Shop local this Christmas
It's the season of giving and, with less than 40 days to go until Saint Nick begins shimmying his way down our chimneys, it's probably about time you started your Christmas shopping.
Put that Argos catalogue down (or whatever the modern equivalent is...Amazon?) and listen up.
There’s snow place like home, so support your local this Christmas when you brave the cold in search of gifts. Here's a few of our favourite indie businesses in the North West to get you started.
Didsbury Gin Christmas gift miniatures
Buying for a gin-lover but don't know their favourite tipple? Easy. Treat your loved ones (or yourself) to a selection from Didsbury Gin instead. This three-pack of miniature gins is hand-distilled, infused with 100% natural fruit, and vegan-friendly. What's not to love?
£14.95 from www.didsburygin.com
Buddleia print by Helena Lee
Helena Lee, a photographic artist living in Manchester, celebrates the beauty and wonder of nature through her artwork. The Buddleia, known as he 'butterfly blush', is a common sight along railway lines and waste ground in the UK. Originally introduced from China in the 1890s, this beautiful specimen was found by Helena on Bridgewater Street, just off the Oxford Road Corridor.
£20 from manchestermuseumshop.com
Bee tile by The Sculpts
Us Northerners, we love a good cup of tea. So what better to put your mug of tea on than a beautiful coaster from The Sculpts? From letters with iconic Manchester buildings for a personalised touch, to the good, old fashioned worker bee, there's something to suit every Manc in your life.
£30 from manchestermuseumshop.com
Retreat candle by Old Man and Magpie
Inspired by a collection of plant specimens dating back many decades, known as the herbarium at Manchester Museum, Old Man and Magpie has created four exclusive fragrances - each with a fresh, restorative and relaxing scent. The Retreat fragrance has a citrus, fresh and floral scent with notes of Orange, Lavender and Geranium and is available in two sizes.
£18/£22 from manchestermuseumshop.com
A Tasting Tour of the Salford Rum Company
Can't decide on which rum to choose? Me neither.
Why not try all of them with this tasting set? Salford Rum's trio of miniatures offer sample sizes of the three best sellers from the local brand and, at just £2 a serve, they're the perfect stocking filler. This gift set includes Original Spiced Rum (40% ABV, 5cl), Dark Spice Rum (40% ABV, 5cl) and Honey Rum (37.5% ABV, 5cl).
£12.75 from salfordrum.com
Dinosaur and Santa Claus dog toy from The Barkside MCR
We can't be forgetting the pooches now, can we? Forget the bones and rubber chickens, you won't get more unique than a Santa Claus riding a triceratops - trust us. The House of Paws Dinosaur & Santa Claus Christmas dog toy will keep your pooch entertained for hours.
£14.99 from thebarksidemcr.co.uk
Coffee subscription boxes from Batch
Buying for a coffee fan (or just someone who spends hours by the kettle to avoid working)? Give the gift of a coffee subscription, showcasing some of the best beans from around the world, put together down the road in Cheshire. With two different subscriptions to choose from, Batch tailor their services to both coffee experts and novices.
As little as £17.99 from batchcoffee.co.uk
Chocolate & coffee infused balsamic
Hear us out; chocolate and coffee-infused balsamic. Don't knock it 'til you've tried it.
This combination of rich, intense reserve balsamic paired with the unmistakeable natural aromas of chocolate and coffee is so wrong its right. Try it over a baked New York vanilla cheesecake for the ultimate indulgent treat.
£13.85 from thegiftofoil.co.uk
Vintage Christmas cupcakes
Send freshly-baked cupcakes to your family and friends and let them feel the festive love. This set of six vintage cupcakes adds a touch of holiday nostalgia to your Christmas, bringing back all those childhood memories of this time of year.
£22.99 from candyscupcakes.co.uk
Peamutt Butter treat and toy combo
Duerr’s Manchester, established in 1881, is a family business that's barking mad about the health and happiness of dogs. That's why they created their Peamutt Butter gift set, designed to give dogs a special treat this Christmas. Psst...your pooch will woof you forever if you buy them this.
