes and courtyards are packed with people. Eager shoppers and visitors meander through the higgledy-piggledy alleyways of the village-like urbanisation, sipping mulled wine or glühwein from cups and munching on mince pies and homemade gingerbread men whilst perusing the pretty wares displayed.

Find scented candles, handmade soaps, lavender cushions and all kinds of pretty, flowery gifts alongside wooden toys, vintage clothing and jewellery. Local artists are keen to display their photography, paintings, sculptures and pottery, and this is a fantastic opportunity to acquire some superb one-off pieces of art, collectors items or vintage treasures and curiosities.

Each year there are different additions to the fair, with exciting new stalls bringing variety and diversity to the tranquil cobbled streets of La Virginia. Last year’s Argentinean stand was a tremendous hit, boasting a fabulous selection of multicoloured Aztec-style bags and clothing, as well as traditional Argentinean meat empanadas (pies) and mouth-watering dulce de leche pastries.

For children there are a number of lively stalls with handcrafted toys, wooden letters for bedroom doors, flamboyant painted bookends for libraries and handmade puppets and dolls, as well as beautifully embroidered baby clothes.

For lovers of anything sparkly, the fair is a marvellous spot to pick up some handcrafted jewellery; with bespoke pieces on display and a number of designers exhibiting their pretty collections. From South American silver and turquoise pieces, boho beaded and feather collections to precious stone and fine metals, there is no shortage of exceptional gifts, so you can find your loved one that something extra special.

La Virginia, with its charming Andalusian houses, wooden shutters, wrought iron balconies, tumbling bougainvillea and delightful courtyards, is the ideal setting for this lovely festive family fair - and with its pretty little church sitting at the top of the village, no visit is complete without lighting a candle and making a Christmas wish upon leaving, as the sun begins to set on this charming community.

Pia Arrieta, 12 Dec 2014 - Lifestyle - Property