Manchester independent Christmas gift guide: Budget edition

By Lucy Holt | 9 December 2025

We’ve been rounding up the best Christmas gifts from Manchester makers, independents and iconic establishments. This guide is all about special bits and bobs sourced from Manchester-based makers and retailers, all for about £15 or under. Whether you’re in pursuit of stocking-fillers with a bit of a difference, or just want to gift something thoughtful on a budget, here’s the best the city has to offer…

Looking for something else? Read our other gift guides.
Manchester’s best ‘money no object’ Christmas gifts
Manchester’s best food and drink Christmas gifts
Manchester’s best stylish Christmas gifts
Manchester’s best last minute Christmas gifts

Len Grant Calendar

Len Grant Charity Calendar, Mustard Tree, £10/£15

For Mustard Tree’s 2026 calendar, they’ve partnered with much-loved urban sketcher Len Grant. His lively, personality-filled drawings of different neighbourhoods around Manchester are a firm favourite here at Finest. The calendar features twelve illustrations from the charity’s three hubs in Manchester (Ancoats) and Salford (Eccles & Little Hulton), including scenes from its community shops, food clubs, training areas and creative clubs. We couldn’t think of anything better to brighten up your desk or wall all year long.

‘Girl Dinner’ Decorations, Idaho, £12-£16

When it comes to gorgeous, independent gifts, nowhere does it quite like Idaho. You can find stores in Altrincham and Sale, stocking beauty, jewellery, homeware, books and cards and more. We’ve been magpie-ing over the delightfully kitsch and girly dinner-inspired Christmas decorations. We love the olive, and the crisps, and the Chicken Wine of course. Oh, and the sardines…

Allpress Festive Blend, Allpress, £12.50

Indulgent and sweet with a hint of spice, Allpress’ Festive Blend is a great gift for a coffee lover who likes to brew their own at home. Available online or in Allpress’ ultra modern cafe spot on Sadler’s Yard.

Drama Call Rubik’s Cube Keyring, £15.99

Founded in 2017 by Charlie Bows, Drama Call grew from a Mancunian bedroom brand into one of the most talked‑about names in UK streetwear. It’s known for heavy, logo‑centric “Trackeh” tracksuits and guerrilla marketing tactics that build hype and community. Their latest festive drop includes a Rubik’s Cube and a mini keyring version. Both are playable puzzles, but the keyring is the perfect budget pick at £15.99 – clip it to your bag or keys for a hit of nostalgia with streetwear edge. The full‑size cube is £21.99 if you want to go bigger. The drop goes live on Sunday 14 December at 7 pm, and Drama Call’s releases typically sell out quick, so set a reminder. This is an easy stocking‑filler for fans of independent fashion and anyone who loves gifts that blend pop culture with design.

PHM

Raised Fist Felt Decorations, People’s History Museum, £12.50

Why shouldn’t you show solidarity on your Christmas tree? People’s History Museum has unveiled a beautiful new range of handcrafted Christmas tree decorations, featuring exclusive designs available only through the museum. The collection is a creative collaboration with artist Frockdolly and draws inspiration from traditional European folk art. Each is handmade, so completely unique – buy them online, or on your next visit to the museum.

A bottle of something nice, The Old Cobblers, various prices

Out in Greenfield (very technically still Manchester – we’ll take it) you’ll find Lou and Badger’s shop in, you guessed it, an old cobblers. They specialise in beer, wine, coffee and all sorts of locally-sourced deli products from all over Saddleworth. It’s almost impossible not to come away with a hampers-worth of interesting pantry bits: sauces, olives, crisps etc. And doubles as a handy pit-stop on a wintry walk.

Piave-Paris-Toothbrush-Group

Paris Toothbrush, Deadstock General Store, £14

Piave – the company who makes these toothbrushes – have been making toothbrushes for over 150 years. Handcrafted in Italy, these high-quality acetate brushes are stylishly patterned in the style of Murano glass. No one is going to buy themselves a pretty toothbrush, so it makes an ideal gift for someone who appreciates beautiful, useful objects.

Cloud Socks

Cloud Socks, Nordic Muse, £14

Le Bon Shoppe are based in California, but are stocked in the heart of the Northern Quarter thanks to the painfully chic Nordic Muse store. Socks at Christmas might not sound revolutionary, but when they are as soft and cosy as these, we guarantee the recipient will become a convert. They’re made in small batches in an array of stylish colours, but we think this ‘Cactus Flower’ red is especially festive.

Bloma Barette

Daisy Barrette, blóma!, £16

Blóma is the Manchester-based design studio specialising in ‘floral inspired jewellery and other cute things’. These barrettes are a fun and kind-of-kisch gift for the vintage magpie or maximalist in your life. Handmade with care, these are fun and affordable gifts for lovers of all things girly in your life.

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