When it come to Christmas gifts, Manchester is full of places and makers that have you covered. We spend the year seeking out exciting new spots across the ten boroughs, so we only thought it fair to share the very best of what we’ve discovered – you won’t find any gatekeeping here.
There will be a few editions coming in the next week or two, but this guide is for foodies – those people in you’re life who are always desperate to try that new spot, or what to show off what they’ve whipped up at home. And while we’re sure they’ll love them, you’ll also look really thoughtful and amazing too, which is what the season’s all about, isn’t it?
Here’s our roundup of the Christmas gifts Manchester has to offer this year…
Noello Olives Christmas tree decoration, Selfridges
£20
Shamelessly emulating the fancy brand of olives you find in all the best natural wine bars and small plate restaurants, this bauble is the perfect permanent version for the foodie in your life. And yes, they do a pickle version too, if they tend to prefer an alternative brined cocktail garnish.
Buzzrocks’ Jerk Marinade, Buzzrocks
£3.99
For the flavour fan in your life, why not get them their own supply of Buzzrocks’ distinctive jerk marinade. The Caribbean takeaway in Hulme has been a staple of the community for decades, not least because of their signature marinade, which has a cult following of its own.
Pre-batched cocktails, Stray
£30
Stray has really made its mark on the Manchester cocktail scene since it arrived a year ago, taking over the corner unit of the always-buzzing Mackie Mayor. Now you can enjoy some of their signature drinks at home. Both the tomato vine margarita and the rhubarb and pine gimlet are available pre-mixed in 500ml bottles. Simply make sure your favourite glass is frosty cold, and enjoy. Perfect for sipping your way through the festive period, and a welcome change from bucks fizz.
Kinto glass water bottle, Deadstock General Store
£14.00
Deadstock General Store is one of those inviting little shops whereby you can’t entirely describe what the theme is, other than everything is beautifully made and swoon-worthy. From kitchenware to scarves to funky little useless objects, you’re bound to be drawn to at least something in here. A more budget-friendly option is this elegant glass water bottle by Kinto, which means you’ll at least stay hydrated during the over-consumption of the festive period.
Salvi’s Ultimate Pasta Bundle, Salvi’s
£12
For the ardent pasta-lover in your life, why not pick up Salvi’s Ultimate Pasta Bundle. The Mancunian institution imports the very best of the best from Italy, and there’s no standard fusilli to be found. Instead give the gift of wavy ribbons of mafaldine, curly-edged lasagne riccia, and satisfying tubes of pachetti, perfect to level-up their pasta skills, and all made in a family-run factory in Campania.
Yamashiroya Standard Class by Koshimeijyo, The Sparrows
£36
The Spärrows is known for being everyone’s favourite swanky späzle spot in the city, but you might not also know that they know as much about sake – the Japanese rice wine – as they do carb-tastic plates of delight. Browse their bottle shop, which is available to shop both online and in their stylish Red Bank restaurant, and you’ll find their Yamashiroya Standard Class from the Koshimeijyo brewery, a refreshing, revitalising bottle, and a great intro to this fascinating area of booze. They also have loads of more splurgey options, if you fancy pushing the boat out.
&k Haines Butter Dish, Idaho
£35
Here’s a gift that proves that, yes, a butter dish can be adorable. For the baker or toast-enthusiast in your life, this ceramic butter dish by designer Hal Haines and studio &k is both fun and practical. You can seek it out in the treasure trove that is Idaho, a lifestyle shop with spots in Altrincham and Sale.
Barney’s Tiramisu & Percy Dean Bowl, Skof
£150
Skof were one of the most exciting restaurant openings of 2024, and their shop is full of thoughtfully-curated and slightly eccentric foodie treats. Fans of their tiramisu can gift a 10-person serving of it, which is presented in a limited edition ceramic bowl by artist Percy Dean. Once polished off, the bowl then takes on a life of its own as a beautiful piece of homeware. £75 from each bowl goes to supporting Multiple System Atrophy Trust, which supports people with this rare and incurable neurological disease, so a worthy Christmas gift all round.
