I have been visiting this souvenir shop every chance I get when in Brisbane. Timing is important…read moresince the bulk sale specials are random. Today was a good day to go by and select unique gifts over stores would not have or have limited selections. The daytime staff is a lot more friendly and conversational than the evening crew, probably due to age and maturity. Overall, I like the service, especially during the morning hours and would recommend people visiting during these hours.

Excellent customer service provided by them. Went out of their way to make sure I received…read moreeverything I want to order.

I remember this store from when it was located in the Wintergarden, and then it just disappeared!…read moreBut recently while I was roaming around the Emporium in the Valley it popped up out of thin air. I was so glad to see that this shop had just relocated and hadn't closed for good, because I've purchased many a gift from Essensuals and it's always been perfect for those people who are difficult to buy for. I must say though, I much prefer the old store to the new one. I'm not sure if it has changed hands or they just decided to change it up a little bit, but it was a little disappointing. The new store seems to have stock piled up everywhere, like a teetering tower of doom that could crush the shopper below at any second. It also seems like they don't have as much stock as before, which is unfortunate because you could find things for both men and women in the old store, whereas the new one appears to be very female oriented. Despite the disappointment that Essensuals has changed quite a bit, it's still full of pretty things like crystal wine glasses, decorative trunks and vintage perfume bottles. It's worth a look if you're not quite sure what you're looking for, but certainly isn't as impressive as it used to be.

Need to find a gift for that person who literally has everything? Or in desperate need of a mask…read morefor a masquerade party? Then Essensuals has got you covered. This place is piled high with unique gifts, home decorations and of course, ceramic masks (yes, never fear, those tacky plastic masks covered in sequins and feathers do not have a home here). There's a seemingly large emphasis on Parisian prints and artefacts as well as London-esque decorations and canvas prints depicting rainy days in New York City. So definitely a perfect gift idea for those jet-setters or dreamers who long after a city-change. So when you're next in Emporium, keep an eye out for a large, hollow dog - it stands guard outside the shop.

Texts, tweets and Tinder might be all the rage but I firmly sit in the corner that believes sending…read morea beautiful card for an array of occasions beats the obligatory Facebook message or wall post. That's why I'm thankful that a store like Card & Caboodle, located on the lower floor of Queens Plaza, is still around. Much like hen's teeth, a shop dedicated to the art of correspondence via a carefully deliberated card is hard to find. Much like Suzannah B, I often find selecting a card far more exciting than the gift it may be presented with. Their range is some of the best in Brisbane and extend from classic humour, modern design and quirky.There's a card for almost all occasions and you'll also be able to stock up on wrap, ribbon or a fancy-pants gift bag.

Every year I tell my friends I'm going to write them a personal letter and post it. We all agree…read morewhat a great idea this would be and spend awhile reminiscing about the good ol' days before email. I've never yet written such a letter although Card and Caboodle has certainly tempted me with their range of stationary. Some of their writing sets are so pretty. Plus, anyone would be pleased to receive best wishes from their intricate pop-up card range. Their cute stamps, stickers, hanging ornaments and magnets would make perfect 'filler presents', the sort you would get for your workplace Secret Santa or that cousin you don't know very well but you suspect she's a girly girl. If you're looking for something more original than your stock standard newsagency range, then try Card and Caboodle for all matters stationary related.

Dandelyon Gifts is a store full of a wide variety of odds and ends. Here they sell mainly homewares…read moreand gift-type items. It really is impossible to list everything; they have jewellery, wall hangings, clothing, photo frames, you name it. The place has somewhat of a bohemian vibe, which I love, and they offer fortune telling on occasion (I can't remember the exact branch of reading, I'm sure I'm offending many with the use of the term 'fortune telling'). It's a calm, peaceful shop that will be sure to amuse you for a while, thanks to the many packed shelves as well as things hanging off the walls and ceiling. Even the front of the store is appealing, with many of their items artistically arranged to tempt passersby. When I visited, there was a group of tourists taking pictures of the eye-catching display.

