Forget Black Friday! We have the greatest gifts from our fave independent businesses. We have worked with all of these wonderful people over the past 12 months and would encourage you all to shop independent this Christmas. Never fail to remember that every time you shop independent an actual real life person somewhere does a crazy happy dance 😉
So here is our ultimate gift guide- something for everyone (including YOU!), we always ensure that the businesses we collaborate with offer value for money with desirable goods at reasonable prices. We hope you enjoy our top picks!
SOMETHING FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY –
First up – it’s US – something the whole family can enjoy! Buy the tickets to joy this Christmas – absolute guaranteed unadulterated FUN! Bring the whole fam and your mates to Our Kids Social to smash New Year’s Eve at YES – Charles Street Manchester.
Join us 1pm-3pm in four whole floors of YES from the basement to the roof terrace: resident DJ; silent disco; arts and crafts; circus skills; face-paint; pizza and Prosecco; fully licensed bar – tickets and info
Grab some tickets and get ready to rock out as you say goodbye to 2019 in style! TICKETS
SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE TO ENJOY BETWEEN CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEAR (AND MAKE USE OF ALL THE BOXES)
Next up – our pals at Punk Box Tribe are making junk modelling more fun that it has ever been before with their amazing sticker packs – the perfect stocking filler. We have been using them at our events and the kids (of all ages) love them!
From magical fairytale castles to jolly pirate ships, super charged cars and even Santa’s super sleigh, Punk Box have it covered and all you need to provide are the cardboard boxes.
For a fiver you get an envelope stuffed full of stickers through the post and then there are hours of creative fun for the whole family to enjoy together. Punk Box Tribe stickers will be featuring high on our gift buying list this year.
SOME COSY COMFY CLOTHES FOR YOUR LITTLEST ONES –
Albie and Sebastian are long time collaborators with us and we love their cosy clothing range. Just look at the adorable leggings and snuggly jumper co-ords.
Check out these beauties for starters – who wouldn’t want to snuggle up in these over the Christmas holidays? This gorgeous all in one spotted dungarees is everything this season.
Not only that but if you tag them in on insta @albieandsebastian and they use your image, they will send you a 20% off voucher!
AND if you sign up to their newsletter you get 10% off your next order! Fantastic! Find them on Facebook here.
SOMETHING FOR MAGPIES –
Hall and Hines have a gorgeous shop in Sale but if you can’t make it over there for beautiful gifts for adults then you deffo need to check out their website and social media account.
A whole host of intricate designs, beautifully crafted collections and eye catching accessories. If you can, take a look into their shop in Sale – it is a treasure trove of delight.
I have some of their unique earrings (an absolute steal at £8.50) and a fab gold purse which I take everywhere. This year they have a beautiful 12 days of Christmas gift box with a gift for each of the 12 days following 25th Dec which means you get to prolong the joy for your loved ones!
Check them out but be warned you may end up treating yourself – which is never a bad thing!
SOMETHING FOR COUPLES –
Buying for couples became easier when Kate set up A Year of Dates. Since then the business has gone from strength to strength with a variety of gifts to bring happiness through all 4 seasons.
Dates for couples, play for children, self-care just for you and additional boxes for special birthdays. Whatever the occasion make it a year of joy – these boxes are most definitely not just for Christmas.
You can have your boxes personalised, and a tip from us is to use the year of play to put inside your advent calendar so the kids reveal one activity each day which then lasts all of the following year – perfect.
SOMETHING REALLY SPECIAL –
If you are looking for a gift made with loving care then look no further than @HDYleather (Instagram) – this one woman business is an absolute fave of ours and her perfect goods are a must-have.
From make up bags to belts, key rings to beautiful beautiful handbags, how can you resist this one-woman slow fashion machine?
With prices to suit all pockets and the option to monogram your purchases, make sure you get orders in early because this lady gets fully booked super quick.
