The Christmas Market at Leeds Corn Exchange has arrived, for seven weeks of fun. With additional food outlets, markets, tasting rooms and a bar plus free entry this is looking to be even better than last year.

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.

Struggling to come up with ideas for a next-level Christmas present this year? Take a seat because we’ve got the ultimate gift: cookery class gift vouchers at the wonderful Food Sorcery Manchester. It doesn’t matter if the recipient is a budding Heston or can’t even slice a sprout, there’s something here for all skill levels.

Moth is a beacon of taste on Burton Road. With unique collections of homeware, body products and kitchen items, they make gift buying easy.

Formerly a fish market, the craft and design centre is home to local ceramicists, jewellers and visuals artists. You can be sure to find beautiful, precious and useful objects that will make the perfect gift.

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.

Levenshulme Market is a cornucopia of local makers, artists, food producers and entrepreneurs. You can find everything from jewellery and visual art, to speciality foods and one-off coffee blends.

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.

Sold in several on-trade places in Manchester and the North, including The Botanist, you might have sampled Sea Change’s wines before. If you have, you’ll know they hit a little bit different – think big, fresh, memorable flavours. What’s more, for every bottle sold, the company donates to marine conservation charities. Enter Christmas, and the perfect gift for the eco-conscious wine lover in your life.