With the triple whammy of the Euro Championships, the Queens' diamond Jubilee and the Olympics,…read moreCarly's is another shop window decked out in Union Flags, as well as cushions, wine glasses, trinket boxes and bunting in red, white and blue. Having spent a lot of time this spring in small touristy villages that are rife with gift shops, I have seen enough variations of the Keep (insert almost ANY word here) and (something else, something else), phrase to last a thousand tired life-times. It is then with GREAT caution that I open to door to Carly's. Phew! She's a far classier bird is Carly than to bow down to populist cliches. There are some lovely gifts in here targeted at yummy mummies like wine caddies in the shape of high-heel shoes, frog prince ornaments and make-your-own-in the-shop craft facilities. A wide range of home furnishings, interior design, and objects d'art all beautifully displayed with taste, style, and elan. A large warehouse at the rear of the shop stocks larger furniture items. Carly's also offer a bespoke interior design service and if the layout of the shop is an indication of this you know that your money will be well spent.

A card emporium is the way I would describe this store. Through the first part of the store you…read morecome to a kind of corridor that leads to a very small back section of this shop. This fairly wide corridor is stacked full of greetings cards of all shapes, sizes and costs. You really would be hard pressed to not find the card of your choice here. The rest of the shop stocks gifts and home decor products that you might find of interest. They also stock some furniture. But for me it was all about the cards. A great selection.

Smithsonia is an exceptional jewellers and gift shop based in Birmingham's Piccadilly Arcade. They…read moresell many things from gorgeous silver jewellery to Japanese Kokeshi Dolls and amazing sculpted pieces in ceramics and glass. There is something for most budgets in this shop and it's a great place to browse. I bought some cute button earrings for just £10 but there are plenty more extravagant gifts, believe me! You could spend forever just gazing in their windows as you walk past; there is so much to see - it must take them forever to clean! They do beautiful and unique silver rings by up and coming jewellery designers as well as pieces by established brands such as Pilgrim. Every time I walk by I can find at least 15 or so items in their window that I want to buy; I'm sure everyone else can too which is why they are so successful. Smithsonia are the longest running business in Piccadilly Arcade, they've been there for around 30 years. If you are looking for a gift then definitely check them out first and impress your loved one with something a little different.

A wonderful independent gift, card and jewellery shop. If you are looking for a birthday or…read moregreeting card that is a little different to what you might find in one of the chains this is a good place to start. Their collection is not huge but you will definitely find something a little different. They also stock fabulous gift wraps and papers. To entice you into the shop the window displays are made up of some beautiful and unique silver jewellery. Again, here you will find pieces you can't find anywhere else. If you are looking for special pieces of silver jewellery at fairly reasonable prices start with this shop. Inside the staff are welcoming and very helpful.

This card and gift shop has an extensive range of gifts and cards and the staff are extremely…read morefriendly when you need help trying to get the perfect card for the occasion! Parking is free which is always a bonus and you can also normally park close to the entrance for those that struggle to wht around.i would recommend anyone to this store for great value and brilliant choice across the board!

From the owner: Whether you are celebrating a special occasion, or are searching for a thoughtful gift for someone…read morespecial in your life--Special Occasions Online Gift Shop has something for everyone on your gift list! Special Occasions is the passion project of a mother and daughter team who has proudly served the West Midlands community for over 20 years. Our personalised specialty gifts have been such a smash, that we began offering our unique gifts online too.

Jenny Wren Gallery isn't really an art gallery, nor is it a gifts & cards shop; it's a bit of both,…read morebut at the same time, the shop is impossible to catagorise. Mainly because the store sells some of the most unusual items that I've ever seen. Jenny Wren is absolutely jam-packed full of surprises, from odd little Russian Dolls, to tiny little shoes made from jewels, to really detailed puppets. It's probably not advisable to bring children into the shop, because a lot of items, (including the puppets) have 'do not touch' signs on them; and there are quite a few breakable objects around the store too. I literally could've bought all of the puppets, especially the Henry the 8th one. Each puppet is amazingly crafted. Okay, so they're a little pricey, but well worth the money. The outside of the store looks a little generic and stereotypically, highbrow 'gallery-like'. I think the shop could entice more customers to view the wonders inside if it dressed the store front more funkily, in order to reflect the products sold. One thing I will say, they could so with cutting back on the perfume smells in the shop, I'd appreciate that greatly. I couldn't get the smell out of my nose until the next day - it nearly knocked me out in the shop too!

