Gadgets with style is what this place mostly does. That means things like clocks embedded into…read morechrome blobs, much cooler than I've described, and fancy corkscrews. You can easily spend thirty quid here if you've got a thing for shiny things, and can be easily pursuaded that you have to have that toast holder/MP3 player/candle stick. They've got a few cheaper things, with some pretty looking mugs last time I went. Certainly not cheap though. This place is pandemonium on a Saturday morning. Apparently what people like to do with their weekend is window shop and queue up a lot. Since is the sort of place you'll want to have a chat with the shop assistant before you buy anything, don't come here then. Cool and shiny, About Face is the place to get sleek and expensive bits and bobs.

This garish gift shop on Cotham Hill is enough to put any boy, or un-girlie girl off just by the…read morepinker than pink paint on the outside of the builder. But once you're inside its glittery doors you'll find a whole host feminine gifts to make you cringe either further. There's birthday cards, candles, soaps and bath bombs in abundance here to buy for cutesy girls, mums or girlfriends. Sadly I just can't seem to see past the pink and have over visited Soukous twice. But there's no denying that they do gifts for girls like no other shop in Clifton.

Another little business on Cotham Hill which is kept alive by the Student Loans Company, Soukous'…read morebright pink facade draws in the anxious males looking for girlie gifts and girlie girls looking for pink paraphernalia. If you're looking for fairy lights or fancy quilts, this is a great place to come. Also, Soukous stock Banksy cards if you fancy sending a Bristolian greeting to a friend. My personal favourite are the jelly bean candles, they've come in useful a few times!

Well, I have to say this is probably by favourite shop in the Clifton Arcade, right at the entrance…read morein prime position, Village make good use of their window - making sure to grab many a wandering eye! I was first pulled in by the umbrellas, but my attention was held by the whole host of pretty things lining the shelves. To be honest, it is one of those shops were there are lots of things you want but nothing you really need! And as much as a liked the shop, I wasn't tempted quite enough to actually buy anything. Most things seemed a little overpriced too but they did have some nice little bits and pieces that would be easy to send in the post as presents.

A busy looking shop at the entrance to the Arcade - this works nicely at enticing you into the…read moreArcade but often disappoints me once I'm inside the shop. It has lots of middle-class arty gifts for friends and their children, but I have never bought anything in here. Their greetings card selection is very good though. Annoyingly named Village, since it is in Clifton Village, which makes it impossible to look up online!

My favourite ever clothes brand (or it would be if I could afford to ship it over here) is US…read morebased ModCloth. Joy is my UK fix of something similar - vintagey, vaguely overpriced new clothes that are different from what you see in Topshop or Primark (although not so different it's not fashionable). I am a fan. Cute studded pumps share shop space with oversized key necklaces and all the lad's stuff has a sense of humour and an appealing indie edge to it (I like boys dressed that way!). I am currently in love with a cheap thing - bright tights for 6 quid, and an expensive thing, a grey lace coat for £180 they have on display. Love, life, laughter indeed (as their motto goes).

With beautifully bright and colourful window displays I never manage to walk past Joy in Clifton…read morewithout popping in. It's not a place to find a bargain, with dresses around the £45 - 60 mark, but it is the shop to pick up something bang on trend, yet unique. They seem to specialise in shiny, sparkling dresses and floral scarves, although they also stock comfy pumps, tiny clutch bags and retro jewellery. I must confess I rarely buy anything here, and tend to feel a bit anti-climatic after each visit. Even though everything Joy stocks looks fun and interesting, there's nothing so special that would cause me to pay the pricey prices. Great for the odd stocking-filler gifts, if your friends appreciate mugs with slogans and novelty shower caps - which mine do!

Hidden away to the side of Clifton Down shopping centre, you'll find Inca; a girlie gift and…read morejewellery shop. Feminine gift shops tend to fall into two categories; one that makes girls want to buy things for themselves and ones that boyfriends rely on for gifts for their girlfriends. Inca falls into the latter category. This is a reliably safe shop for boys you want to pick up a pretty (but expensive) piece of jewellery, or who are in pursuit of a meaningful birthday card. But girls, if you're looking for a gift for your friend, or a treat for yourself I'd sooner head to Bloomsbury or Iota.

A great store that offers gifts for others and treats for you! As you walk in on the left there are…read moreloads of fantastic cards. There are some with beautiful art prints, a lot of very funny cards and most importantly for me, lots of very original ideas and designs. Inca has a huge range of cards and one for every occasion, all cards are of a good quality, I spent a long time just looking at all the cards - there were so many to choose from! The store has lots of great gift ideas too; candles, scarves, stationary and some gorgeous packaging to wrap your gifts in. The only thing to bare-in-mind is that Inca does not accept card payments of less than £5.00. On the right hand side of the store are a set of jewellery counters housing some lovely sterling silver pieces. Inca is one of the only places offering this sort of jewellery in this area (especially with the recent closure of High-Ho-Silver on the triangle); lots of very interesting designs with heavy silver pendants, bangle and rings with aqua and amber stones. I could easily while-away the hours in this store, and come out with bags of stuff! This review is mostly the opinion of my girlfriend, I tend not to buy much silver jewellery.

I absolutely love Iota on Gloucester Road for having all the quaint charm of Bloomsbury with the…read moreprice tag of Habitat. This family run business is fully stocked with sweet espresso cups, floral make up cases and pretty purses as well as other beautiful girlie house hold items. It's the perfect place to pick up gifts for feminine friends or to treat yourself to needless but attractive. Always busy with window shoppers, but there's always a friendly sales assistant at hand when you need them.

Like a cheaper (in a nice way) Bloomsbury, this is a mix of kitsch and modern gifts, books and…read morehomewares in one lovingly presented shop. Perfect for fitting out your boudoir or your kitchen if you, like me, prefer to bake than wash up. I had a lovely potter through here and came out with some unique wrapping paper and a vintage-inspired apron by local seamstresses Flo-Jo Clothing. Definitely one for the ladies who shop only, boys would easily get bored with the chintz.

This is a rather fun little store on the little island of shops down Bath's main drag - it's the…read morefirst one you come to when walking down from Waterstones, if that helps. It sells a range of whacky and colourful things from bags and odd bits of clothing to stationary and umbrellas. In fact, it's one of those perfect places to get something for a birthday present, as all the stuff is fairly unique to this store, as far as I can tell, and it's always quite fun to play with or look at. The young staff let you browse to your heart's content - always a bonus nowadays - and are on hand with help picking out the perfect gift if you need it.

This is such a fab shop!! You cannot go in without spending…read moremoney, I have lots of kitchen stuff from here. Great for unusual things that noone else has.

If Photoshop were to personify itself as a traditional British gentleman then this is probably the…read moresort of place he'd run. Everything about this place has that sort of modern yet classical chic design look to it. If you know what I'm on about you'll probably love it down here. From kitchen wares to cookery books to candle holders this place has everything the modern housewife (or husband) could wish for, all with a sort of bold and colourful twist to it. They also have a wonderfully easy to use website with all their kit on display so maybe the best thing to is check that out, as opposed to imagining a bold, colourful, modern and chic Photoshop man.

A bright and modern gift shop perfect for the yummy mummy friends in your life. They had a wide…read moreselection of Orla Kiely and Cath Kidson items which should help you gauge the style here. Think pink and pretty with a dollop of vanilla ice cream and cherries on top. Over two floors, if you are buying for children check out downstairs for some interesting kids toys and games. However be warned - I did have to leave after 10 minutes because I was beaten into submission by the incredible tweeness of the music. Any more and I would have started swearing and smashing things just to get the status quo of the universe back into kilter.