5 Fun Ways to Celebrate Christmas with Your Flatmates in Manchester

Christmas in Manchester is a vibe! From twinkling lights to mulled wine galore, the city knows how to spread festive cheer. If you’re living in halls or sharing a flat with your friends, this is the perfect time to bond and make memories. 

During my second year at Manchester Met, my flatmates and I decided to decorate the flat before heading home for the holidays. We didn’t have a star for the top of the tree, but my friend did have a mini cardboard cut-out of Cole Palmer - which worked just as well!

Whether you’re staying in or heading out, here are five fun ways to celebrate Christmas with your flatmates in true Mancunian fashion.

1.    Host a Flat Christmas Dinner

First things first: nothing screams “flat family” like cooking a Christmas dinner together. Sure, your kitchen might not exactly be MasterChef-ready, but that’s part of the charm. Start by splitting up the cooking tasks. One person preps and roasts the turkey (or nut roast), another handles the roasties, and someone can brave making the gravy from scratch (or use Bisto – we won’t tell!).

If cooking sounds like your worst nightmare, go with a takeaway. Did you know Rudy’s Pizza ften has festive specials? Or check out Northern Soul Grilled Cheese for their Christmassy toasties. Pair your meal with some Poundland crackers, ugly Christmas jumpers, and maybe a quick toast to surviving the first semester of the year. Cheers to that!

2.    Explore Manchester’s Christmas Markets Together

You can’t be in Manchester at Christmas and not visit the famous Christmas Markets. Bundle up, grab your flatmates, and wander through the twinkling stalls dotted around the city. Albert Square might be under construction (RIP), but Cathedral Gardens, Piccadilly Gardens, and St Ann’s Square have you covered.

Split a Yorkshire pudding wrap, share churros dunked in chocolate, and argue over whether mulled wine or hot cider is better. Bonus points if you all buy matching baubles to decorate your flat – because nothing says Christmas like a random wooden ornament shaped like a reindeer.

3.    Flatmate Secret Santa: The Cheaper, the Better

Organise a flat Secret Santa with a twist: set a ridiculously low budget. Think £5 or less. It’s amazing how creative (or weird) people can get with limited funds.

If you’re feeling fancy, turn gift-giving into an event. Light some candles, play Michael Bublé on repeat, and make a big deal of opening each other’s presents. Laughing over silly gifts is guaranteed to bring you all closer – or at least give you some great Instagram stories!

4.    Have a Cheesy Christmas Movie Marathon

Manchester weather in December equals the perfect excuse to stay indoors. Transform your flat’s living room into a cosy Christmas cinema. Pile up duvets, fairy lights, and enough snacks to last a snowstorm.

Some of my favourite Christmas classics include Home Alone for nostalgia, Elf for the laughs, and Love Actually for that feel-good Christmas spirit. Feeling extra? Take a trip to the Great Northern Warehouse – their Everyman Cinema often screens Christmas classics with sofas and snacks included.

5.    Get Competitive with a Festive Pub Quiz or Games Night

The Christmas season is all about fun and games, so why not host your own festive quiz night? You can DIY it with games like “Name That Christmas Song”, or maybe host a PowerPoint night – where everyone gets to make a presentation of their choice (with absolutely no limits)!

Alternatively, head out to one of Manchester’s local pubs – many of them host Christmas- themed quiz nights. The Grovesnor on Oxford Road is a great shout for cheap drinks and good vibes. Or, if quizzes aren’t your thing, bring out games like Monopoly or Cards Against Humanity (just don’t let it end in flatmate feuds).

Making your own traditions

The best part about celebrating Christmas in Manchester is the mix of cosy traditions and big city vibes. Whether you’re stuffing your faces at the markets, roasting chestnuts in your flat oven (probably not recommended), or just singing “Fairytale of New York” off-key, this is the stuff you’ll look back on and laugh about later.

So, grab your flatmates and make the most of this festive season. Merry Christmas, and may your halls be merry and bright! 🎄✨