The Hovse 2015: Christmas Calling, and better than ever

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas, everywhere you go! The wind in the air and the need for big coats further emphasize the fact that the holidays are indeed upon us. This means that the days are being counted down to vacations or trips to various destinations with our families.

Last year I discovered The Hovse, the pop-up Christmas market from Better Pop-Ups located in a vacant mansion mere minutes from my apartment in Chamberí.

After making weekly pilgrimages to the house throughout most of the holiday season, I managed to touch down in New York with amazing original Chrismukkah presents for the family, my ride-or-dies, and for myself as well (spread out for Hanukkah, Christmas, and one to open for Reyes just so I don’t feel left out while jet-lagged on January 6th). I went on my first scouting mission of many to The Hovse of the year, and here’s my report back:

In what looks just like any typical Chamberí mansion, you walk into this three-story house and are transported into a spacious holiday area with lots of different vendors, greeted by holiday lights and papers reminiscent of snow. Many of last year’s vendors are back for another round (including Helena Rohner, Ouibyou, Mr. Boho, and our beloved Mr. Wonderful), but there are lots of newbies as well.

   The Hovse Madrid

You’ll also find Mercado de Motores‘ mainstays La Mantika in case you need to get a blanket for your apartment to deal with the cold, Katie Leamon stationery, and lots of leather goods in case you want a perfect Made in Spain leather bag, pouch, or wallet. And below is a photo of handmade jewellery by Helena Rohner, a Madrid-based jeweller whose store in La Latina I wrote about in a previous post.

There are even some really cool aprons (I think I may have just given a spoiler alert about somebody’s present, but sorry not sorry)

As always, The Hovse has dining spaces where hip eateries set up shop and you get the benefit of trying eats from these places without having to fight with all of Madrid to grab a table. Two of this year’s players are in Salesas, aka the area behind Calle de Génova and the Plaza de Santa Bárbara in between Alonso Martínez and Chueca that’s becoming Madrid’s Soho: Olivia Te Cuida, known for it’s healthy offerings (as the restaurant’s name implies), and MEAT, acclaimed and written about all over town for its burgers (MEAT’s space is up on the terrace).

If juicing or health food is more your style, you’ll also find a temporary outpost of Fit Food – where you can try a big selection of the juices on offer (and perhaps tempt you to try a Detox treatment in January so you can fit into clothes you buy during rebajas).

This year’s Premio Nacional de Moda winner, Sybilla, has taken over the entire top floor of The Hovse with a temporary atelier. You’re transported deep inside her world, with samples of all of her different cuts with colors. The clothes look absolutely dreamy, as well as the collaboration with a French accessories label.

The team at the Atelier will take your measurements and you can get something custom-made. Talk about something TRULY made just for you!

So run over to The Hovse and get the coolest Madrid holiday gifts for everyone on your list –from family, friends, ride-or-dies, and anyone else who you may find special.