Gifts Galore is crammed with fun and one of those shops where you don't know where to look first…read more There's everything in here from soft toys of all sizes (even those excellent giant Hello Kittys that I'm really not allowed to buy because it's silly), to stationery, hair accessories, socks, mugs, posters, and make up. And everything has that awesome Korean twist to it, so if you need stickers of your favourite K-pop artists, here's where you head. The staff don't speak heaps of English but they are really sweet and approachable, and I'm sure their Korean is top-notch! When I had trouble figuring out if the alarm clock I bought there would play music or not (I really can't stand that end-of-the-world beep beep beep of doom), they unpacked the clock, put batteries in, and demonstrated it for me. Now that's good service.

I have been coming here for over a decade, just because you get older doesn't mean you have to grow…read moreup. Gifts Galore has just that, a lot of gifts, packed from wall to wall with cuteness. There are two sides to the store, one mostly stuffed toys and the other is stationary. Everything from pens and notebooks to mini staplers and writing paper, you will find it with Winnie the Pooh, Hello Kitty of Miffy the Rabbit all over it. The fun doesn't stop there, umbrellas, earphones, bento sets and flasks, absolutely everything. Gifts Galore also boast an impressive range of scented pens. If you haven't written with ink that smells of oranges, you're missing out. Such a fun shop, great for the young and young at heart.

I think I may have just found my new favourite gift shop - introducing Matchbox Studios!…read more Matchbox Studios originally started up in Wellington three years ago, where they are a large art and crafts store plus an art gallery. I recently discovered them on Instagram and saw that they were opening a store in St Kevins Arcade on K'Road (full of exciting things). I was so thrilled because it is a seriously awesome shop! It is a haven for all things colourful, whether it be art, jewellery, stationery, books, candles or homewares! I loved everything I came across in Matchbox, but here is a taste of what you might find: - Funky colourful cards (for example the Koala dressed in a Hawaiian shirt) - Range of art prints, including skulls (yay!), famous people, grumpy cat, etc. - The Beatles tea bags (check out the picture!) - Candles and soaps (all with very nice scents) and - Colourful cups, straws, plates and napkins - perfect for picnics or parties at home, plus so much more! The shop assistant was friendly and she was really happy when I signed up to their mailing list. How could I not - everything at Matchbox is fabulous and fun! So, if you need a gift or want to decorate your room with bright colours, then I highly recommend you visit Matchbox Studios today - I am sure you won't be disappointed!

Acquisitions is like a gift store on crack. Seriously, it's packed with so many things to buy…read more Almost too much. You can find yourself walking around the store for way too long faced with too many options to choose from. First world problems, I know, and in many ways less is more. In saying that though, it's the perfect place to go for a present for someone who has everything as there is so much stuff to choose from. It's situated in the Albany Westfield Mall and there's an entrance right buy the store. This means you can park pretty much outside and save yourself running all over the mall. You just need to make sure you drive over to the Cinema side of the mall and enter from there. It's a great place to go if you need a present, something to cheer you up or an hour to kill while window shopping.

I'm probably sexist in believing that girls enjoy gift buying more than men, however men are…read moreprobably the better gift givers, it's the process we hate so much. Maybe we fear buying a bad gift, and that's what inspires us to spend so much time and effort. Shopping for gifts is a torture like no other, but I've narrowed down my gift-buying destination to one, Acquisitions in Albany. This shop caters for all ages, differing tastes and even crosses the cultural barrier with ease. No matter the occasion, or the person on the receiving end, the gifts you can get here are of high quality, and for most instances, inexpensive too. My birthday is coming up soon, please feel free to shop for my gift at Acquisitions, they've got my approval.

Presentz is exactly what it sounds like - a great place to find unique, funky, quirky and New…read moreZealand-inspired presents! Presentz is so full of fantastic goodies it is almost overwhelming. I literally don't know where to look first, and suggest just starting in one corner and slowly making your way through the glorious products. Funny, artistic cards. Patterned, oddly shaped pillows. Beautiful umbrellas. Tea towels donning Kiwi icons such as the Four Square guy. Fragrant soaps. A mish-mash of random kitchen utensils. The eclectic mix of knick-knacks and curios in Presentz will inspire and delight even the most particular of customers. Sometimes buying gifts can be a real challenge, but stores like Presentz make it a real breeze. In fact, I thoroughly enjoy myself every time I enter this store. Everything about Presentz screams 'a good time!' and the staff ensure this vibrant fun atmosphere is maintained by being consistently chatty smiley people. Make sure you pop in to Presentz next time you're looking for the perfect gift! Bonus: Located in the Grey Lynn shops, there is lots of on-street parking available, and it's free!

Small in size, big in variety! Presentz is definitely the place to go if you're looking for a…read morequirky present. Always has something new to look at, even on a weekly basis, and many of the items are made in New Zealand. Free gift wrapping as well. Really friendly service every time I go in there. Always my go-to place for that last minute present. Love this place!

The oldest souvenir shop on Queen Street…read more Surprised that there aren't more souvenir shops in the Central Business District. Kiwiana has stood the test of time. Proudly representing Auckland since 1953.

From the owner: The oldest souvenirs store on Queen Street since 1953. We have a wide range of New Zealand made…read morewood carvings and hand made jade products from local studios.

I don't really know what I was expecting from this store when I walked in. Maybe a shop full of…read moreelephant crafts. Elephant shaped things? Are there any elephants in this store? The answer is no, I couldn't find any. On the bright side they do have some other nice things that aren't elephant related. Lots of little knick knacks and crafts all specially handcrafted by Homegrown artisans. Now that can't be a bad thing! It's a really good place to come if you are looking for a very 'kiwi' gift to send to friends and families overseas. And there's a whole lot of kauri/ wood ware. I mean a WHOLE lot. I think maybe they should rename it to something with wood in the title. It might be more reflective of the product they do actually stock.

An absolute nightmare…read more I was excited when I read the reviews and decided to visit. However, when I shipped over $500 worth of gifts it arrived poorly packed and completely destroyed. It has been months and they say they will reimburse me, but never followed through. Also found their exact merchandise for a fraction of the cost elsewhere. Feel completely ripped off. Do yourself a favor. Go somewhere else!

Recommended by Harry the concierge, and we found Lisa who was so helpful & knowledgeable. I'm…read moresorry we didn't start shopping for gifts here, this is the place! We found perfect gifts and all kinds of tchotchkes that say New Zealand to bring home. They were very reasonable things for under $10 and exotic large things for much more, lots of price points and beautifully made unique items.

Wonderful collection of decorative items for the home, jewelry from local artists, woolens and more…read morein a light bright uncrowned space. Delightful shopkeeper. A go-to spot for gifts.

If you need to buy gifts for anyone, then this is the place to go. You can browse around, and there…read moreis nobody looking over your shoulder. The store is laid out for a quick stock turn around, leaving one item on show and the rest packed in boxes ready to become much loved gifts. I have yet to enter this store and not find a suitable gift for anyone and everyone. They stock vases, bowls and home decor pieces. During the Christmas period, they were selling the most beautiful decorations you could find, and they were cheap as chips. Initially I thought they were just opening up to cash in on the Christmas gift rush, but this outlet store's popularity is making them it the one stop gift shop on the Shore. The lady that served me offered to wrap my gift, a service that adds to the five stars they've already achieved.