Holywood's high standards in selective shopping are maintained in Tesoro where there is an…read moreattractive selection of jewellery, furniture, textiles and gifts from which to choose something pretty for the home. I was in search of a present for a little girl - but not toys - and found some nice bedroom things like cushions and hot waterbottle covers which I hadn't seen anywhere else. The smaller items are on the lower floor as you walk in, and included a good choice of natural baskets. Upstairs is the bedroom furniture and mirrors, all very attractive, a bit luxurious but altogether it is not over the top expensive.

This is a lovely gift shop just off the main street in Holywood…read more I decided to look for a guest book for my wedding and have a noisy at their jewellery. They have a lot of furniture pieces, crockory, stationary and delph - also they have a wedding gift list function which I think is lovely if you know exactly what you want. They have a large wedding stationary section with beautiful unique cards, keep sake boxes and photograph books. I was able to pick up a guest book for all my mates to sign on the big day - I wanted one big enough to include photographs and luckily the books come in two sizes. I was pleased with the price and the service. As I was leaving I noticed a gorgeous little soup dish with a lid and a spoon incorporated into it - at £7.50 I rushed back in to buy it. I love it and used it for lunch a few days ago. This is a lovely shop to pick up something quaint and nice for your home or a gift for a wedding or birthday. I have no complaints at all.

In my quest to find the cheapest Yankee Candle melt in all of the greater Belfast area (see my…read morereview on 'Aroma'), I decided my next stop was to be Regency Gift House in Newtownards. Actually, that's a complete lie. I used to walk past this gift shop on the way to work, and would always note the china mugs displayed in a little wooden cart on the outside of the shop. So really it was sheer nosiness that brought me here. But we'll not mention that to anyone...ssshhh. Upon stepping into the shop, my eyes caught sight of the Yankee Candle display, in all its colourful glory. I immediately picked up a beautifully scented 'Fruit Salad' melt and glanced at the price - 95p! I'd found it! The cheapest Yankee Candle melt in all of Belfast, at just 95p. Naturally I had to purchase this alluringly aromatic Fruit Salad candle, just to add to the ever-growing collection of my mum's (think was no. 11 I purchased today). Oooh, it was a good feeling. Aside from the Yankee Candle collection, Regency Gift House has the most beautiful china / pottery / ornamental gifts for incredibly decent prices. Waterford Crystal, bronze figurines, Belleek pottery...it's all there. Oh, and by the way, the Yankee Candle melts are only 95p, just in case you missed that. It's going to take me a while to get over this fabulous news anyway...

I guess this is the kind of place where people go to buy people little things that make them smile…read morefor a while. Then the little things become dust gatherers and there is nothing I hate more than dust gatherers! I hate delph and trinkets and statues of dogs playing the guitar - you know what I mean. Other people do like this king of thing otherwise this shop would be gone. There is cabinet after cabinet of delph, candlesticks and silverware. Tyrone Crystal and Beleek pottery have substantial amounts of things stocked here. There is also a full wall dedicated to baby gifts like photo frames and little money boxes with 'baby's first baby box' on it. Two things always get me about this place. First of all they have quite a good collection of those little dinky replica cars, motorbikes and trucks. These are displayed in the front window and have been there for years. The range stretches from Delboy and Rodney's three wheeler to a Goldliner bus. Secondly, there is a wooden cart out the front filled with bone china mugs with a variety of images on them: dogs, cats, cows and rather bizarrely, those little dolls called golly-wogs - isn't that little racist image not illegal now? I'm sure it must be. Anyway, if you want a trinket or a little statue of a ballerina this is the place to go.

Heaven, absolute heaven. It's girlie paradise - Cath Kidson, Bobby Pin, Flutters and Fancies,…read moreAnatomicals and the like are all available in the form of mugs, toiletries, gift sets, accessories, bags, jewellery, and a whole lot more. Cute kiddies jewellery, toys and baby gifts attract the young un's, but apart from a few boys toys, it's strictly for the ladies. Colourful, cute and captivating...the little fellas won't be having too much fun in Urban Orchard. One young man summed it up rather nicely: *Sigh and mumbles* "Mummmm, can we goooo hommmmeee." He didn't get much of a reply from his mother, who was completely and utterly enthralled by the cute cupcake lip glosses. Sorry kiddo. As far as I was concerned, the whole shop was worth purchasing, but I settled on a Cath Kidson body lotion for a friend, and a bracelet for my sister. Popping my gifts in a gorgeous stripey paper package, and sealing it with a gold address label, the friendly sales assistant informed me that the stock is regularly changed and updated. Boy oh boy...I'll be back before you know it.

This is another pastel shop - everything is girlie and soft…read more They have a large collection of Cath Kidson beauty products which I haven't really seen stocked in many places around Belfast - I love the lip balm and so took advantage of the free testers. This shop reminds me of a place I always make a beeline for when I go to Brighton. It sells Ollie and Nic babies clothing which I always buy in England and didn't think I could get here in Northern Ireland. I'm really pleased to have found this shop as it stocks a wide range of toys, clothing, bits and pieces, jewellery and bags. You can pick up anything from key rings to bracelets that look like liquorice all sorts. All things that your kids would love, as well as the things you want your kids to love and the things that you love can be found in here. 'Tis a crackin' wee shop!

