Melbournalia is a souvenir shop that sells stuff people will actually like. This news is the good…read morekind of shocking. I'm a fan of gift giving, but souvenir shopping is such a chore. It takes forever and there's a good chance that the recipient will be polite but never use it, or you'll buy something that's more gag-gift than keepsake. What bugs me even more is when you see the same damn souvenirs relabelled in every country you go to. The wares at Melbournalia are different. They sell well thought out items from local Melbourne designers, with just the right hint of local charm (trams, postcode designs, aussie animals). You wouldn't have to have a foreigner in mind to buy something here either. They sell the kind of stuff you could have in your own house without it being embarrassingly ironic. Cute+

Bourke Hill based Melbournalia carries all manner of Melbourne-themed (and Melbourne-made!) goods…read more From local rooftop honey and tea towels to tram t-shirts and kids books, this small shop pretty much corners the market on local gifts. A wise stop if you want something to remember your trip to Melbourne, or want to send a gift to a homesick Melburnian living abroad.

Blackbird and Fox is my favourite. Can I write a review this short?…read more But this is my go-to for all things gifting. For babbies, besties or just yourself, Blackbird and Fox has a really lovely range of gifts and presents. Extra bonus = free gift wrapping!

I am totally addicted to Blackbird and Fox! Working locally, I can easily spend my lunchtimes…read moredrooling over lots of gorgeous, locally designed goodies for the home and also for your outfits! I don't think that I've actually every escaped without buying a little something, so be prepared. The owner Kate, is absolutely lovely and always on hand to help you out. If you are looking for a gift (yes, something not for yourself) they offer lovely gift wrapping options too. Follow their Facebook page and you will be kept up to date with new treats coming in so you can get in first!

Fantastic shop. Melanie and the team are great and very helpful. The product selection is excellent…read moreand the best place to find a nice little gift made in Melbourne

This store is adorable. Ideal for gift shopping or interesting and (read: not tacky!) local…read moresouvenirs. The crockery is gorgeous - I love the beautiful coffee cups in both designer or Melbourne-memorabilia styles. The snacks are just incredible! I came here to buy a sharable corporate thank you gift and they had the most perfect items. Normally the idea of a food hamper would make me shudder... it evokes ideas of weird chocolate and the biscuits no one buys at the $2 shop. Not this one, I got to choose from local Victorian delicacy items like Wondersnack's bacon and bourbon popcorn, delicate meringues and artisan chocolate - all beautifully packaged up by the delightful and bubbly owner, Melanie. Melanie's passion for local products is clear and if you're stuck for a gift idea, she'll be more than happy to help you put something lovely together. When I presented the gift we put together it was greeted with squeals of delight and begging not to have to share - mission accomplished! I'll definitely be shopping here again.

I know I'm not supposed to want mass produced tchotchkes that will never biodegrade but I love them…read moreso and like to try to hit up a souvenir shop whenever I'm in a foreign place. I actually didn't see many shops like this in either Sydney or Melbourne (I'm sure they exist but we just didn't see many like you would in other touristy places) so I had to look this place up in order to find what I was looking for. Melbourne Souvenirs is easy to find but it's a tiny shop packed to the brim. It will be a little tight in here but it's well worth it because they have some nice quality items. The person working the register was really nice and friendly.

I spent my morning walking along Swanston and stopping at every restaurant that piqued my interest…read more When I reached my limit, I decided to walk back to my hotel and whoa! Hello Kitty koala and kangaroo on the window display!!! Of course, I had to stop in and buy them. Then, I found more Aussie Hello Kitty items. Pens, face towels, phone holders, bags, socks, keychains, plushes and coin purses. I don't even use face towels but I bought them anyway. $9 for a pen? Ok! Of course, they have other Aussie souvenir items that are non-Hello Kitty. Like shirts, stuffed toys (platypus, koala, kangaroo, etc.), magnets, shot glasses and whatever crap you want to gift your friends and family back home. I just want my Hello Kitty.

More smelly stuff that you can poke a stick at. Candles, handcreams, soaps, body lotions... nothing…read morenaff and all worthy options when buying a gift for your favourite person. The homewares are also worth a look at - cool throw rugs, pretty things for your couch and bed, and the last time I went Batik printing stamps that of course you're never use but they look really cool on a mantelpiece.

