Winter won't quite be the same for many Mancunians without a visit to the Christmas Markets.
A trip to the city centre for a steaming mug of gluhwein or cold stein of Bavarian beer is a festive tradition that's been crossed off the calendar this year, like so many other events that have been cancelled due to coronavirus.
But one of the most popular bars at the markets and its suppliers have found a way to bring the fun to you instead.
Old Windmill House, which is normally based at the main market hub in Albert Square, has teamed up with suppliers Northern Wine and Beer Co, Morgenrot and Krombacher to launch a DIY Christmas Markets Drinks Box.
Delivered direct to your door, each box contains a five-litre keg of fresh Krombacher pilsner - that's just under nine pints - with a brewery-branded stein glass, a litre of premium quality gluhwein with a traditional ceramic mug, and a Christmas decoration.
Bjorn Thomas, from The Windmill House, said: "It’s a shame the huge number of Manchester Christmas Market fans won’t have their visit this year but it’s great to link up with our market community friends to offer the next best thing and raise money for charity in the process."
The boxes are on sale from Northern Wine and Beer Co's online shop priced at £60 including delivery, with £5 from each sale going to food distribution charity FareShare - which has been in the headlines recently for its work with footballer and food poverty campaigner Marcus Rashford.
Carl Plath, managing director of Morgenrot, said: "The Manchester Christmas Market has been a central part of many a family’s festive warm up and has created thousands of happy memories so we were determined to keep COVID from truly wrecking things, even after the cancellation.
"Together with The Old Windmill House and Krombacher, we’ve put together a selection of some of the favourite market items so the annual visitors can still have a mini Manchester Christmas Market celebration in their bubble.
"Through the donation to FareShare with each sale, we hope to showcase our support for this amazing charity, the important work they carry out and the praise we have for Manchester’s own Marcus Rashford.”
