It’s been a rough few weeks for businesses in Manchester, whose Christmas trade has been slashed by concerns around Omicron.
But there are ways you can support your favourite indies, while ticking off a few tricky last people on your gift list.
We’ve rounded up some brilliant Christmas gift ideas that are perfect for those people who are impossible to buy for, and give a little something back to Manchester at the same time.
Do you know of a great business we’ve missed out? Let us know on our social media pages on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.
Restaurant vouchers
Salvi’s in the Northern Quarter
Everyone, and I mean everyone, loves going out for dinner – but with Covid cases rocketing, a lot of us are spending a bit more time at home in the run-up to Christmas.
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A great way to help your favourite restaurant to weather the current storm is to buy a restaurant voucher, paying it forward to a date where things are a little calmer.
It’ll give your friends and family something to look forward to, too.
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Loads of local indies offer vouchers, but a few to consider are Salvi’s, Elnecot, and Mowgli.
Secret Spa
Credit: Secret Spa
Got someone in your life who absolutely loves a pamper?
You can deliver whole spa treatments – complete with professional masseuse/nail tech/spray-tanner – to their door with Secret Spa.
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Services include manicures from £27, massages from £45, and spray tans from £27, all performed in the comfort of your own home between the hours of 6am and 10pm.
Mancs can take £20 off their first book using code THEMANC – the code expires on January 31, 2022.
There are gift cards too. You can browse the lot at secretspa.co.uk.
Zymurgorium
Zymurgorium’s mini bottles
Let the festivities be gin, am I right?
Manchester’s got loads of local distilleries but if you want to have a bit of fun with your booze, it’s got to be Zymurgorium.
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Beer-lovers can sip on The Cub Gin, made in collaboration with Congleton brewery Beartown; pink drink fans can go for a shimmering Realm of the Unicorn gin liqueur; and there’s even something for jam fans in the marmalade gin, made by the legendary Duerr’s.
You can order a yard of gin, a Zym Experience Pack of five little bottles, or just commit to one of their many flavours as an ideal Christmas gift.
Manchester’s beautiful bagel bakery and florist hybrid has put together the ultimate Christmas morning hamper.
You can win over the hearts of your tricky relatives by rocking up and Christmas day armed with a selection of bagels, schmears, smoked salmon, sparkling wine, coffee, juice, and a floral centrepiece.
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The hampers are available to collect from Kampus on Christmas eve, but if you can’t make it, there are also gift vouchers you can pass on as an IOU.
Tipples of Manchester
It’s getting a bit close to the wire to be relying on online orders, but if you’re in the city centre you can grab some great gifts at Tipples on Lloyd Street.
This independent booze shop has got a whole library of liqueurs and spirits to suit every taste.
The staff are always happy to make recommendations if you’re really struggling too.
M&S launches its fancy festive ‘food to go’ range for 2025 with sandwiches, snacks, and more
Emily Sergeant
Christmas is nearing closer, and M&S has now launched its fancy festive food to go range filled with sandwiches, snacks, and loads more.
We may still be in the middle of autumn, with Halloween and Bonfire Night yet to pass us by, but there’s really no escaping Christmas food in the supermarkets nowadays – and now, M&S has dropped its long-awaited festive food to go range, which is an absolute fan-favourite each year thanks to the wide selection on offer.
Basically M&S’s version of a lunchtime ‘meal deal’, except there’s technically no ‘deal’ involved, the food to go range is known and loved for its quality and variety of options.
The retailer has decided to launch its Christmas food earlier than ever before this year, with more than 35 festive favourites having now hit stores across the entire range, including eight brand-new additions joining the Christmas classics – including the first ever festive breakfast pot.
This year’s festive food to-go range includes must-have newbies like the Ho Ho Ho Honey Ham Hock & Cornish Cove Sandwich, the Boxing Day Curry Wrap, and the Fa La La La Fel Wrap, which is a festive take on the beloved vegetarian classic.
But of course, M&S’s iconic Turkey Feast sandwich is back, as is the Made Without version for those who are gluten-free.
M&S has launched its fancy festive ‘food to go’ range for 2025 / Credit: M&S (Supplied)
Not only that, but breakfast, sides, and drinks are aplenty this year, including all-new Festive Turkey Dipper, Chocolate Orange Milkshakes, and the high-protein Gingerbread Overnight Oats, which are already going down a treat on social media.
Other returning favourites include the Pigs in Blankets Sandwich, the Christmas Club Sandwich, and the Brie & Cranberry Sandwich, as well as the Turkey, Bacon & Cranberry Sausage Roll, and mini festive-themed Colin the Caterpillar cakes.
For the 21st festive season in a row, M&S are ‘proud’ to be partnering with Shelter, the housing and homeless charity, again this year.
5%* of sales from each item sold in our festive food on the go range will be donated.
Featured Image – M&S (Supplied)
Christmas
The North West’s most mesmerising festive light trail will return to Dunham Massey next month
Daisy Jackson
A magical illuminated trail will make its return to the historic Dunham Massey this winter, once again filling the grounds with twinkling lights and dazzling installations.
Christmas at Dunham Massey has become one of the North West’s most popular festive light trails, created by award-winning light trail producers and taking place annually at the National Trust site in Greater Manchester.
For 2025, there’ll be brand-new installations, like ‘Fish Are Jumping’, where points of light will leap like fish over the lake, in a mesmerising dance.
Visitors will walk through multicoloured landscapes of laser beams, while a projection on the facade of the historic house at Dunham Massey will narrate festive stories.
You’ll also be able to marvel at installations like ‘Field of Stars’ where colour-changing stars more than five metres high glow overhead; ‘Crocus Lawn’, filled with larger-than-life glowing flowers; and ‘Pixel Trees’, a cluster of Christmas trees made from thousands of LEDs.
Credit: Luke DysonChristmas at Dunham MasseyIt’s one of the North West’s most dazzling light trails. Credit: Luke DysonChristmas at Dunham Massey is returning in 2025. There’ll a fairground
There’ll also be a large triangular geometric light show, enhanced by an atmospheric haze, that will provide a dramatic moment on the trail.
And beloved elements returning to Christmas at Dunham Massey this year will include the iconic tunnel of lights, huge illuminated flowers, and appearances from Father Christmas himself.
Beyond the installations, there’s even a festive fairground you can enjoy.
Festive food on offer at Christmas at Dunham Massey
Once you’ve had your fill of this dazzling light trail, there are seasonal treats available from hand-picked street food vendors, like spiced winter drinks and rich hot chocolates, plus marshmallows you can toast over an open fire.
This year’s Christmas at Dunham Massey will kick off from Thursday 13 November and will run all the way through Christmas to Sunday 4 January 2026.
Advance booking is strongly advised as this is one of the region’s most popular festive events, and runs with a limited capacity.
Daisy Jackson -
17th December 2021 
