In the Market for Mothers' Day Gift?

So how are you going to make yours feel special? A mass-produced high street card and gift from a faceless chain store? The same gift set you've bought her for the past five years running? Thought not. If you're looking for a gift as unique as she is this year, why not take a look at some of Manchester's markets?

Now we'd never normally condone leaving your gift buying to the last minute, but if you can save your Mother's Day shopping until the eleventh hour you'll be richly rewarded by the Piccadilly Craft and Gift Market's diverse range of gorgeous gift choices.

The market, located in Piccadilly Gardens on Friday 1st and Saturday 2nd of April, provides the ideal opportunity to pick up a last minute Mothers’ Day treat. You'll be seriously spoilt for choice, with more than 30 stalls selling a huge range of gifts from homemade fudge to handmade jewellery, wooden carvings to cupcakes and body and bath product to funky homeware. For something really special, we suggest you head to Pure Indulgence's stall, where you'll find a selection of luxury aromatherapy products to spoil your Mum rotten with on Mothers’ Day. because, let's face it, we all love a good pamper.

You'll also find a selection of handmade gift cards at the market, so put all thoughts of long queues in high street out of your mind and give your Mum something beautiful and unique to display on the mantlepiece.

But The Craft and Gift Market isn’t the only place to find great Mothers’ day gifts. For fashion savvy mums who already know the high street collections like the back of their wardrobe door, the Tib Street Fashion Market will happily oblige with a completely unique outfit or accessory to freshen up her Mother’s Day look. Taking place every Saturday on Tib Street (next to Debenhams), the fashion market is a sumptuous boudoir overflowing with gorgeous vintage threads, new clothes by local designers and loads of vintage and hand-made accessories.

If you don't trust yourself to pick your Mum something to wear, take yourself along to one of the Street Markets around Manchester's suburbs each weekend, where you'll be spoilt for choice for Mum-friendly gifts. You'll find brand new street markets in Levenshulme on Friday 25th March and West Didsbury on Saturday 26th March.

If she's a bit of a foodie, all the better, because the street markets feature an overwhelming selection of high-quality food produce including home made chutneys, chocolate, cup cakes, macaroons and cheeses - many of them available in attractive gift boxes and hampers. We love Choco-Lori's hand made Belgian chocolates, decorated with special Mothers’ Day messages. Or for something really unique, treat your Mum to a box of pretty macaroons from The English Rose Bakery.

If you’re a supporter of more sustainable shopping practices, why not pay a visit to the Fairly Traded Market which will be open on Friday 25th and Saturday 26th March in Piccadilly Gardens? You’ll be able to pick up all sorts of ethically sourced produce from bags, purses, jewellery and basketware, to scarves, wall hangings and wooden carvings.

And of course it's not Mothers’ Day without a lovely bunch of flowers. But we're not talking pre-packaged supermarket bouquets or ready-to-go online specials. Take a little time to browse the weekly Flower Market in Piccadilly Gardens (even more perfect if you're about to hop on a train or tram to visit your Mum) where you'll find a range of exotic and traditional cut flowers, potted plants and even bonsai trees. Or pay a visit to the Arndale Market’s resident florist Ellamia, open every day. These traders are all seasoned flower experts so will be able to advise you on the blooms your Mum will love and make you up a bespoke bouquet that will be completely original to you and your Ma.

So there's no need to scour the high street this Mothers’ Day. Get yourself along to any of Manchester's specialist markets, and support great local businesses by buying your Mum a gift that's as unique as she is.