Head to People’s History Museum for a handmade celebration of the festive season, with Winter Makers Markets, arts and crafts workshops and pop-up choir performances – all in the stunning Edwardian Engine Hall.

Find one off and unique items in the stunning surrounds of Victoria Baths as part of this

MCDC is always a safe bet when looking for one of pieces of Jewellery, Homeware an individual card or want to commission one of the artists.

Get into the Christmas spirit with Hepworth Wakefield’s Festive Market featuring over 80 independent stalls with handcrafted goods. There will be live music, children’s activities and street food too.

Struggling to come up with ideas for a next-level Christmas present this year? Take a seat because we’ve got the ultimate gift: wine tour gift vouchers for the wonderful Manchester Wine Tours. Let’s make this festive season as Keith Floyd as possible. Hic.

More than set-dressing for your brand-new vintage-look shelves, books are there to learn from and lose yourself in — and are the perfect gift for just about anybody. And we’ve just updated our Bookshops in Manchester guide with some new faves!

Afflecks in Manchester, formerly (and still affectionately) known as Affleck’s Palace, is a labyrinth-like hub for independent sellers whose stock is prime-picking for alternative Christmas gifts.

Any music geeks on your gift list? Satisfy even the most obscure taste for vintage vinyl and rare CDs in one fell swoop at Manchester’s legendary Vinyl Exchange. With collectors items sat side by side with second hand steals.

Climb a staircase on Tib Street to discover the atmospheric and unexpected literary treasure that is, Anywhere Out of This World.

A cosy, independent bookshop in Chorlton with a wide range of fiction, non-fiction and children’s books. Anything they don’t have in, they’ll try and order for the next day – very helpful for last minute Christmas panic! Also stocks a great selection of cards and wrapping.

Nearly 130 years old and still going strong thanks to its unbeatable reputation for high-quality art, craft and design supplies; a visit to Fred Aldous is guaranteed to make creative friends and family members happy.

Christmas is a time for decadence and the Cheese Hamlet does this better than most. Their selection of artisanal cheeses and endless shelves of speciality condiments will brighten up any foodies Christmas day.

Manchester is blessed with so many excellent independent breweries. You’ll find the best bottles from the local scene as well as excellent international imports at Beermoth, making it an excellent place to find presents for the drinkers in your life.