Rum Cream Liqueur, Salford Rum
£35
Salford Rum are known for their indulgently flavoured spiced rums made in small batches under a Salford railway arch. This year they’ve released something almost impossibly festive, a Rum Cream Liqueur. It’s described as a silky-smooth blend of Salford Rum with luxurious dairy cream and notes of vanilla, cocoa and cinnamon. Enjoyed over ice or in a cocktail, we think it’s one to rival that other festive cream-based beverage. You know the one. Make sure you pre-order to ensure Christmas delivery.
The Christmas Pantry Hamper, Selfridges
£200
This lavish hamper has absolutely everything in it to keep your cupboards stocked with those extra special bits and bobs over the Christmas period. Things like indulgent hot chocolate, seasonal jams and marmalades, fizz and mulled wine and loads of amazing bits that you can enjoy, or show off if someone happens to stop by unexpectedly. An incredible gift for a loved one, or an easy way to make yourself look like the absolute King or Queen of Christmas.
Harth Winter Solstice Hot Chocolate 40g, FORM Lifestyle Store
£8
What says thoughtful Christmas gift more than a ‘thick and luxurious, Swiss-style drinking chocolate’. This stuff, sourced by ever-beautiful homeware store FORM, is organic, vegan and lightly spiced. If cosiness was a drink, it’d be this. And if you happen to find yourself in FORM’s well-curated shop, why not complete the gift with some of their unique ceramic mugs.
Deli hampers, Ancoats Deli
From £35
If there’s one thing the team at Ancoats Deli know how to to, it’s source tempting, quality grocery bits. From £35 you can pick up a hamper-load of tasty olives, crisps, chocolate, booze and the like. Simply pre-order via Instagram and collect before 20 December and give your stock cupboard a little festive glow-up.
Manchester’s Finest x Manchester Union Light Lager, Manchester Union Brewery
£29.90 for 12
How could we resist? Yes, we’re biased, but Manchester’s Finest Light Lager – brewed by the quite brilliant Manchester Union Brewery in the centre of town – is simply a crowd pleaser. It’s light, it’s citrusy, it’s crisp and it goes down a treat with annoying uncles and bored cousins alike over the festive period.
Rosél Rosé Vodka, Harvey Nichols
£30
Christmas drinks don’t have to be all about Baileys and sherry. For fans of something a little fruitier, you can pick up Rozél rosé vodka from Harvey Nics – a blush pink vodka inspired by Provence. This one is great for spritzes, if you fancy manifesting a Christmas that is more sunshine-soaked than snow-covered.
Chocolate Hamper, Sam Joseph’s
£56
Altrincham Market’s Sam Joseph are specialists in all things chocolatey, and their hamper is a showcase of the best of the best. It’s complete with individual truffles, bars of chocolate, caramel mince pies and indulgent hot chocolate powder. If you bought one for yourself, we wouldn’t judge.
Dinner by Meera Sodha, Rare Mags
£27
A cookbook that is as beautiful as it is useful, ‘Dinner’ is full of really useful veggie and vegan recipes which are simple, satisfying and actually do-able. Find it at Stockport’s incomparable Rare Mags, an absolute treasure trove of niche and beautiful books and magazines perfect for print-lovers and admirers of beautiful objects. And yes, homecooked dinner counts as an occasion when it’s as delicious as this.
Frida Cooper x Blossom Stacker Cup, Blossom Coffee Roaster
£20
Old Trafford-based coffee roasters Blossom have teamed up with local ceramicist Frida Cooper to create a perfectly stackable coffee cup in a very stylish speckled design. Perfect for sipping on one of their carefully selected single origin brews.
Limited Edition Tea Towel, Eat Well MCR
£14
Printed sustainably and in short runs to avoid waste, Eat Well MCR have a range of extremely stylish printed tea towels, with the designs taken from a recent photo exhibition celebrating some of the city’s best chefs. They have a range of really interesting designs, and the best bit is that the proceeds go to Eat Well, the most excellent nonprofit which provides meals to families experiencing homelessness and food poverty across the city. There’s also a really great tote bag, if that’s more your thing, as well as photo prints and postcards.
Read more:
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The best pizzas in Manchester
Manchester’s best Korean food
