This Paperchase is an outlet within House Of Fraser. It's small but they seem to squeeze in a lot…read moreof products in to a small space. This store sells gifts, stationery and cards. It's kind of a girly Store with loads of photo books and bits and bobs you don't actually need. We went in to try and find a gift box and there was a whole world of possibilities. I couldn't believe there were so many options. The lady working behind the counter was really helpful and she even made a few recommendations. I'd recommend having a look if you're in Victoria Square.

So, I might has a slight obsession with stationery. So this place is right up my street, full of…read morebright shiny things. Which attracts a magpie like myself. The do a lot of quirky pieces as well a large range of cards and wrapping paper, art supplies and handmade paper. The handmade papers look great when used it a frame. A review and a tip in one. Who's that for multitasking.

Cards for occasions is a notion that baffles me...Ok I get that it is nice to say some thing nice…read moreto someone in the written word and for it to be on a piece of card that they can keep it and always have it. But their are cards that just take the mickey a little bit, especially as some are so expensive. Some of the more established card retailers are so expensive and we as the human race where probably led to believe if we wanted to send someone a card that there was no other option... enter card land...this shop has done for cards what pound land has done buying for portable bbq's. Birthday card for under a pound, yes please!!! now I can either decide to spend the money that I would have spent on a card somewhere else, either on the person that I am buying a card for or on myself...mmm...hard decision!!!

I don't know if I've mentioned it but I am doing this big balloon event? Last week at short notice…read moreI needed some helium, so I went to Cardland as they always have inflated helium balloons on display. Unfortunately they didn't have any helium at all to sell but the two members of staff agreed to help me fill up 50 helium balloons from the canister they had out the back. They showed amazing levels of customers service and couldn't have been more helpful. To be honest this is a store that I have never been to before, despite passing it loads of times. It's a tiny shop but they manage to cram in a lot of cards and gifts for any occasion. As mentioned, the staff are what makes Cardland stand out - they really went the extra mile to help me out! 5 Stars for them and 4 stars for the overall store!

Utopia is my first port-of-call when I know someone's birthday is coming up, or at Christmas…read moretime...you're pretty much guaranteed to find something in here you know that person will like. The variety is huge - massive wooden chess sets to quirky key rings and everything in between. There's nothing cheap or tacky, just beautiful gifts at incredibly affordable prices. The last time I was (it was only last week, due to their being a friend's birthday on the horizon), I was served by the most friendly lady I've ever had the pleasure of speaking to. She really was genuinely lovely, and that really made the trip for me. There's nothing better than decent customer service, and I definitely experienced some top class service that day. With some of the loveliest ranges in town, and wonderfully helpful staff, Utopia really is a must see...you won't be disappointed.

Yeah I have no complaints about Utopia. I'm glad there is only one of its kind in Belfast as that…read morekeeps the family who run it in trade and the customers flocking back. I love to go in at Christmas time as my mum has a thing for Christmas decorations and this is the best place in town to get a quality piece at a really good price. It houses such a mixture of goodies you could spend hours just browsing. There is a massive selection if ornaments such as statues of dogs, animals and fairies. They also have a large collection of really nice inexpensive costume jewellery. You can pick up anything in here from a rubber chicken to a ceramic panda. It is definitely the place to go for gifts of any sort. I was bought a poker set from here many moons ago and I still treasure it as although it wasn't really expensive it has the feel of a luxury item.

Paperchase is the sort of stationary shop I go into only to browse, but often end up buying…read moresomething, even if I don't need it. Sells cards, wrapping paper, notebooks, diaries, photo frames, scrapbooks, party items, bags, umbrellas, cases for glasses, gifts and some basic art/ craft supplies. A beautiful range of patterns, design, colours and textures. Plus lovely illustrations on cards and notebooks. Not the cheapest shop for such items, but the products are beautiful, which makes it hard to resist impulse purchases. Staff are nice and offer an option to sign-up for a "Treat Me" Loyalty Card at the till. This allows customers to build up credit towards receiving free treats and discounts.

If you're a stationary geek, you should definitely give this shop a visit! They have so many quirky…read morejournals and pens, and they are all of such high quality. Yes, the prices can seem a little steep but you really do get your money's worth. That staff are incredibly helpful and friendly. They wrapped up a gift I was buying and made me feel very welcome! Great spot!

Tiger is really just a modern 'junk shop'. It's a bright, light, contemporary space filled with…read morecheap, mass produced, predominately plastic 'Made in China' tat (yes, even though it's a Danish store). I think of it as being like a car boot sale full of random items including candles, nail files, beads, cheap craft and art materials, games, toys, coffee, spices, makeup brushes, napkins, sweets, yoga mats, hand wash, notebooks, novelty knick-knacks, pots, pans and picture frames. Despite the fact that Tiger peddle a pile of rubbish, I quite enjoy a good riffle through it. Since everything's so cheap I tend to lose my mind and am tempted to buy all I see. Thankfully, sense intervenes just in the knick of time, so I always manage to leave the shop empty handed. However, when I next need napkins, candles or a new yoga mat I might consider heading straight to Tiger. I envisage it as being a useful shop to pick up Christmas stocking fillers or novelty items to bulk out 'proper' birthday gifts - for people I don't like or for when I can't be bothered putting any effort or thought into gift buying. Much to my shame I must admit I do like Tiger, in spite of my better judgement. Thus is the seductive and dangerous appeal of such shops. After all, surely we need more plastic and rubbish in the world....or do we...

