The Orange Tree is a small shop filled to bursting with stuff. Not a chain store, it's one of those…read moreplaces you will find that gift fir the awkward aunt or favourite friend. Definitely one to look in if you are in the area.

I like this place a lot! It is like a wonderland, even if I don't need to buy anything I like to…read morepop in and see what's there:) And it's not a chain, which means that a lot of things are unique and I don't have to wonder whether I'm bringing the same birthday gift as the person next to me!

Blue Turtle is a small, inexpensive gift store selling everything for pigs in skirts, to dog…read morestatues to tea cups. The prices here are really low ( a piggy bank for 2.99), a ceramic nearly life size dog for 15 pounds and I have often seen sales here. This store does great one of kind presents like ethnic jewelry, and unique vases. If you are looking for a present to reflect a personality and you want an inexpensive truly unique gift, have a look here.

As I was venturing down the street of the Angel market, I noticed a shop unique and unlike any…read moreothers in this area. Great home decor items and holiday gifts. The shop was welcoming and the owners sister is running the newly opened space. I'm thrilled that I found this shop and can't wait to see it flourish. Don't wait too long to stop in!

Dropped in here to grab a quick gift for a toddler and was astounded by the wide range of quirky…read moregifts and toys they stocked for people of all ages, ranging from wooden replicas of iconic London vehicles and buildings to wine lights (lights in the form of corks which gave us a good excuse to finish off a bottle of wine so we could try it out) to animal-shaped lights (a perfect talking point for your lounge). Items were priced quite affordably - the wine light was £10, while the London building blocks was around £15. The sales assistants were nice and chatty the day we dropped in, and happy to help us wrap our gift for no extra cost (as long as we paid for the wrapping paper). They also had really nice, cute wrapping paper for kids in the form of Mr. Men wrapping paper. That was a big hit!

Neat shop with a variety of interesting items and great card selection.read more

I just love CK! I'm so into birds, flowers and lovely prints. I have loved this brand for years! I…read morecan stay in CK's shops for hours! The only negative thing is that is a little bit overpriced now that she is getting more and more famous (but it is OK. A girl can never have enough bags!) I visit this shop frequently. It is quite small but it is really cosy and cute. They have a nice range of products (even though they miss some others, like fashion). The staff is friendly and really helpful every time I go there. My favourite CK shop for sure!

The outside of this shop isn't the most inviting, since it's painted all black. Never mind, inside…read moreit's a treasure trove. Somewhere between a charity shop and a posh gift store, there's masses of unusual stuff. Clothes, ornaments and nick nacks. Everything from a graceful pottery hand to a skull ornament, via lots of glittery stuff. It's the sort of place that the longer you look, the more you'll find. The owner is lovely and friendly, great for a chat. They also do sales on eBay. Pop in for a browse and you are sure to find something you'd like. It's definitely a place for discovering hidden treasure.

This sweet little shop in Stoke Newington has a great selection of gift idea's, ribbon's and…read morewrapping paper. Almost everything has been designed by the shop owner's themselves so you can expect to find a lot of original and unique item's. Personally my favourite item has to be the mugs printed with 'I LOVE STOKEY' which I think would make a great present for anyone in the who lives in the area. It's important to point out that this shop isn't all about novelty and stocking fillers. Most the cards and wrapping paper are stylishly understated and there is a large selection of posh toiletries and candles too. Though it might be a bit expensive for me to buy my wrapping paper from Early Bird every time there is a birthday on the horizon, I would definitely recommend it for the occasional special gift.

It wasn't until I went on their website that I realised that the people behind Earlybird not only…read moresell their wares, but also design all those wares themselves. (well, not everything, but a lot of the bits in the shop) They sell their own designs- brightly-coloured illustrations and repeated patterns of butterflies, birds, dinosaurs and animals- on occasion cards, blank cards and wrapping paper. There are a number of fun gifts such as 'I love Stokey Mugs' and novelty moustaches as well as more sensible presents such as moleskin notebooks. The two men who work there are lovely and very funny- they spent the half an hour I was in there arguing about Doctor John and who should do the washing up that had been there for three days. Far nicer than Paperchase.