Ah, Emma (the previous reviewer) has hit the nail on the head. There's nothing wrong with Clements…read moreGifts whatsoever. The staff were really lovely ("Are you ok there girls?"), the gifts are nice, the jewellery is pretty, the prices aren't all that bad...but it's just like a hundred other gift shops. And I should know, I've been to them all. Just kiddin'. There really was no purpose in my visit, other than to have a browse and admire all the Pilgrim jewellery, the well-reduced Belleek pottery and the decent variety of Willowtree Angels. I was informed by one of the sale assistants that they regularly update their jewellery stock, which was good to know, but as its mainly seasonal stuff, I wasn't too surprised. I did find a cute little bracelet that I knew my friend would love, so I purchased that, and was even offered a free gift wrapping service which I happily availed of. Certainly couldn't fault the top-notch customer service, and the second sales lady didn't do too bad a job on wrapping front. She was certainly much better than me anyway. Not bad at all, but nothing really stood out for me in Clements. Shame, as it really has so much potential to be that little bit different...

How the many gift shops that I continue to stumble across in this city manage to keep going is…read moresomething of a mystery to me. Clements keeps up the well maintained standard of the various similar shops I have visited elsewhere. If anything stands out it is the high proportion of christening/new baby gifts there are to choose from, such as silver picture frames, a silver money box, sheep, angels, teddy bears, and Beatrix Potter ornaments. Otherwise there were cream china Belleek (I think) lamps and picture frames, crystal figurines of angels and many candles. There wasn't much that appealed to me but a customer was in the process of buying something while I was there, enjoying a chat with the pleasant staff at the same time, which shows there is a continuing demand for gift shops that cater for the traditional end of the market.

China craft is a lovely wee gift shop in Queens Arcade. It sells a great range of china, stone and…read morecrystal. If you're going to a wedding you can pick up some nice Bellek china, Waterford or Galway crystal and other beautiful Irish fine wear. They also sell the lovely Yankee candles and other smelly things, cards, teddy's, frames and other gift ideas. I love popping in here around Christmas to get some really nice gifts at affordable prices and it also comes in handy for birthday presents too.

China Craft is not so much a gift and flowers shop as a…read more'locally-produced-glassware-and-china-shop-which-make-for-lovely-gifts" shop. Phew. You can understand why its labelled the former, rather than the latter. Belleek pottery, made in Co. Fermanagh, and recognisable by the green shamrock which sometimes features on its giftware, is available in the China Craft, as is Tyrone, Waterford and Galway Crystal. Those 'not-quite-so-locally-produced' gifts include a ornamental angel collection, a selection of Yankee Candles, and my absolute favourite...Charlie Bears! Oh, they are just so cute. And collector's items. Not for toying with at all. I couldn't resist a cinnamon sachet, reduced to £1.99 due to it's seasonal association, and decided to purchase that. I almost did grab a Yankee Candle melt, only to be told it was £1.60. Eeeek. Be warned, it is a tad pricey. Completely ideal if you're looking for a gift / special souvenir from Northern Ireland, or not from Northern Ireland, as the case may be. You may even want one of those highly collectible Charlie Bears, with their cute fuzzy faces. Or maybe that's just me...

The second (really first really) of two Regency Gift Houses, this one is ever so slightly different…read moreto the Newtownards Shop. Not only is it bigger, but it is in fact adjoined to McCullough's nursery shop, and is therefore a sort of two-in-one store. Sort of, but not quite. McCullough's is, as I said, a nursery store - prams, baby furniture, accessories etc., and was opened by John McCullough over fifty years ago. His son is now managing the store, and has incorporated Regency Gift House into his own shop. [My dad went to school with David, they both grew up in Bangor and they share the same birthday, so this is all incredibly reliable information, I have been assured]. So despite my reviewing the Ards Regency Gift House, and later realising that there was one in Bangor, I felt I had to share my (dad's) expertise with the world. It is a lovely place though, and you could spend hours taking it all in - chinaware, glassware, ornaments, accessories etc. I love going in to have a look around, and the staff happily allow you to stand and stare. At the gifts that is. History lesson and review completed. Over and out.

This is a really lovely wee gist shop and an excellent place to visit for Christmas and more…read moreimportantly Wedding presents. They have a great range of glassware, chinaware, ornaments and other bits and bobs. The staff are really nice and after asking if you need help they carry on with whatever they were doing and don't stare at you until you are too uncomfortable to stay..as in some places. It's great! For tourists the Irish giftware is certainly worth a look and they also deliver which is handy! After 50 years of trading these guys are definitely doing something right!

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.

A really lovely gift shop however if you didn't know it was there you might miss it - lots of…read morevarious ornaments and a great selection of yankee candles - they also do the lovely kind of ornamental soft toys like designer dolls and bears! :) The staff are very helpful and pack things very carefully. It has a very welcoming atmosphere, however it could do with a bit more floor space - lol but i think this about most gift shops for fear of breaking something expensive! It is situated in the mini arcade beside Xtra vision however there is a charge for parking here but plenty of spaces.

This store is located beside xtravision and is a hidden gem. Most of the store at the front is…read moretaken up with yankee candles, and they have a small gift section at the back. The election of candles is brilliant, and they often do special offers or sales where you can pick up a bargain. Every month they select three candles to be candles of the month and you get 25% off them. You can also sign up for their loyalty card and every time you spend £10 you get a stamp. Once you get 10 stamps you get £10 off your next purchase. Its definitely worth getting one if you buy the candles as you don't be long racking the stamps up.