It’s been a tough year for Manchester’s small businesses, with many of the city’s hardworking creatives struggling to survive due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
With Christmas is almost upon us, we need to look out for one another – supporting the Mancunian independents that our creative city is renowned for wherever we can.
Manchester is filled with unique businesses offering festive, fun gifts, so if you’re braving the busy high streets and frantically searching for last-minute Christmas presents, why not support some of these local creators?
Everyone deserves to feel indulged and spoiled around Christmas, especially after the insane year that 2020 has been.
Soapy J, which is based in Afflecks, is selling some amazing bath bombs that are handmade and kind to your skin, whilst still packing an incredible punch with their striking scents and vibrant colours.
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This relaxing range will go down a treat on a winter evening – as well as their classic mini-figure range of bath bombs which will hopefully be back in stock in the new year.
Our time in lockdown loungewear doesn’t seem to be entirely over yet – so it’s likely that comfy jumpers and joggers will still be a staple going into the new year.
Glass House on Princess Street has launched a ‘plant gang pack’, offering everything you need to keep your greens alive this winter.
This is perfect for anyone who’s developed a greenfinger and has been steadily transforming their home into a tropical paradise.
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Glass House is also selling a variety of houseplants, succulents and dried flowers from their Manchester-based boutique, as well as hosting workshops in the run-up to Christmas.
Buying someone a gift set of shower gels can seem quite impersonal, but opt for a zero-waste alternative and suddenly your prezzie has a lot more thought behind it.
Grüum is a Manchester brand aiming to create planet-friendly skin and body care, and these gifts would be the perfect addition under the Christmas tree for anyone who is environmentally conscious.
Although Gruum offer various gifts, you can’t beat ‘The Sustainables‘ set of zero plastic pamper products, including their award-winning shampoo bar.
If you plan on giving some elegant jewellery this Christmas, or you know someone who takes pride in these lavish accessories, then having somewhere to display these items is essential.
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Not only is Benji’s boho face jewellery stand practical as it stops them from getting tangled, it’s also the height of trendy interiors right now.
Gorgeous jewellery deserves to be adorned for all to see (that is, when we’re allowed visitors in our homes again), and what better way to do so than with this stunning holder.
Candles are quite an obvious gift idea, but why not spice things up a bit and opt for a set of wax melts instead?
These super cute stocking fillers provide a great opportunity to try out some new scents and give your home a fresh feel as the new year approaches.
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Although there are many on the market, you can’t beat WIFF’s selection of unique fragrances with hilarious names that’ll definitely be the topic of conversation around the Christmas dinner table.
If you know someone who is into creative, reusable face masks, rather than the disposable, surgical-esque ones, then this is a thoughtful and extremely practical gift.
It’s the gift that we never could’ve seen coming last Christmas – but is now an absolute necessity for everyone.
The Norah Store in Stockport are selling these stylish options that will become the focus of any outfit, allowing you to be both confident and cautious when heading out
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There’s a studio in Manchester with welded jewellery and a build-your-own-necklace charm bar
Daisy Jackson
An independent jewellery studio in Manchester is tapping into the welded jewellery craze, offering customisable permanent bracelets, necklaces and loads more.
Aureli is the brainchild of Georgina Dunn, and as well as these increasingly popular welded pieces, is offering a charm bar where Mancs can build their own charm jewellery.
The studio is tucked away on Chapel Street, a stone’s throw from Manchester city centre.
Inside the space, you’ll find shelves full of different chains, from dainty links to chunkier rope styles, all available in gold, silver, rose gold or even mixed metal – you choose your poison.
These can then be cut to measure and welded to your person, either as a bracelet, an anklet, a ring or a hand chain.
You can add in tiny charms, like letters, birth stones, and symbols, for a piece of jewellery that’s truly unique to you and that will stay with you.
Terrified of commitment and getting a piece of jewellery literally welded to your body? No stress – Georgina can also add on tiny clasps so that you can take your treasure off whenever you like.
And for fans of chunkier, more statement pieces, you can also book a workshop in the Aureli charm bar.
Georgina fitting a welded braceletGeorgina Dunn, owner of AureliYou can have welded anklets tooAureli offers welded jewellery in ManchesterYou can customise your welded jewellery at the studio in ManchesterSome of the chains on offer at AureliThe charm bar at AureliThe beautiful Aureli studio in Manchester
Here, there are hundreds of playful charms to pick from, like enamel-coated colourful fruit, metal cowboy boots, cherubs, hearts, pearls, and LOADS more.
Georgina can then talk you through the process of hand-fixing each charm to your chosen piece of jewellery, whether you’ve gone for a chunky necklace, a bracelet, or a phone charm.
Georgina has a fashion background and says: “I always knew I wanted my own brand, I just didn’t feel like clothing was the right choice.
“I’d always made my own jewellery as a hobby and had a friend who’d seen permanent jewellery in Australia – so decided to bring that concept to Manchester.”
Two years ago, she started trading at The Makers Market around Greater Manchester, while still working full-time as a teacher.
Aureli absolutely took off, and she’s now appeared in Vogue magazine as well as at events for brands like Sephora and BPerfect.
Aureli is located on Chapel Street in Salford and you can find out more HERE.
Unknown Mortal Orchestra announce Manchester gig among just a handful of UK dates on European tour
Danny Jones
One of our favourite live acts we’ve ever seen is coming back to Manchester as Unknown Mortal Orchestra are set for a stunning return to the city – and at one of our most beloved venues, no less.
The New Zealand psychedelia-infused rock and indie outfit may not be on everyone’s radar just yet, but the genre-bending outfit is comfortably up there with some of the best we’ve ever had the privilege of seeing in the flesh.
Currently based in Portland, Oregon, in the States, Unknown Mortal Orchestra (UMO) is fronted by multi-instrumentalist and visionary experimentalist producer, Ruban Nielson, who first began the project on his own over a decade and a half ago.
Closer to a three-piece these days, you won’t find many bands that boast a collection of such varied and talented musicians, and they’re heading to Albert Hall.
As detailed by Albert Hall themselves, this show is also just one among a very small handful of dates here in the UK as part of their run of shows across Europe.
Other shows include one on the night following their Manchester gig over in Yorkshire, which our friends at The Sheff will no doubt be buzzing about, as well as on opening night at Barrowland in Glasgow ahead of a four-show residency in London.
Dubbing their work as nothing short of “psychedelic mastery” (we couldn’t agree more), the iconic live music space will be welcoming them early next year after landing on the mainland continent.
Other stops on the 2026 Unknown Mortal Orchestra European tour include Lithuania, Latvia and Poland; Germany, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Holland, Belgium and Paris.
Now consisting of Nielsen, bassist Jacob Portait, and often Ruban’s brother as well as fellow singer-songwriter, musician and engineer, Kody Neilson – also known for his work with The Mint Chicks, Opossom, Silicone and more – all of whom are as talented in the studio as they are on stage.
They also happen to have one of our favourite Tiny Desks of all time.
Sorry, but this HAS to be up in there in the top 10.
The London residency already looks to be in high demand, so you can bet their only date here in Manchester and at a venue like Albert Hall will sell out extremely fast.
As well as an entirely instrumental outing earlier this year, UMO also dropped their latest EP entitled CURSE back in June, and it’s fair to say it’s some of the most ‘out-there’ material to date.
If you haven’t listened to it yet and are just expecting more art-poppy indie bops like ‘Hunnybee’, you couldn’t be more wrong…
Unknown Mortal Orchestra play the Albert Hall in Manchester on Friday, 27 March, and you can get ready to grab your tickets right HERE.
Daisy Bradbury -
17th December 2020 
