This festive season, Macclesfield Nub News is on a mission to encourage the community to do their Christmas shopping on the high street.

That is why we have put together this handy guide to some of the very best independent enterprises you can find in town.

Below, you will find a list of businesses that offer something for everyone, from handmade crafts and second-hand treasures to immersive experiences and locally brewed beers.

We've included all the key details you need, including what products they offer, where you can find them and most importantly, who they have the perfect present for.

Check out the Macclesfield Nub News Christmas Gift Guide below (Credit: Dick's General Store)

Gifts

Makers at the Market

Owners: Ali Williams and Steph Harding

What they offer: A diverse selection of unique, hand-made items made by wonderful local makers.

Perfect gift for: Anyone in your life who appreciates a thoughtful, extra special gift. From artwork to woodwork, crochet to candles, macrame to mugs, decoupage to decorations, embroidery to earrings. There truly is something for everyone!

Where they can be found: Macclesfield Market Hall

BubbleBeez

Owner: Laura Barnett

What they offer: Handcrafted unique bath and body products suitable for all skin types.

Perfect present for: Everyone, but especially children.

Where they can be found: Scents & Sassology on Mill Street / Pop-up at the Corner Stall, Macclesfield Market Hall, on November 29 / Various events including Beech Hall School Fair, Bollington Christmas Fair and the Twilight Market

Dick's General Store

Owners: Leigh Jennings and Dick Vincent

What they offer: Cards, prints, gifts, books, candles, homeware, vintage, clothing, kids toys and loads more. They manage to squeeze a lot into their little shop! 

Perfect present for: Lovers of the outdoors, difficult to buy for dads and boyfriends, children who love books and crafts, and people who love a more thoughtful local gift.

Where they can be found: Entrance to Picturedrome, Chestergate, SK11 6DU / Treacle Market / Picturedrome Christmas Markets on November 27 and December 11

Modern Woolfare

Owner: Brian Painter

What they offer: Handmade wool and waxed cotton gear, crafted with care and built to last. Books, stoves, cast iron cookware and hand carved spoons, in addition to wool clothing, canvas bags and leather goods.

Perfect present for: Young adventurers and old and everyone in between.

Where can they be found: Picturedrome, Chestergate, SK11 6DU

BubbleBeez will be attending many local events in the run-up to Christmas (Credit: BubbleBeez)

Homeware

AfghanPure

Owner: Waheed Farooqi Zargar

What they offer: Exquisite cushion covers, stunning jewellery, and natural crystals—each a meaningful and authentic gift from Afghanistan.

Perfect present for: Those who love handmade products.

Where can they be found: 3 Queen Victoria Street, SK11 6LP

Lobby

Owner: Laura Taylor

What they offer: Vibrant homewares, gifts, stationery and cards, carefully selected from the very best UK and international designers. Books, artwork, ceramics, glassware, stationery, candles, incense, jewellery, cushions, blankets, bags and much more.

Perfect present for: Lovers of design and colour.

Where can they be found: 112 Chestergate, SK11 6DU

You can find a wide variety of festive treats at the indoor market (Credit: Makers at the Market)

Food and drink

Wincle Beer

Owner: Giles Meadows

What they offer: Bottled beer, real ale boxes, merchandise and gift vouchers.

Perfect present for: Craft beer lovers.

Where they can be found: Wincle Brewery, Tolls Farm Barn, Wincle, SK11 0QE & Treacle Market

R&G's Beer Vault

Owners: Rosie and Greg Start

What they offer: A huge range of beers from both traditional and modern, independent breweries from the UK, Europe and all over the world. A modest selection of craft spirits and wines as well as gift cards for any amount that can be used at their shop in Macclesfield or bar in Congleton.

Perfect present for: Anyone who likes a drink.

Where they can be found: 2 Market Place Events - Step Into Christmas, Twilight Market, Treacle Market

R&G's Beer Vault stock a huge range of beers (Credit: R&G's)

Books, comics and games

Quiet Cat Bookshop

Owners: Suzy Prince and Ian Lowey

What they offer: A wide variety of books, many at low prices. Also many gifts for both adults and children, often with book-related themes

Perfect present for: Perfect gifts for bookworms, children, family, friends

Where they can be found: Grosvenor Centre, opposite Timpson's

Room for Comics

Owners: Marc and Jane Jackson

What they offer: Comic books and lots of comic art merch such as mugs, framed art, stickers, cards, totes, tees and badges! They also run regular comic art workshops and have vouchers available for those which make a great gift too!

Perfect present for: Comic book-loving 6-12 year olds, with some great titles for older readers and adults too. Vintage comics, and some super rare finds you can only get at Room for Comics! It is a perfectly curated centre for comics in the North West!

Where they can be found: Just off King Edward street, above the back of Flour water salt

The Hodgepodge Wizard

Owner: Josh Dean

What they offer: Board games, card games, trading cards like Pokemon and Magic: The Gathering, discounted Warhammer, paints and hobby supplies and roleplaying books.

Perfect present for: Anyone, with games for all ages and complexity levels. Both Warhammer (being a creative hobby) and board games (being a more social hobby) are great ways of keeping people off screens and spending time with the family.

Where can they be found: Macclesfield Market Hall

No Christmas shopping list is complete without a good book (Credit: Quiet Cat Bookshop)

Gift cards and experiences

Havoc VR

Owner: Mark Wainwright

What they offer: Gift cards that can be redeemed for free roam VR, interactive gaming wall, arcade tokens and café food and snacks.

Perfect present for: All the family; mums, dads, sons, daughters!

Where they can be found: Adlington Business Park

Pause Creative Studios

Owners: Amy Ward and Greg Todd

What they offer: Gift cards for self-portrait photography sessions

Perfect present for: Everyone! family shoots, pregnancy, newborn, personal branding, content creators, pets.

Where they can be found: Duke's Court, Mill St, SK11 6NN

Rolph & Co Photography

Owners: Gavin and Jenni Rolph

What they offer: Photoshoot experience vouchers. The £49 gold voucher includes a family photoshoot, viewing appointment and £100 credit to spend on images/products. They also offer a range of framed, printed and digital options to choose from.

Perfect present for: Everyone! From mums-to-be to large multi-generational family groups, and they welcome pets too!

Where they can be found: 21 Back Wallgate

Why not treat your loved one to an experience at Havoc VR (Credit: Havoc VR)

Charity shops and more

East Cheshire Hospice

What they offer: A specially curated selection of high-quality pre-loved clothing, furniture and more. Every visit is more than just shopping — it's a chance to uncover hidden treasures and unique gifts that make the season special.

Perfect present for: There's something for everyone! From clothes, accessories, furniture, toys and more! Not only that, every donation and purchase helps generate vital income to support patient care, making your festive finds even more meaningful.

Where they can be found: 95 Chestergate, SK11 6DP and 8&9 Thornton Square, SK11 7XZ

You can help support a brilliant cause by buying your present froms a charity shop (Credit: ECH)