You don’t need us to tell you that everything is costing a fortune these days and finances are looking generally grim for most of us.
But that feels particularly upsetting with Christmas now on most people’s minds – no one wants to be cutting corners when it comes to spoiling our loved ones and celebrating together.
So we’ve found the solution to all your festive budgeting woes, in the form of a tiny maze of a shop in Manchester city centre.
Sostrene Grene, a Danish retailer based in The Royal Exchange, is an absolute haven for tasteful gifts and trinkets, as well as homewares, craft supplies and those all-unimportant-but-absolutely-magical Christmas decorations.
Sostrene Grene uses a one-way maze-like layout, which has led to it being nicknamed ‘little Ikea’. Credit: The Manc Group
The brand is often labelled a ‘mini Ikea’, thanks to two things – one that it sells just about everything you can think of for your home, the other that shoppers are taken on a one-way maze through the departments.
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It’s a place to buy all the annoying things you can never think where to go for – like napkin rings, nail clippers, kids’ craft kits, and egg cups – which also makes it a great place for gift inspiration.
At this time of year, you enter into a little Scandinavian Christmas wonderland, with a forest of decorative pine trees made from wood, ceramics and even paper, as well as dangling paper snowflakes.
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There’s a whole wall of reasonably-priced wrapping paper and gift bags (£1.54 for wrapping paper is a darn sight cheaper than some of the big brands nearby).
Christmas collections in Sostrene Grene. Credit: The Manc Group
Further into Sostrene Grene you’ll find even more Christmas wonder, like an eclectic range of baubles, so you could have a sparkling panda peering through the branches of your pine tree or a glittery croissant dangling amidst your fairy lights.
There’s even a festive section in the craft area, where you can pick up the bits to make your own wreath or build your own Scandinavian nativity scene, down to mini felt deer, tiny post-boxes and even miniature fairy lights.
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Elsewhere, craft fans can browse a massive range of yarn and string, canvases and paint brushes, jewellery-making kits and more.
The craft section. Credit: The Manc Group
Things that are normally incomprehensibly expensive, like picture frames and mirrors, are far more affordable here than you might expect (around £25 for a huge mirror that looks straight off a Pinterest board).
The same goes for things like candles and decorative jars – there are rows and rows of candlesticks and pillar candles in a rainbow of colours for just 40p each.
The bathroom and candles sections. Credit: The Manc Group
You can buy things like a back-scratcher here, or a ceramic loo brush that’s so beautifully made you’d be tempted to display it on a shelf (if that wasn’t gross).
The surprising bargains continue in the kitchen section too, with things like glass and wooden jars in various sizes for around the £4 mark – we can never understand why other shops charge so much for these things.
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There are pizza cutters and place settings, colanders and cutting boards, baking trays and beautiful ceramic bowls.
You can even buy retro sweets while you’re queueing up for the tills – we’re talking the sort of hard-boiled fruity sweet that your parents would also chuck at your intermittently to keep you quiet on long car journeys.
Sostrene Grene looks better than ever now that Christmas is nearing, each window transformed into a welcoming scene.
Would the staff judge you for pulling up a chair at the dining table covered in dishes and novelty festive glasses? We might go and find out.
The Manchester vintage shop selling designer brands for £25 has reopened in a new location
Thomas Melia
A much-loved and viral vintage shop selling all your favourite designer brands is finally returning to Manchester after a 16 month closure.
Already loved vintage shop Catch My Thrift is reopening in a new location in Manchester city centre and it’s providing people with high-end fashion at budget-friendly prices.
After a successful run of pop-up shop dates on Deansgate, now, Catch My Thrift now has a permanent location to help make the streets of Manchester even more stylish, one thrifted tee at a time.
There’s no catch here, besides the one you can find in their company name, as you can bag brands from Yves Saint Laurent to Ralph Lauren from as little as £25.
Located in Chatham Mill, this vintage clothes shop is suitable for shopaholics and bargain lovers alike as they’re providing the people of Manchester with trendy tees while keeping prices in the forefront of their mind.
An Yves Saint Laurent polo shirt from Catch My Thrift in Manchester.This vintage store has a variety of cool jackets, just like this one.Credit: The Manc Group
Just a five minute walk from iconic music venues Gorillaand O2 Ritz, Catch My Thrift also finds itself right in the heart of Manchester’s student accommodation.
Catch My Thrift is the brainchild of sustainable fashion brand owner Scott Joseph, known online as Sustainably Scott, and initially launched all the way back in 2023.
Now, this vintage clothes site is well-trusted as their Instagram account highlights notable names that have visited the including the England Rugby team as well as a whole host of influencers.
And very soon you’ll be able to walk round with coffee in hand as the attached space will act as a coffee shop venue working alongside the vintage clothes vendor titled, Canteen.
There’s an additional third unit just next door that owner Scott has plans for in the future, however all is being kept secret as of yet.
One thing we can guarantee is whatever this space becomes, it’s sure to be a hit.
Catch My Thrift, colloquially referred to as Catch, is open now and their attached coffee shop Canteen will be opening very soon, both located at Chatham Mill in Manchester.
A lovely outfit combination made by Catch My Thrift owner, Scott.It doesn’t get more vintage than a snazzy windbreaker.Credit: The Manc Group
A charity auction is selling memorabilia from the ACTUAL Peaky Blinders set
Thomas Melia
Peaky Blinders super-fans get ready, because there’s a charity auction is currently open and items worn by the stars of the iconic TV seriesare up for grabs.
This exclusive event gives bidders the chance to own a piece of modern-day TV history in the form of not just merchandise but authentic memorabilia.
Let’s be honest, we’ve all wanted to pull on a flat cap and pretend we were a gangster at one point in our lives, and what better way to do so and relive your Peaky Blinders fantasy than by doing so with one from the show? Especially since you know your money is going towards a good cause.
Whether you want to look as dapper as Tommy Shelby, or you just want to add a culture-soaked collector’s item to your, well, collection, you might want to check this one if you’re a big Peaky fan.
Maybe you could own something from this very picture at the Peaky Blinders charity auction event.Walk away feeling dapper as ever with exclusive merchandise up for grabs at the Peaky Blinders charity auction event.Credit: BBC
Anyone planning on going to the Peaky Blinders charity auction event can bid in person or even register to bid online now if you won’t be free during the proceedings.
As for what is on the table, you could raise your virtual paddle for everything from a full suit worn by Cillian Murphy himself to Sam Claflin’s homburg hat, a pair of Michael Gray (Finn Cole) shiny shoes and much more.
And where else to hold said event and than Manchester’s very own Peaky Blinders bar on Peter Street just off the main Deansgate strip, where the action will culminate in a flamboyant and free-to-all event.
Those attending in person will be greeted with a welcome drink before being encouraged to join in with the final day of the auction – guests are encouraged to turn up in ‘true Shelby style’ of course.
All the funds raised will go towards the much-loved NHS foundation and specialist hospital, The Christie, Europe’s largest cancer centre, right here in Manchester.
Peaky Blinders bar on Peter St in Manchester city centre.Everyone knows the Peaky Blinders like a drink.
Tickets for this event cost nothing, but there is an option to add an additional donation if you wish, and bidding on items taken from the cult favourite TV show is open to everyone.