A co-operative Christmas

It's coming up to the most festive time of the year and, here at The Enterprise Hub, we’re keen to celebrate the very best goodies available from co-operative organisations across the United Kingdom. So, for 2010, we asked our Twitter and Facebook fans to help us with a guide to the gifts and presents you could get your loved one from co-operatives throughout the country.

If you're looking to feed the family over the co-operative Christmas, drop into Manchester's Unicorn Grocery for a wide-range of ethical and fairtrade produce. You can find another co-operative grocer in Slaithwaite in the form of The Green Valley Grocer or, if you're in the mood for an online shop, visit the Fairtrade Co-operative, which stocks a range of ethical produce.

The Busy Bee Toy Shop in Chorlton is the perfect place to find a gift for your little ones. This co-operative has been providing toys for new-borns and toddlers since 2009. Alternatively, if you know children who like to cycle, make sure they're seen this winter with cycling products from BrightKidz; armbands, stickers and bags are all available.

Saddleworth Craft Cooperative on Delphi, Oldham, have an excellent collection of locally made gifts, including paintings, embroidery, jewellery and pottery. Meanwhile, a monthly subscription to 3rdi Magazine, the UK's magazine for women in business, costs just £1.50.

You can now buy community shares for local Manchester football team FC United of Manchester. The shares scheme is a part of the fund-raising package to help the club to develop their own ground.

In the co-operative clothing stakes, you can visit Ethical Girls, who stock a range of ethical (and fashionable) clothing. Shares are also available. If you’re looking for ethical underwear, pop across to Who Made Your Pants, a worker co-operative in Southampton. Have a look at their collections on their site.

If you have any other suggestions as to co-operative gifts, let us know.