Manchester Goes Market Mad

Nothing says Christmas quite like high street shops bedecked with multicoloured tinsel, twinkling fairy lights and all things glittery. But sometimes all of this can be a bit of a sensory overload. And of course, the hordes of swarming panic buyers, long queues at the tills, overwrought shop assistants – not to mention the obligatory grumpy looking children – don’t exactly scream Christmas cheer.

But there is one way to inject a little natural sparkle into your shopping, and that is to perhaps spend less time on the high street and instead seek out the many little Christmas markets that pop up at this time of year – there to help make your shopping a bit more of a joy.

With no less than five Christmas markets springing up around Manchester’s city centre over the months of November and December, there really is no excuse to ever give another pair of novelty socks or bubble bath gift set to your nearest and dearest. The Arts and Crafts market offers interesting bijou little trinkets, each one handmade and individual. While the German market has a range of traditional gifts and some delicious foodstuffs, guaranteed to be a little bit tastier than a dodgy chocolate selection box. There is also the traditional Christmas market, World market and the European market – all offering so much choice.

And the best thing about these sweet little markets is that they also offer a bit of a budget alternative, being that the products are often being sold direct – so it helps cut out the expensive middle man. So, while it has become more financially difficult in recent times, you can easily spend a little less this year and no one will even notice.

In fact, the real worry during the current credit crunch is not the present buying issues, but the news that people plan to spend an average of 12% less on socialising over the festive period. So, to counteract this doom and gloom, why not organise a mass trip down to Manchester with all your friends and family and vow to have some good old-fashioned fun. It can be your Christmas gift to yourself.

Indeed, it seems like a smart idea to take a weekend break down to Manchester and turn your Christmas shopping into a mini holiday. As such, all the markets are centrally located, so all that is left for you to do is book yourself into one of the many Manchester hotels that are available and look forward to having some festive fun. And while you are there, you can enjoy taking in the sights of this bustling metropolitan city, whilst indulging in the rich market experience.
—
Adam Singleton writes for a digital marketing agency. This article has been commissioned by a client of said agency. This article is not designed to promote, but should be considered professional content.