I have two handbags, a make up bag and a belt – I am not biased, this is truly exceptional fashion.
SOMETHING ETHICALLY WONDERFUL –
Everything’s Sweet Theads are a fab family business who beat the drum for female power and equality as loudly as possible from their Manchester base.
We have pics here of their fab Christmas releases but you should deffo take a visit to their website for fab tees and jackets for adults and kids alike. Peace on Earth will deffo been seen around our table this Christmas but equally all year round.
All their items are now either printed on up-cycled bases (Revived range of tees and jackets) on Earth Positive organic cotton, ethically produced and made in manufacturing facilities powered by green renewable energy, from low-impact raw materials.
They are designed to be worn forever.
SOMETHING TO KICK START 2020 –
As some of you may know, Alice and Hannah have been enjoying Witness The Fitness early morning sessions with Kate every Saturday since Jan.
They are fun, accessible, suitable for all ages and abilities and very reasonably priced. Kate has a timetable of classes set up across South Manchester with lots of choice. Why not treat someone – or even yourself, to a kick start to fitness in 2020?
With early morning kettle bells, personal training sessions, outdoor fun and classes indoors, as well as sessions just for 50+ there is something for everyone – no matter when the last time you put a pair of trainers on was. Special class pass prices start from £45 for 10 and Training prices start from £35 ph – block booking offers available. Family and kids options available too so you can all join in!
SOMETHING CRAFTY THAT’S PERFECT FOR STOCKING FILLERS –
Paper Town Crafts are long-standing OKS veterans and help us out at larger socials throughout the year.
They are also one of our party collaborators and you can order their fab party bags through our website. The must have end to any party – ditch the plastic and get creative!
These three pics show just a small variety of the wonderful array of craft packs available and our experience is that little ones of all ages love them! The perfect stocking fillers and something which parents and children can enjoying doing together.
While we all love getting out and about over the Christmas break, there is also time for being together indoors with a hot choc and a craft kit.
SOMETHING TO ALL SING ALONG TO –
David Gibb is a firm family favourite and he features every Friday in our Friday Kitchen Disco.
Yes you can get him on Spotify but seriously – buy the CD, play it in the car, play it in your kids’ bedrooms on an actual CD player. It is well worth the money – the artwork is fantastic, plus there are stickers and T-shirts – fab merch to go with the music!
There are two albums available – equally as fantastic as each other. Or why not get up close and personal and busy gig tickets to see David live next year.
A performer for all ages we guarantee you will be singing along in no time – whether the kids are with you or not!
SOMETHING FOR THE PERSON WHO HAS EVERYTHING –
Loola Loves is an independent retailer, born from a love of original designs, ethical production and supporting independent designers.
You can find a wider array of products on their Facebook page shop here. Gorgeous designs which are simple and attractive with must have patterns and beautiful shapes.
With gorgeous jewellery, stationary and stocking fillers, we guarantee you will find something even for those particularly hard to buy for relatives.
Badges, earrings, notebooks – gifts you hadn’t even realised you needed are waiting for you here.
SOMETHING FOR PEOPLE WHO LIVE LIFE IN COLOUR –
Happy Robin Clothing provide all the cool colour and slogans any family could ever need. Our kids have the ‘Together in Electric Dreams’ jumpers which are great quality and very reasonably priced.
These three designs are just a handful of what lies in wait at the website where there is a whole host of colour to splash all over your wardrobe!
Tees and jumpers, adults and kids, there is really no excuse for having a drab wardrobe this Christmas – bold designs and classic slogans, just what you need to bring a smile you your face!
SOMETHING FOR THE KIDS –
Olive and Oscar provide beautiful clothing at down to earth prices. Another Manchester family with lovely pieces like these three here – just a small section of their wider seasonal collection.
From babies upwards, all ages are covered with simple colour, clean lines and warmth for Christmas.
You can find out more of what they have on offer at their fab website and you won’t be able to resist the treats they have in store.
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