Have you ever wanted a remote control robot, or mustache-shaped cookie cutters, or scrabble tile…read morerefrigerator magnets and not been sure where to source such fabulous items. OOOOOOH man, do I have the store for you! Opus is a haven for everything fun and whimsical for your home or office. They have a spectacular toy section with something to make anyone grin from shoulder to shoulder. From stationary, to crockery, I dare you to stop in here and NOT find something for yourself or a friend. How do you feel about a mouse pad that looks like a mini rug? How about a reusable lunchbox in the shape of a giraffe's face? If there was such thing as death by cuteness, this store would be wise to line the back with hospital beds and IVs. Nurse, stand by... she's just spotted the teacups.

Oh, I love this store. It's so much fun. It's like a toy store for adults... (actually rereading…read morethat it sounds wrong).... well think more along the lines of fun awesome prezzies you want to give your friends for their birthdays - because your gift reflects positively on you. Opus is situated on the top half of Oxford street and contains a wonderful array of books, cards, homewares and novelty items. It's all quite classy so even if you're getting a "Captain Ketchup" ($12.95) squirt your tomato sauce gun, its designed so beautifully your house will look better for it. Prices vary as they have a mix of chic and cher. Whatever your budget you're guaranteed to find something you like in this shop. There is a HUGE range - many colours with many different options. I always stop by this store to find something special for my friends. The stores been around since 1968 and I sincerely believe all those years of finessing purchasing has paid off. Friends, if you want to buy me a birthday present - I can recommend anything here....as for everyone else - I promise you, discovering this store is my gift to you....

I love the cards, the books, the gift wrapping paper, the jewelry, the soaps... pretty much…read moreeverything they stock in here. If you are looking for something unique and quirky, this is a wonderful shop to visit. They'll even gift wrap your items for you. Another Newtown gem. A must visit anytime I'm in the neighborhood.

Where else can you find quirky book titles…read more(http://yelp.com.au/biz_photos/qUwMo_ehjAcq3QRu58nfAQ?select=3BfrHgYU-JPUd8VE63urDQ), a stack of journals (http://yelp.com.au/biz_photos/qUwMo_ehjAcq3QRu58nfAQ?select=hq1Rm0TOTs-eUpeU3_Du_Q) and colourful homewares by Mud (http://yelp.com.au/biz_photos/qUwMo_ehjAcq3QRu58nfAQ?select=RpBmC-yA9LUS7TJBS2zYlQ) all under one roof? As far as I'm concerned, nowhere else. Pentimento in Newtown has got it all. Pentimento is one of those places I go when I need to buy a gift of some description for that friend who already-has-everything-and-is-so-darn-hard-to-buy-for. Unique and eccentric, you can guarantee to find a present that no one else has thought of - 'The Moustache Grower's Guide', anyone? There are things that will make your friend laugh, inspire them to create, give hints on their travel destination or provide them with something beautiful to display in their home. Whatever the case, if you ever find yourself in a situation where you don't know what to buy someone (or perhaps you would like a self present), wander through Pentimento, it is sure to stimulate some original ideas.

They had a nice selection of papers but outlandish prices. I picked up similar quality at Dymocks…read morefor about 1/2 the price. The staff didn't even acknowledge our presence. There was a sign in the window announcing store closure in Feb. 2018, so check before you go.

I love stationery. Leather bound notebooks, journals of all shapes and sizes, felt tip pens,…read morepaperclips, cards, - you name it I love it and want it. It's been a fetish of mine since I was a kid and it's never gone away. If it's my addiction, then Paper2 is my dealer - this place is amazing. I can spend hours in this store and it's really not big enough for that but the range of cards and gifts on offer here is superb. There's an excellent collection of vintage style posters and cards which I can't get enough of at the moment. Stop in here for journals, notebooks, craft supplies, wrapping paper, globes... I could go on and on. The staff are lovely and helpful, which is no surprise I'd be super happy if I worked here too.

The biggest of the 3 Morning Glory outlets, so this place has the most variety and most likely to…read morehave something that you are looking for. A great store for finding small gifts for a secret santa, birthday, etc. For me, I've been always drawn to the Domokun merchandise (keychains, etc).

Morning Glory is full of little tiny treats and treasures. If you're looking for something with…read morethat "aawwwwweeeeee how cuuuute" factor, this is your shop. From cosmetics to stationary, clothing accessories to stuffed animals, this is the haven of everything you never needed but really, really want. Also, if you're looking for a gag gift or something a little silly, walk toward the back of Morning Glory. The "bust roller," a plastic handle with little sets of wheels, is a sure fire conversation starter. This shop stays open nice and late, so pop in after a yum cha dinner and have a browse. Just leave your very little ones outside, though; this place has choking hazard written all over it.

