Manchester

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Alternative guide to Manchester Christmas shopping

The shop-front baubles have been hung. The lights have been switched on. And it‘s only a matter of time before the masses descend on Manchester, shoving you out of the way as they trolley-dash tinsel, mince pies and bobble hats. That‘s right, the (shopping) nightmare before Christmas has begun. But before you decide to bulk buy your Christmas presents online, read our guide to festive season shopping. Open-air markets, one-off crafts and a spot of ice-skating can take the hassle out of shopping – heck, you might even enjoy it this year…

Hot punch and talking reindeer

Christmas market in Albert Square

Forget sweating it out in the Arndale. The city centre hosts some of Blightly’s biggest and best outdoor Christmas markets. First stop is Albert Square, where kitsch wooden chalets cluster around the Town Hall. Although there’s a fair amount of tat on sale (flavoured fudge, overpriced ‘authentic’ French pastries), it’s hard not to get in the festive spirit. Stallholders flog jewellery, crafts, bags and booze, while the German theme means there’s enough hot punch, meat sarnies and roasted chestnuts to keep the cold at bay. Twinkling lights and Christmas trees aplenty add to the atmosphere. There’s even a giant talking reindeer – mounted onto one of the chalets – that’s great for stunning tantrum-ing toddlers into silence. Further into town, stalls huddle around St. Ann’s Square and up into Exchange Square.

Manchester Christmas Markets Albert Square, M60 2LA (www.manchester.gov.uk/markets). November 15-December 19; daily 10am-9pm. St. Ann’s Square, M2 7LF (www.manchester.gov.uk/markets). November 15-December 19; daily 10am-8pm.

Jane Adam's Leaf Necklaces

All that glitters

Trudging round Albert Square on a winter’s day can be a chilly experience. Luckily, you can nip into the Town Hall and drool over the Dazzle jewellery show while you warm up. Here, over 50 of Britain’s top designers display all kinds of contemporary jewellery – from statement pieces to funky, enamelled silver charms. Grainne Morton (shortlisted for the 2007 Jerwood Applied Arts Prize) sells her distinctive vintage flower brooches, while other makers combine gold and silver with wood, stone and paper. Prices vary almost as much as the jewellery on display, but Dazzle remains a Christmas shopping favourite for anyone after bejewelled presents.

Dazzle Town Hall, Albert Square, M60 2LA (www.dazzle-exhibitions.co.uk). November 3-December 30, Mon-Sat 10am-6pm, Sun 11am-5pm (except December 24, 11am-4pm). Closed December 25 & 26.

The Manchester mafia

Bracelets by Ophelia Button of Manchester Craft Mafia

In the ‘80s and ‘90s craft markets meant pressed-flower place settings, knitted baby booties and embroidered doilies. Perfect for Grandma but not considered present-worthy by anyone else. This year, the newly formed Manchester Craft Mafia prove that contemporary crafts make for covetable and unusual gifts. The Craft Mafia has teamed up with Urbis to run two markets during the Christmas period (one in November and one in December). Expect paper goods, soft toys, ceramics, textiles and jewellery – all with an urban, Northern Quarter-esque twist that makes for must-have purchases for anyone under the age of 35. Purses and bags are made from vintage fabrics, for example, and jewellery from chunky retro buttons. And, while you’re in Urbis, the gallery shop also stocks jewellery, cult publications and local history books.

Craft markets Urbis, Cathedral Gardens, M4 3BG (605 8200/www.urbis.org.uk). November 3 & 4, 11am-4pm, December 1 & 2, 11am-4pm; free. Urbis is open Sun-Weds 10am-6pm, Thurs-Sat 10am-8pm; free.

SC Blue Segment Vessel

Precious things

It’s hard to believe, but the Craft Centre – tucked away in the Northern Quarter in a glass-roofed Victorian market hall – celebrates its quarter century this year. The Centre is home to eighteen dinky shops and studios that sell photography, fabrics, furniture and jewellery, and it’s worth noting that many of the studios work to commission if you’re a) organised and b) determined to buy a truly unique present. To mark its 25th birthday, the Centre hosts an exhibition of work by some of the UK’s best silversmiths. Silver features glittering homewares and utensils that you won’t find at Home & Bargain. Candlesticks, salad bowls, dishes, napkin rings and even cake stands – all hand-crafted from silver – are on sale, with concrete, rubber and acrylic adding the odd quirky touch.

Silver Craft & Design Centre, Oak Street, M4 5JD (832 4274/www.craftanddesign.com). Until January 12 2008, Mon-Sat 10am-5.30pm (open Mon-Sun 10am-5.30pm during December only).

Year-round craft shops

If you really can’t bear the Market Street masses, the city’s museums and galleries provide welcome respite. Manchester Art Gallery and the Royal Exchange have small but sweet shops selling trinkets, books, posters, jewellery and stationery. In the Northern Quarter, the Chinese Arts Centre’s teashop is the ideal place to flump – it’s wonderfully peaceful and the enormous window’s perfect for people watching – and you can browse their little shop from the comfort of your seat (see our preview of Boutique). Up the road, the Richard Goodall Gallery stocks music posters, art and illustrations, while Bamber’s sells vintage and bespoke furniture.

Manchester Art Gallery Mosley Street M2 3JL (235 8888/www.manchestergalleries.org). Until January 27 2008; 10am-5pm Tue-Sun; free.
The Royal Exchange St. Ann’s Square, M2 7DH (615 6767/www.royalexchange.co.uk). Shop open Mon, Tue, Thur, Fri 9.30am-7.30pm, Wed & Sat 9.30am-2.30pm & 5.30pm-7.30pm; free.
Chinese Arts Centre, Market Buildings, Thomas Street, M4 1EU (832 7271/www.chinese-arts-centre.org). 10am-6pm Mon-Sat, 11am-4pm Sun; free.
Richard Goodall Gallery Thomas Street, M4 1NA (832 3435/www.richardgoodallgallery.com). Tue-Fri, 11am-6pm, Sat 11am-5pm; free.
Bamber’s Hilton Street, M1 1JJ (www.bambersartspace.co.uk). Mon-Sat 10am-5pm (note: sometimes closes early); free.

 

Piccadilly Gardens' ice skating rink

Ice skating in Piccadilly Gardens

Shopping complete, you can afford to make time for a little festive fun. Ice-skating is back at Piccadilly Gardens. A 250-capacity ice-rink returns for a second slippery year, with Kro providing an on-site bar (presumably as alcohol numbs the pain when you inevitably go lace-over-skate on the ice). Failing that, you can sit in any one of the bars that skirt the Gardens and giggle at the hapless office workers whose bosses thought team-building Torvill and Dean style would be a good idea…

On Ice at Piccadilly Piccadilly Gardens, M1 1RG (www.onicepiccadilly.com). November 8 – December 20, Sun-Thur 11am-9.30pm, Fri & Sat 10am-9.30pm, December 21-January 7 2008, Mon-Sat 10am-9.30pm, Sun 11am-9.30pm (closed December 25), £7.50/£6.50 concessions/£5 children under 12/£20 family ticket.

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