Frances Pilley is the ultimate gift shop for someone who likes things that smells nice…read more The shop just smells so good, it's hard to tell exactly what is evoking that divine sense. But that is the fun part, walking around the shop examining all the products is exciting and almost therapeutic. products range from candles and bath products to some beautiful homewares like the hamman bath towels. I am overwhelmed by the range, my nose loves going on overdrive here, and there is something for everyone. Scents range from vanilla to black pepper, sweet pea to lemongrass. There's even the scent-less crystal deodorant ( very intriguing). Gift wrapping is complementary, and even if you are not buying a gift, get it gift wrapped anyway ;)

I really have never been a big fan of designer wrapping paper, or personalized stationery, but this…read moreplace makes you want to start hand-writing personal messages to friends. Kami has some of the most beautiful papers and gifts that have to do with this type of hobby. Cool notepads, pens, and stationery sets. It's a great place to find a nice, unique gift for someone that seems to have everything, or just get something for yourself to resurrect the lost art of handwriting and personal contact.

As someone who keeps every card and letter they're given, I firmly believe that a beautiful card is…read morean investment. And if you're after a beautiful card in Melbourne there is no place better to go than Kami, meaning 'paper' in Japanese. A card, paper and stationery retailer specialising in absolutely beautiful Japanese inspired and locally designed wares, Kami is one of Fitzroy's most magical little boutiques. From the omnipresently beautiful window displays - rendered in paper of course! - to the incredibly vast range of cards on offer, Kami is an aesthete's dream. I spent far too long to confess at Kami yesterday choosing a card for a loved one and settled on one of Kami's 'Katazone' square cards with an abstract floral motif individually printed on the card. At around $5 - 8 a pop Kami's cards aren't cheap but considering how beautiful and bespoke they are, they're a virtual bargain.

One of those stores where you don't expect anything going in (not that impressed with their…read morebranding to be honest) but then omg! completely loved everything inside. Leaf-shaped soaps, unicorn pins, adorable cards, just so many cool and unique things sold here.

So many nice things at this store. I thought it had more art supplies, but its more giftware now,…read morebut really really nice giftware. Check it out.

A great catch-all gift shop where you can find something for just about anyone. A cute t-shirt for…read moreyour 4 year old niece, some novelty drinking straws for your office buddy, a hipster mouse pad for your 30 year old boyfriend or a quirky pair of earrings for a friend. Monsterthreads have loads of items at different pice ranges to suit most people under the age of 40 and at the centre of it all are really nicely designed tshirts and hoodies that feature cute characters which I can only assume are the "monsters". They're affordable and distinctive and I always enjoy seeing the designs change with the seasons.

Quirky, colourful and so much fun - would be my description of this busy little shop that never…read morefails to get my attention. It's one of those stores that you need some time to browse and take everything in because there are so many little things to look, feel and experience. Check out the clever little gimmicks such as the stacking Babushka doll measuring cups, the matching measuring spoons and the more recent water carafe. Other interesting décor items include bird cages, bird motif frames and elegant candles stands and candelabras. Gizmo Gifts also has a wide ranges of kid's toys, quirky non-slip socks and slogan t-shirts plus humorous collectibles for the big kid in you. Every time I step into this store, I end up buying something that I really love so if you're in the market for a unique gift idea, Gizmo might have exactly what you're looking for.

This is one of those stores that if you don't like crowds, then don't go there on Christmas Eve…read more This is a tiny little gift buyer's paradise. There is everything from novelty mugs to calendars, to adult toys to key chains, scented candles and wacky mouse pads. The aroma as you walk in, is a fusion of bubble wrap and vanilla incense or whatever cheap incense they seem to be burning. I'm really not a fan of these stores - this is like the epitome of commercialism, I'm surprised that Christmas doesn't own it. This place is like an up-market $2 shop. Most of the products aren't made in china, so they cost you an arm and a leg - but unfortunately it's still worthless crap. Maybe I'm being a bit offensive, especially to those who have a "Magpies supporters only" parking sign in front of their house. If you don't, and you enjoy worthless crap, now you know the place to find it!