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It’s time to crack out the mulled wine, mince pies and questionable headwear, Christmas has once again descended upon us. We’ve engaged in some outside-the-box thinking and compiled a fail-safe list of alternative gift-buying suggestions, most of which are also available online. If, once again, you find yourself lost and uninspired in the present department, we’ve got you covered, so consider this year’s Christmas shopping sorted.
With beautifully designed home furnishings from Moth, quirky and wonderful stocking fillers from Oklahoma and the colossal range of Afflecks at the click of a mouse, there’s more than enough choice.
Christmas shopping locally and meaningfully, gives a gift that extra sentimental spark we all love to receive. While you’ve mustered the strength to go on this gift based journey, there’s never any harm done in buying a few Christmas presents for yourself. So delve with wild abandon into Manchester’s alternative retail scene and see what gems you find.
Still in need of further inspiration? Check out our guide to independent shops in Manchester, Liverpool and Leeds.
Here are our picks
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1. Manchester Craft & Design Centre
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2. Oklahoma
Ben Williams Oklahoma, 74-76 High Street, Manchester, Greater Manchester, M4 1ES - Visit now
As Manchester’s biggest independent gift shop, selling everything from fish-shaped plastic pens and vintage dominoes to two-metre folding wood rulers and hand-crafted jewellery, Oklahoma is the place to find those more eclectic stocking-fillers. All their stock is currently available online for those who want to get organised.
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3. Oi Polloi
Oi Polloi Oi Polloi, 63 Thomas Street, Manchester, Greater Manchester, M4 1LQ - Visit now
Voted Manchester’s finest independent boutique by GQ Magazine and named style pioneer by the Guardian, Oi Polloi has one of the most covetable selections of classic and contemporary designer menswear around. Hoping to use Christmas as an opportune excuse to upgrade a male-friend’s wardrobe? Regard this as your one-stop-shop.
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4. Wilderness Records: shop and cafe
Wilderness Records Wilderness Records: shop and cafe, 9 Egerton Crescent, Withington, Manchester, M20 4PN - Visit now
For the musically inclined people in your life, check out Wilderness Records. Their cross genre collection of heavy hitting vinyl, is sure to help you find the record your loved one needs in their collection.
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5. Afflecks Palace Online
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6. Magma Books
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7. Moth, Didsbury
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8. Centre for Chinese Contemporary Art
Photo by Michael Pollard Centre for Chinese Contemporary Art, Market buildings, Thomas Street, Manchester, Greater Manchester, M4 1EU - Visit now
From ‘sushi socks’ for salmon lovers and panda-themed eco-friendly tableware sets to jewellery, artist books and limited-edition prints, CFCCA’s shop has plenty to offer by way of left field gift buying inspiration.
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9. Rapha Clubhouse Manchester
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10. Vinyl Exchange
Vinyl Exchange Vinyl Exchange, 18 Oldham Street, Manchester, Greater Manchester, M1 1JN - Visit now
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.
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11. Chorlton Bookshop
Chorlton Bookshop Chorlton Bookshop, 506 Wilbraham Road, Manchester, M21 9AW - Visit now
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.
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12. Fred Aldous
© Fred Aldous Fred Aldous, 37 Lever Street, Manchester, Greater Manchester, M1 1LW - Visit now
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.
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13. OBJECT, Chorlton
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14. 49 Hilton Street
Courtesy of Beaumont Organic 49 Hilton Street, 49 Hilton Street, Manchester, M1 2EF - Visit now
49 Hilton Street is as much about ethically sourced, conscious consumerism as exemplary craft and style. Offering a wide selection of luxury artisan homeware and accessories, as well as lifestyle workshops and clothing by Beaumont Organic.
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