great toy store that usually has lots of good offers on.read more

Cheap cards for all occasions - you can't say much fairer than that. If you hate spending your hard…read moreearned pennies on corporate greetings, then the Card Factory will mean that you get to keep at least a few more of those pennies in your pocket. Most of the stuff in here isn't exactly outstanding quality, but you might be surprised by some of the offerings given the price tag. They do a pretty good range of cards for Birthdays - and of course they'll capitalise on any public holiday to the maximum. If you still need to get your paws on a Mother's Day card, then you'll be bound to come across something cheap and cheerful in here, just don't tell your mum how much it cost.

'Compare the quality...Compare the price...' The Card Factory is certainly a competitive chain…read morestore, but then again it has every right to be. Unlike many other card shops, this place doesn't take the piss when it comes to card prices. You'll have no problem finding a half decent card here for under a pound. I say half decent since the quality of many of the cheaper cards aren't great, but what do you expect? And lets face it: most people bypass the card in favour of the adjoining present (if they're lucky enough to get one) anyway. Here you'll find cards for all occasions, from birthdays to christenings to condolences. Gifts such as soft toys can also be purchased.

If you want to go to Blooms Garden Centre how about making a day of it and looking round the Craft…read moreVillage attached. In the Craft Village there is a diverse range of craft outlets to look round. For the budding artist there are a couple of ceramic painting places where you can chose a plate or ornament and spend an hour or two happily painting away. There is a canvas printers, phtographers studio and sand art. There is also a butterfly house and a small kids soft play centre. If you fancy a break there is a cafe too so all in all the makings of a lovely day out.

This is a hidden gem in Swindon. It is situated at the back of a garden centre, just off of…read morejunction 16 of the M4 motorway. I would say that it is a brilliant place to take children for something different. There is a children's play area in the middle, where the children can play whilst you take a break and have a cup of coffee. All around the play area are small retail units, specialising in lots of different craft things. You could for example make a piece of pottery. Children could make a handprint. You can buy things like knitting wool and get advice on what you need. There is a photographers where you can have professional photos taken and there is also Butterfly world, where you can wander amongst lots of butterflies.

I recently went into this shop to help my daughter choose a bear for her second birthday…read more There's a massive choice of stuffed animals - although without their stuffing they can look a little creepy! Once you've chosen your animal there are lots and lots of bear outfits to choose from, including some gorgeous Hello Kitty branded clothing. The staff are very friendly and great with kids. My daughter was able to 'help' with the bear making process. The bears are a little pricey but they're great for a special occasion, such as a birthday, christening, graduation or even just to say I love you. Kids love it!

Our visit to this store situated in the Cribbs Causeway shopping centre will always be remebered by…read moremy children. There was a huge range of teddy bears to stuff, and both my son and daughter found their perfect teddy bear which they helped to stuff and put a heart in. They also had their birth certificate after choosing a name for their new teddy. The teddy came with a box to go home. Since then we have returned often to buy the odd outfit for the bears. The bears are of good quality and have worn extremely well. The average bear can cost between £19 to £30 and outfits around the £10 mark so this can be a bit pricey, but I must say mu kids havent forgotton it and still talk fondly of their visits.

My lord, i love crafty shops. This is like a mecca for…read morecrafty people! I've shopped around for various craft supplies and hobbycraft isn't as expensive as i thought it would be, it has the added bonus of being all under one roof. I don't agree with previous comments that it's a shop for lazy people, if you are short on time then it's the best place. Smaller more personable hobby shops which are lovely will inevitably be more expensive and smaller in size including options for stock so it depends what you are after. i used to buy online from independent sellers but you do get less for your money and if you are intending to sell your items you create like i do, every penny makes a difference. Another good place to check out is local garden Centres, would be surprised the things i've found! They sell an abundance of Christmas crafts, ribbon, buttons, pendants, beads, modelling craft, decoupage, flower arranging, kids crafts and art work, cake decorating icing/ materials and that's just down stairs! It does get very bust on weekends, deducting a star for the times i've had to wait in the que for half and hour or more. They do seem to lack the correct number of staff in my opinion but the staff they do have are helpful as can be. If you are just starting off looking for a new hobby or unsure where to go with some craft ideas, just go for a visit, your not obligated to buy anything. You'll get 1001 ideas and inspirations :)

Hobby Craft is basically a craft shop for lazy people, who don't really take craftwork that…read moreseriously. For if they did they would almost certainly shop around and get things cheaper, better and more specialized. For what it is though (craft shop for lazy people) it is pretty good as they have a wide selection of materials and pretty much everything you need under one roof. I have to admit using this one in particular as it is nice and big and I know they will have the specific item I'm looking for. If only the prices were that little bit cheaper. Sorry, scrap that, if only the prices were a lot cheaper, it would be a pretty good chained store. As it stands at the moment it is quite frankly a rip off.

Named after the song in one of the most wonderful yet tragic motion pictures of our time (with just…read morea hint of sarcasm there), Hakuna Matata is Easton's head-shop - your one stop for all that is associated with smoking dope, getting high and the Rastafarian community. In this shop you can find all the expected grinders, papers, lighters, stash boxes and magazines affiliated with marijuana that you would expect, plus a few extras you may not have thought of. They have a very broad and wonderful smelling incense and scent collection for starters, and a good collection of Indian-based art postcards. More gems that I found (excusing the pun) were some healing crystals and the guide books to go with them. This isn't just a collection of getting high tat, but rather a well thought out stock of gifts and treats based around a more relaxed and easy going way of life.

Not just another " head shop " But an amazing gift shop also offering craft and clothing from many…read moreparts of Africa, Urban clothing at reasonable prices, greeting cards, sandals, jewellery including body piercings, and of course the biggest selection of smoking paraphernalia in Bristol, A one stop experience for all your gifty needs, Llewsob

The second The Entertainer in Bristol - find the original smaller store on the edge of Broadmead's…read moreshopping centre next to Boots. This one is bigger and feels like it is verging on Toys R Us territory - more plastic and brands than a feel that you are in an exiting toy shop. Staff are helpful at finding you things - understanding that I had no idea who Ben 10 was (but my nephew knew him very well - phew!) which is just as well as after a few circuits in here you tend to give up. Just not fun. Still, it is still better than Toys R Us.

A delightful children's toy shop on a street lined with toy shops!…read more It doesn't take much imagination to guess what the toys are made of, and the wood they use is of the finest quality. Down to the Wood stocks everything from jigsaws to children's chairs so you're bound to find the perfect gift for the perfect little 'un. Given the quality of the items on sale, the toys here are relatively cheap and you'll be able to find a present to suit your budget. And for the grown ups there's also a limited range of household gifts, jewellery and kitchenware.