This is a pretty awesome gift store; on one end, everything is fluffy and fun including cuddly…read morebears and the like, and even a pirate costume. On the other end is a variety of trinkets and cool little objects or devices. Inbetween are scented soaps and candles. Theres something new to see in every part of shop, including a variety of rubicks cube styled mugs, thermometers and similar. I guess we all have a rubicks cube friend. I do. Also, everywhere you look, in addition to nifty little gift ideas, are little signs with various warnings. "Do not touch", "pay for all breakages", "bags checked on exit" "theieves will be prosecuted" "STOP, do not open cabinet" and such. When I say everywhere you look, I mean each product is labelled with a "dont touch" sign, pretty much. These made me a little uneasy at first, but then I was saddened by the fact that the middle aged man who seems to run show had to put to so many up to make his point. I suppose if people had paid for their breakages, there wouldnt be a need for so many signs. As I left I offered to show the contents of my backpack, to which the shopkeep responded: "that's ok, I watched you walking around." Oh good. That saves time. *Frown*. Anyways, I'd return if I needed to buy a gift, so I'd recommend the place. But please don't break any thing. There's a sign.

Waiting for my take away coffee at the cafe outside I was attracted to this up market gift shop by…read morethe Rob Ryan plate displayed in the window. I hadn't seen a Rob Ryan artwork since I lived in London and use to go into his Columbia Road store to give my eyes a love soak with his delightful paper cutting masterpieces. On seeing this I knew there would have to be a treasure trove of quality gifts inside. And there was. There is quite a large range of contemporary styled homewares including glass vases, silver fruit bowls, simple wall clocks, silver candle stick holders and pink leather diary organises. But there's also some original quirky designs like the Alessi 'Chip' Paperclip Holder ($129.95 mind), aluminium red water full circle globe ($315), stainless steel Penguin books water bottle with On the Road, Jack Kerouac design ($25.95) and a glass bird feeder sphere ($90). Definitely worth a look if your wanting an original and interesting gift. Complimentary gift wrapping available.

Design. I love it. There are so many ingenious designers all over the world. Wooden Rosendahl…read moretoys from Denmark, Alessi home items from Italy, Tivoli Radios and a number of items from Australian designers such as Apple & Bee, Glasshouse Candles and Oobi Baby. Bristol & Brooks carries a number of home ware and gift items from all over the world. One of my favorite things I've found there was some limited edition Tin Tin ceramics and authorized merchandise. It's a well stocked shop and they have some really nice gift ideas (corporate, wedding, baby, birthday or other important event) or if you want to buy something nice for yourself or your home. The Chiefly Square store is bigger than the one in the QVB and carries more stock, but I've found a couple of different items in the QVB location (like the Tin Tin pieces).

This is the perfect shop to buy a gift for a curious child or childish adult. There are all sorts…read moreof mystical magical mind messing puzzles and toys to play with in there. It's a little bit like the National Geographic shop but with less of an emphasis on nature and more on investigating the weird and wacky stuff that's been invented by some genius mastermind. Think edible insect lollipops, science kits, fossils and minerals, rockets and kites. There's are real emphasis on gadgetry and science so there's definitely an educational aspect as well as a fun one. The staff are young, geeky and friendly - just what you want from a discovery store. This is a great place to shop for cheap stocking fillers or kids birthday party game prizes.

I can never resist a pop in to Ginger Flower…read more A cacophony of colours, textures and fragrance, this boutique gift shop has every inch covered with things to read, touch, smell, wear and write in. Ginger Flower has a distinctively bohemian feel, stocking brands like Ecoya, Voluspa, Nesti Dante Soaps, MOR and Cards by Lulu. I recently bought a very cute 'Flat Out Bear' ($55) as a gift for my 3YO niece which she absolutely loved. There is almost always something in this shop you would like to give... to yourself if not to the person you are shopping for!

After a last-minute birthday/baby shower/engagement/Christmas gift and no idea where to look?…read moreGinger Flower in Kirribilli is likely to have a solution for you. This charming little gift shop is a magnet even for unintentional shoppers, tempting passers by inside with their beautifully curated window displays. Once inside, marvel at the bounty of trinkets, stationary and beauty products covering each and every inch of the tiny space. Choose from candles by Voluspa and Ecoya (theirs are portable and made from soy), smells-good-enough-to-eat body lotions and scrubs from MOR, leather bound journals, coffee table books, silk scarves and even Moroccan-inspired leather ottomans for those in search of something larger. They've got a good selection of cards, too, so it's pretty much a one-stop shop. Upon purchase, you can opt to give a gold coin donation in exchange for their gift wrapping service - your pressie will be completed with colourful tissue paper and a cord ribbon. Best of all, the money is given to the Kids For Life charity, which assists ill and under privileged children in Australia.