This is my type of shop! I wanted to buy everything and walking around gave me so many ideas for…read moreevents! Tiger really has everything - it's sort of like little snippets of life, that as quite a strange thing to say but what I mean is that it's not a shop selling specific products, it sells a little bit of everything. I saw craft items like canvases and paints, as well household gym equipment. It even had a gourmet food section. If you're planning a party visit Tiger. It's the perfect place to pick up novelty items like quirky straws and party games. Cost wise it's not expensive - the price tags are weird though - they try and encourage you to buy multiple items by pricing things as 4 for £2 for example. Even for singular items the tag says '1 for £10'. Strange. A few people have compared this to Ikea - I can see the resemblance - it oozes Scandinavian coolness. I loved it - was really quiet when I went in so I got to have a good nosey around.

There are many Clintons Cards around Belfast and NI in general. They have this magical skill of…read morelooking like the cheesiest places on the planet. But their necessary. Everyone needs to buy a card at some point and so, need to step in through their doors. When you get there it's best to quickly bypass the calenders of hollyoaks or big cats and head straight for what you need. The price range in these stores greatly varies. As far as I can tell they are all just bits of card but for some reason, some bits of card are more expensive than others. There is a huge selection and you'll always find what you need which means, you'll not have to torment yourself by looking elsewhere.

Guess what we have here? A card shop? Well done! But oh no, Clinton Cards sell much more than that…read more They sell an extensive range of From Me To You teddy bears (every girl loves them, I know I do!) as well as other cute, fluffy little teddies. Even still, their stock isn't limited to this, Clinton sell a range of gift ideas for many occasions. Think of wedding gifts, graduation ideas, birthdays, anniversaries, or just for that special occasion, you can be guaranteed that not only will you be able to get a card from Clinton, but you'll probably also spy any number of gift ideas while you're here. At the counter they have a supply of odds and ends you might have overlooked, as well as those 'oh buy me, while you're waiting in cue' ideas. Certainly a very well stocked shop which becomes insanely busy over the festive period as well as those other big days during the year, so beware for the extensive cues, or shop early to avoid all that hassle!

Oh wow. This is the kind of shop where your Mum says "Don't touch ANYTHING" (and mine probably…read morestill would given half the chance), and you're consistently pretrified of knocking into stands or attempting to pick up an ornament only for it to fall and break. And yes, I have been there and done that (not in this shop though, thank heavens). Mortification x 100. The walls are absolutely brimming with a huge array of gifts. The mind boggles at such variety, and in fact, I can't even remember what all was in Little Heart, but I think that's the beauty of it. I was in sheer awe and how much choice there was in such a teeny shop, but you literally have everything from goregous jewellery to fragrant candles to beautiful bags and accessories. I'm definitely popping back in for my sister's birthday, having heard the continous demands of "I want this" and "Oh, look at that", or indeed a simple "Oh my word!". Do pay a visit to this snug little shop, tucked away in Queen's Arcade. It truly is a hidden treasure.

Little Heart is a lovely little boutique shop in Queen's Arcade. It's great for birthday /…read moreChristmas / special occasion presents for any ladies in your life (I'm presuming most men wouldn't be too keen on most of the items in here, but I won't rule it out!) they sell a lovely range of jewellery, knick knacks, purses, teddies, note books, writing sets and so on. They also have a great range of kids toys and items. As mentioned previously, they sell the Pilgrim range (sometimes at great discount) and my personal favourites from the shop are the Sesame Street teddies, and the amazing new range of home ware which includes notepads with '1980s style laptop' written on them or coasters with 'elbows here' or 'protect the table!' etc. It totally appeals to my sense of humour. Take a wee peek in to this lovely little Aladdin's cave.

I have a lot of friends and family member who seem more excited by the card and its witty lyric on…read morethe front. So in order to meet their needs I go to the Cardhouse. As its name might suggest it deals mostly in cards for all occasions and for quite cheap as well. There are hundreds to choose from and I've spent quite a lot of time wondering through it's aisles. The selection is fantastic and you'll not find a bigger one in Belfast.

Well the name of this shop is pretty self-explanatory. Birthdays, anniversaries, and all other…read morenotable events... you'll get cards for them all in here. You'll also get the usual array of accompanying items, like soft toys, mugs, and things like that. What you will get in Cardland that you're unlikely to get anywhere else, is selected cards for 59p. With Clinton's cards and Birthdays being such prominent players in the cards and birthdays marketplace, it's not hard to see that the competition for this huge market can be intense. Add into the mix the likes of Moonpig (where you can go online and personalise your desired card with photos and animations that they have on offer, or you can upload your own, as well as being able to write your own personalised verse for the card - they can deliver to you or to the recipient's address), and the convenience factor alone has High Street card retailers sweating, never mind the fact that the whole process costs little more than it would to go into a card shop. So, anyway, they have selected cards for 59p and that's a bargain. Obviously 59p won't get you cards where you can record your own message, or where Yoda will be wishing someone a happy birthday (although they do have those fancy-type cards), but what do you want for 59p?