£8 from Peamutt Butter suppliers
Tantalizing Christmas Day Package for Dogs
Keep them occupied (and away from the turkey they've been eyeing up) with this delicious selection box of treats and toys from For Dogs' Sake Treats. Your four-legged friend won't know what to play with first.
£29.95 from fordogssaketreats.co.uk
Manchester Wine Tours vouchers
Wine not treat your loved one to a tour with legs? (Get it? No? Ok)
Join certified wine expert Kel Bishop on a leisurely stroll around some of the best bars, restaurants and wine shops in Manchester. Designed for wine obsessed weirdos and wanderers alike, everyone will enjoy Manchester Wine Tours.
£75-100 from manchesterwinetours.com
Gold round embossed signet ring from Nordic Muse
A signature piece, the gold embossed signet ring is an ideal foundation for stacking. With its vintage-inspired design and star-like shape, this piece of jewellery is perfect for year-round wear. It's made from a blend of stainless steel and 18k gold, ensuring a long-lasting shine.
£34 from nordicmuse.com
Hot serves from The Cocktail Co.
Perfect for the colder months, these festive hot serves are just the thing to warm your cockles after winter walks this December. Choose from the 'Hot Apple Gin-gle' or the 'Spiced Rum Punch' - both of which are great tipples for sharing on evenings by the fire with the family.
£15 (700ml) from the-cocktail-co.com
Invisible Cities tour gift voucher
Invisible Cities is a social enterprise that trains people who have experienced street homelessness to be tour guides in their own cities. Available in both Manchester and Liverpool (and 4 other cities), this gift provides a positive impact to both the tour guide and those enjoying the tour.
As little as £10 from invisible-cities.org
Tatton Park gin
Tatton Park has distilled its first gin, just in time for Christmas. This unique blend of garden botanicals is perfect for year-round drinking but, with such a scrumptious recipe. we doubt the bottle will last until the New Year.
£39.99 from Tatton Park's Housekeeper store
The Hacienda 1982-1997 print by 71Manc
Everyone knows the Hacienda. It's one of the most iconic clubs that Britain has ever seen. Pay homage to this historic home of acid house with a large-scale print (32.9 x 48.3 cm) to hang on the walls of your home. Available to order as a print or framed print (40 x 50 cm).
£30-55 from 71manc.co.uk
Bestselling Cheese Gift Box
A decade later and Cheshire Cheese Company's bestselling cheeses are still flying out of the fridge. Luckily, for the cheese-lover in your life, this gift box consists of all the customer favourites; Black Bob Extra Mature cheddar and Reserva, Caramelised Onion and Rioja cheddar truckles, and of course no cheese gift box would be complete without matching biscuits and chutneys.
£19.50 from cheshirecheesecompany.co.uk
Leopard throw blanket from The Neighbourhood Threat
Is there anything better than getting cosy under a blanket on a cold winter evening? I doubt it.
Add a bit of colour to their home with this beautifully bold and bright throw, crafted in Lancashire at a factory that's been manufacturing woven textiles for over 150 years. Created using recycled cotton, this stunning blanket is made with minimal waste.
£195 from theneighbourhoodthreat.co.uk
Treatment gift vouchers from Shallows
If you’re looking for a last-minute gift, Shallows has scratch cards available from 1 December, available to collect from the studio every Tuesday and Friday until 9pm. The gift card will be redeemable for the price paid for any service at Shallows. Plus, thanks to the scratch card element, some lucky clients will receive extra surprises, including artwork prints, a free facial and even a £100 gift voucher up for grabs.
Various prices from Shallows
Break baking class vouchers from Room Forty
Award winning baking school, Room Forty, runs a number of bread making classes at venues across Cheshire. Learn how to make the perfect artisan loaf and even find out their best-kept secret; how to bake their World Bread Award-winning 'White Delight' loaf.
Can't make one of the classes? Let Room Forty come to you. Home classes are available for up to six people.
£65+ from roomforty.co.uk
Have I missed you off this list? Drop me an email at harleyy@confidentials.com with your favourite product, website and an image. 🎁
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