Our city is absolutely full to the brim with amazing independent businesses, from food to drink to art to nightlife. We spend the year seeking out exciting new spots across the 10 boroughs, but for this edition of our Manchester gift guide, we’ve focused on things that are a tenner (or thereabouts).
Whether you’re struggling for ideas for secret Santa, trying to watch the pennies, or you simply do not want to spend very much on the person in question, here’s our budget friendly (though still seriously good quality) festive gift guide.
Panettone Chocolate Bar, Selfridges
£4.99
If you know, you know. This little oblong of pure festive cheer contains all the flavours of the Italian favourite as well as luxurious milk chocolate. A bit of a secret Santa no-brainer. Pushing the boat out? Get two.
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.
Cafe Royal Books UNITOM
£6.70
Sheffield-based arty publication house Cafe Royal Books are great at sourcing really interesting archival imagery and putting together these zines about architecture, history, music and more. They make great gifts for fans of everything from Wu-Tang Clan to Blackpool in the 80s. Perfect for you most ‘niche interest’ friend.
Manchester Soap Company Handcrafted Soap, Goodness Zero Waste
£7.50
Goodness Zero Waste is an Urmston emporium full of groceries, household products and gifts which reduce waste in one way or another. As well as cereals and cleaning products and even a make-your-own peanut butter machine, they sell gorgeous handcrafted soap by The Manchester Soap Company. With loads of natural ingredients and anti-oxidant properties, we’d opt for a Manc-adjacent flavour like ‘Honey & Oats’ or ‘Sunshine’ (pronounced ‘sunshiiiiiiine’, obviously).
Rickard Sisters ‘Time To Strike’ Matches, People’s History Museum
£12
Located on the banks of the River Irwell, where Manchester crosses over into Salford, the People’s History Museum sometimes gets sadly overlooked in round ups of Manchester’s cultural institutions. It tells ‘the story of democracy in the UK’, and explores ‘radical stories of people coming together’ to fight for change. We love their clever ‘time to strike’ illustrated matches, designed by graphic novel creators the Rickard Sisters.
Magpie x Hornsea Cat Enamel Pin, The Modernist
£8.50
The Modernist is a magazine dedicated to modernist architecture, and they have their own dedicated shop and exhbition space in the Northern Quarter. It’s full of beautiful prints, books and homeware objects for those who love vast expanses of concrete, clean lines and niche design. This enamel pin is taken from iconic mid-century pottery brand Hornsea and is, we think, really quite nice.
Footprint Socks, Clint’s
£10
Streetwear brand Clint’s are best known for their outrageous statement footwear and outerwear, but their basics are pretty sweet too. These socks are really nice quality, and come it an array of flattering colours – and with the legend ‘step correct’ on the sole. Just a bit more exciting than an M&S multi-pack.
Charm Hoop Earring, Blóma
£10
Blóma is the Manchester-based design studio specialising in ‘floral inspired jewellery and other cute things’. These individual charm hoops come in at a tenner each, and have loads of different designs, from fruit to fish. They’re cute, they’re fun, and perfect for that friend who firmly believes earrings don’t have to come in matching pairs.
Elliot Eastwick’s Volcanic Vimpto
£7
Could an indie gift guide be complete without a small batch hot sauce? We say it simply could not. Elliot Eastwick’s World Famous Hot Sauce is a familiar sight at foodie markets across Manchester, and the eponymous Elliot creates all sorts of madcap hot sauces, rubs and gravies. We’re intrigued by the ‘Volcanic Vimpto’, a sauce with Carolina reaper heat, alongside the distinctive grape, raspberry and dark fruit flavours of Greater Manchester’s most historic fizzy drink.
Claire Birtwistle Glass Coasters, Fred Aldous
£4.95
Fred Aldous is the long-standing art supply and gift shop on Stevenson Square which has saved the day countless times when it comes to last-minute gifting. Among their array of gorgeous bits and bobs, you’ll find this exclusive collaboration with artist Claire Birtwistle. These glass coasters would look great on the table for your arty friend of your coffee-loving colleague, and for £4.95 each, you can get them a couple and still come in under budget.
Bread and Butter Milk Chocolate Bar, Doormouse Chocolates
£6
Deansgate Mews’ award-winning chocolatier Doormouse have teamed up with their award-winning bakery neighbours Holy Grain to create a bread and butter chocolate bar, with browned butter and a caramelly crunch. Perfect for fans of chocolate and baked goods alike.
Read more:
Best for solo dining in Manchester
The best pizzas in Manchester
Manchester’s best Korean food
