Santa stop here! Local Christmas gift guide for one and all
Support local with these gorgeous gift ideas (and, uh hum, spot on suggestions for gifts-to-self) from indie sellers and makers around Cheshire – ready, set, shop!
In the bag
Because let’s face it, you can’t have too many bags. And this macrame beauty by Maison Bengal is big enough to stash all your knick knacks and bits and bobs from markets and meetings and manic school runs. Available from Northern Quarter-pitched Nordic Muse.
£50
Code red
Insta colour queen @goodmannersstyle is the creative eye behind her collection of silky, ribbony headbands. Take your pick from leopard print, neon pink, or for those vintage Christmassy vibes, stick to this deep red number for that technicolour Christmas gift.
£48
Good as gold
Gold jewellery is still very much en vogue. Especially simple and contemporary pieces that can be worn with anything, like this effortless and delicate priya coin pendant necklace from Stockport’s Still Life.
£25
Glossy locks
I mean, who wouldn’t want to escape to a Japanese head spa, having their hair and scalp massaged, primped and preened? This is exactly what’s on the cards at Headspa HQ – a luxurious and holistic space in Chester that puts your locks centre stage.
£100.
What a racket
Padel is sweeping across the UK with new courts popping up here, there and everywhere. Over at The Padel Club on the Handforth Bypass, they’ll sell you gift vouchers which can be used towards court time, rackets, merch or post-play tipples.
Prices vary.
Snuggle up
Swing by Homebird in Heswall and you’ll want to gather up half the store in a sack, handing out its fragrant candles, cute coasters and home accessories to all your besties. And if you’ve a pal who loves cosying up to cashmere, this scarf (available in grey or camel) is just the ticket.
£19.95
Box of tricks
Plastic tat begone! Danish-inspired Maileg are the fabric mice characters for tiny hands to dress up and tuck away into their matchbox beds. Available from Scandi-inspired Detaljer in Knutsford.
For art’s sake
Former journalist Eric Jackson is the creative genius behind Statement Artworks, a collection of witty retro-style posters taking the mickey out of pockets of Cheshire and Manchester. We love them all but ‘This is not a barth, this is a bath’ has got to be one of our favourites. Oh and the Wilmslow poster: ‘Superior beings are resident there, with mansions, ferraris and very big hair’.
£30.
Light up
Ooh get your pjs and slippers on and light up one of the delicious Them Fork Candles. Made over the border in Lancashire but sold across markets in Cheshire, these sustainable and vegan coconut wax candles come in all sorts of fragrances, but their wintry collection is undeniably cosy, including Gingerbread & Clove, Christmas Pine & Fir and Peppermint & Cacao.
£8.
Walk the line
There’s nothing twee about the tea towels from Christopher Walster – a hugely talented artist who conjures mugs and postcards, tote bags and tea towels emblazoned with his line drawings of skylines of Manchester, Stockport, Sale, Liverpool and more. He’s available for commissions too.
£15
Pot luck
Just when you thought you had enough vases, you spot this Chairs & Pears number from Manchester-based Sorrel. Handmade, abstract and totally unique plus it’s a bargain, too.
£26.
The scrunchie
Forget what Carrie said about scrunchies in SATC. These frilly silk plum scrunchies from Three Storey Design are too pretty to pass up, whether you’re looking for stocking fillers for your teen or on trend hair accessories for your bestie.
£20.
Fashion darling
You know that super stylish pal of yours? The one who seems to know what’s cool before everyone else with an ear to the ground in everything fashion? Get her a gift voucher from pioneering sustainable brand Beaumont Organic and she’ll love you forever.
From £10.
Soap up
From Peanuts + Magpie, this all-pure, all natural, cold-pressed soap is printed with Snoopy and scented with Elemi wood, fir and moss. Like wallowing in a hot bubbly bath in the midst of a wood. Gorgeous. And from our fave, Old Town General Store in Stockport.
£6.95.
Into the cosmos
We’re still in the throes of snuggle season. And this cosy cosmos sweater for kids from Milk Teeth is lovely and warm and itch-free. Available in sizes from 1-2 all the way through to 9-10 from indie store, Still Life.
£45.
Happy hamper
We can’t pull together a festive gift guide without mentioning a good ole Christmas hamper. Over at The Cheshire Mercantile in Wilmslow, a one-stop-shop for craft beers, charcuterie and cheese (much of which is all locally produced, naturally) they’ll let you build your own.
£35.
Hey cutie
I mean, why wouldn’t you want to unwrap this face? Made by design duo, Nicky Jones and Sue Cragg of Cragg Jones Clay, this small bud glazed vase was created in their studio in the Manchester Craft and Design Centre – an absolute must next time you’re roving around town.
£46.
What’s cooking?
A prime cut for culinary chums, The Wild Grill Experience at Millington Hall introduces foodies to all things BBQ, from pig butchery and meat seasoning to sausage-making and open-fire-cooking. Nab one of their experiences for your foodie-loving friend.
£142.50.
Life in glitter
These sequinned capes are made for starry-eyed kids who love a bit of sparkle. But hands up who wants one of their very own to swing over your shoulders? From craft queen, Jenny Burr, of Signed Sealed Delivered who is also the go-to for personalised Chrimbo PJs, fluffy bobble hats and glittery ear muffs.
£22.99.
Put a ring on it
Specialising in crafting simple and wearable designs, Verve Jewellery was dreamt up by designer Hannah Noble who tinkers with silver and gold in her garden studio. The result it a timeless collection of bangles, rings and necklaces inspired by simple geometric shapes and structured Art Deco design, and we totally loving this delicate circle ring.
£27.
True colours
A velvety soft make-up bag from pattern designer Louisa Powers, who can often be found grinning behind her gloriously colourful stall at The Market Co. Plus a whole kaleidoscopic collection of pencil cases, bookmarks, velvet cushions and purses adorned in her designs.
£19.95.
Bottoms up
We are brimming with gin distilleries in Cheshire. But perhaps the most famous is Three Wrens thanks to its perenially popular (and award-winning) apple crumble gin. Order a bottle of this and you’ll also be sent a free mulled apple crumble cocktail kit, for those lazy, hazy Twixmas get-togethers.
£39.
Necessary evil
Evil eye bracelets are supposed to ward off evil, sending negative energy back to the person that summons it. But even if you don’t believe in all the airy fairy side of them, these handmade bracelets from luxury piercing and tattoo studio, House of Tor, make a gorgeous statement pressie for your jewellery-loving chum.
£35.