Now this little tearoom only opened today. I was one of the privileged few to have stepped through…read morethe doors of this amazingly quirky and colourful venue. The theme is inspired by Alice in Wonderland. Not surprising really, considering the owner/proprietor also has a gift shop called Mad As A Hatter directly opposite! The tearoom, aptly named The Tea Party! (what else!?) is very child friendly, with high and low chairs, with pushchair & wheelchair access, two toilets (one of which is also the nappy changing room) a selection of reproduction, upcycled, ornate seats and chairs to choose from, it provided a cornucopia of dizzying delights to bombard the eye with an original look to an otherwise oft neglected part of Bearwood. As a stand out, it really provides a change from the generic high street cafes and as an independent cafe/tearoom. It's going to offer a "library" where patrons can simply read or work on their tablets/laptops or other electronic devices, a "gallery" for local artists and photographers to display and sell their work, craft workshops and rooms to hire to either demonstrate/teach "crafty" things or simply have a small party! The whole concept or venue really offers good value for money and can easily become the creative community hub of Bearwood. Watch this space! It's open 9.30am until 5pm.

If the Alice in Wonderland inspired Tea Party was in Los Angeles it would have a cult following and…read morelines around the block. As it is, in Bearwood, would you believe, it is a fine place to while away an hour with a friend over a pot of tea or coffee. A lot of imagination has gone into making this a fun and relaxing place to be - from the pretty tea pots leading to the entrance, to the delightfully mismatched furniture, hand painted cups and cuckoo clocks! When I was there, the coffee was really kinda lovely and Santa was in there too, taking a tea break!

Among the delights that Armadillo sell are gifts, cards, and Fair Trade Jewellery. Lots of their…read morestock is Fair Trade in fact. The best feature though is the arts and crafts materials that they have, at the back of the shop. A browse though them is sure to inspire the most uncreative amongst us to want to whip something up in a makeshift kitchen workshop. They sell a few Lomo cameras too and I've often been tempted to part with some money for one of these beauts. Originally designed in Russia to be used by spies to take pictures in low-light conditions, they produce prints with an atmospheric and unique character. Armadillo also have hundreds of designs of different beads. When I was in the shop a small girl was stood on a chair while she and her mum both made necklaces, while they both chatted away as the morning sun slipped round the corner and in through the shop window. Worth taking a peek in here past the shop display, as there is more in here than immediately meets the eye.

Based on the Poplar Road Armadillo is a gift and craft shop that is the sort of place I would have…read morehappily spent all my pocket money in as a small child. It certainly seems popular with girls of a certain age who are drawn to the vast selection of beads they sell here. For those of you not immediately drawn to bright and glittering things Armadillo also offers a range of arts and crafting items as well as giftware such as mugs, coasters, home ware and notebooks. I was rather touched on my last visit to hear the lady who runs the shop explain to a teenage lad who the 'fella in the beret' on the mouse mat was (Che Guevera of course...good old Kings Heath)

This shop should be called 'Bargain Card Shop' because it's the best shop for a fabulous bargain…read morewhen it comes to gift cards. Basically, you could walk in this store with 35p and manage to walk out with a birthday card or anniversary card, basically whatever type of card you're looking for. It's ace!! You are granted that you'll be able to find what you are looking for because they have such a large range. The lady who works in the store is lovely; she's so helpful! I've never received such brilliant customer service from someone in a gift store. I remember the day I walked in; I was in a huge panic because I'd forgotten to purchase a birthday card for a friend. So, as I was walking through the market, I decided to pop in and buy a card. Managed to walk out with a card which I bought for 50p....what an absolute bargain!!