Christmas shopping in Covent Garden: a stallholder's guide

December in Covent Garden is something else. The Piazza is dressed up, the market halls are packed, and half of London is looking for a present that isn't from a chain store. I'm there every Saturday and Sunday at my stall in Jubilee Market Hall, so here's my insider's guide to doing Christmas shopping here without losing your mind.

Where to start: the two market halls

Jubilee Market Hall

The covered hall on the south side of the Piazza, at 1 Tavistock Street, WC2E 8BD. At the weekend it's arts and crafts, with artists selling their own work. That's where you'll find me, with a wall of hand-painted slogans and a pile of very giftable things.

The Apple Market

Inside the main Market Building under the glass roof, with makers and crafts stalls. Good for small handmade gifts.

My full guide to the halls is here: the Covent Garden art market.

What to buy at my stall for Christmas

• For the friend with a filthy sense of humour: Please Don't Do Cocaine in the Bathroom, or anything from the vulgar range. Prints are £20.
• For the fashion lover: a This Is Not a Louis Vuitton (or Chanel, Hermes, Gucci) tote at £25.
• For the one who's always cold: a Don't Rush Me or There Is No Plan sweatshirt at £39.
• For stockings: notebooks at £12.
• For someone special: a hand-painted original, from £55, one of a kind.

The great thing about buying at the stall is you see the real colours, you meet the artist, and you walk away with it. No waiting for delivery, no worrying about the post.

When to go

1. Saturday or Sunday morning. Before 11am is the calm window. After 2pm in December, the Piazza is a festival.
2. Earlier in December is easier. The last two weekends before Christmas are the busiest of the year.
3. Rainy day? Both market halls are covered. Christmas shopping in the dry, in central London, is a minor miracle.

Getting there

• Covent Garden station (Piccadilly line) is a few minutes' walk, but it uses lifts and can queue at busy times.
• Leicester Square (Northern and Piccadilly) and Holborn (Central and Piccadilly) are close and often quicker.
• From Charing Cross, it's a short walk up through the side streets.
• Search "Luis Alvarez Art" in Google Maps, or see the map on my visit page.

Christmas gifts by budget at the market

• Under £15: notebooks and small handmade bits from the craft stalls.
• Under £25: art prints at £20, tote bags and hand-painted antique images at £25.
• Under £50: sweatshirts at £39, or two prints for a pair on someone's wall.
• Something special: a one of a kind original, from £55, or a commission in their own words. Commissions need time, so ask early.

Short on time? Click and collect

Order online at luisalvarezarts.com, choose collect from the stall at checkout, and pick it up on a Saturday or Sunday. Your present is waiting, and you skip the browsing. Or have it delivered: UK delivery is £1.75 a print and free over £80.

Apparel, totes and notebooks are made to order and take 7 to 10 days, so order those early in December if you want them posted.

Make a day of it

Covent Garden at Christmas is made for a full day: the decorations in the Piazza, the shops around Seven Dials and Neal's Yard, the London Transport Museum shop for poster prints, and a show in Theatreland to finish. My Covent Garden shopping guide has a route that covers it all without doubling back.

Tips for Christmas shopping in central London

• Carry a big bag. Or buy one of my totes and use it straight away.
• Keep prints flat. Ask for a stiff bag or card so nothing creases on the Tube.
• Ask about wrapping. I wrap by hand on request.
• Check before you travel. If you want a specific piece, WhatsApp me and I'll tell you if it's on the stall.
• Eat early. Lunch queues in December start at noon.

Covent Garden Christmas shopping questions