We're coming into the season of joy and giving! This truly is one of the most exciting and…read moreenriching times of the year, filled with food, drink, friends and the giving and receiving of useless things someone will never use or want. Where else can one procure such items other than Dandelyon Gifts! All right, perhaps the above was a bit harsh. I in fact know of many people who would the ecstatic to receive a sleeve of incense, a birdcage or some mildly charming sign to wedge in their garden. In fact, I have been known to stalk stores like this, purchasing gifts for friends who revel in the receiving of such items. The problem is, when you yourself start receiving gifts of this nature, when you'd be much happier with a bottle of Bombay Sapphire or a gift pass for a massage. I went to this store with a friend of mine who was particularly enthused by it products. Like a child he would squeal with joy as he moved from each adorably vintage object to the next. I have to admit that I don't quite get it. This being said, I know exactly where to go if I need to buy someone a gift but have absolutely no idea what to get him or her. Personally this place isn't my thing but it will be for many others. Prices are reasonable, if one considers the objects to be of any particular value. With this in mind, it's a perfect spot to hunt for gifts these upcoming holidays.

LARGE souvenir shop on Queen Street…read more Tacky? Yes. Postcards? Yes. Boomerangs? Yes. T-shirts, magnets, stuffed kangaroos and koalas? Yes, yes, yes and yes. Obligatory UGG boots? Of course. Plus dozens and dozens of other items you never knew you needed or wanted. Staff was friendly. Location was convenient.

I went shopping with a friend from overseas. We stopped by Tourist House to have a look. As I…read morewandered around while my friend tried UGG boots on, I noticed they sold Golliwogs (aka golly dolls, golly), the dark skinned doll, with clown-like red lips and frizzy black hair. There was a collection of them sitting in a woven basket by the entrance. It is rare to find places that sell this type of doll these days and I thought it looked a little out of place in this souvenir shop. Or was it? Despite this odd encounter with a doll popular in the 60's, we found the store useful and my friend successfully purchased a whole heap of things. One of which, includes her beloved UGG Australia boots which she praises for being half the price here, compared to overseas. An insightful souvenir shopping trip.

I like to pretend I have a green thumb but the reality is that plants and I should agree to never…read morebe friends, or rather I should quit trying to be a gardening goddess. But it's small shops like Hanasho that bring my desire to garden rushing back. His carefully curated mix between greenery (starting from $10 already potted) to airplants and floristry make this a dangerous experience for myself. It's a beautiful store and truthfully, part art gallery in the way plants are expertly hung around the room. It's a fine place for gifts for you, a friend, family or even just because you want something different to decorate your home. Of course I didn't leave empty handed and of course I've got a mental shopping list for future visits. This is a small business in West End that I sense is often forgotten by everyone except locals, but I hope it is never forgotten so much that the doors shut. This is a beautiful gem that must be explored!

Hanasho is a work of art in of itself. I automatically…read moreassume my art gallery stride while I'm in this store. The stencil art, pottery pieces, bamboo sculptures, the handmade stuffed toys and everything in between has an air of elegant simplicity about it. Hanasho also likes to keep it local and stocks local artist's wares. What most people come here for is the Ikebana (Japanese form of flower arranging). It's an art form I have always admired. It's not just the practice of making nice, visually pleasing floral arrangements- the 'pieces' are sculptural and thought provoking. I also like that whenever you pop in to visit, the owner can be seen in the back half of his store on the floor kneeling over a new creation. It is his workshop and his gallery, per se. If he's not working on something out the back, you'll generally find him outside amidst the potted succulents having a cigarrette. The owner has a particular character that spills out of him into his immaculately arranged shop. If you're looking for something unique for a gift, I'd suggest coming here. It's full of contemporary, often wierd and wonderful surprises.

Women and Men clothing. Jewellery. Knick Knacks. A fun little place to spend your hard earned…read moredollars on cute, trendy and cool stuff. Expect laser cut perspex/metal earrings and pins, moustache covered objects, eggcups and mugs that are animal heads, interesting stationery. My favourite I've seen is the giant crumpled 'disposable cup' vase in green glass. Pigeonhole has another store over at Macarthur Central, across the road. Parking in the Wintergarden carpark.

This is a pretty basic florist and gift store. In terms of gifts there isn't too much on offer, a…read morefew photo frames and other odd bits. Their main area of expertise seems to be those shiny gift balloons featuring messages like 'welcome home' or 'get well soon', although these ones are quite small so I'm fairly sure no message of worth can be squeezed on to them. There are a few flower arrangements but, judging by the limited number of flowers visible around the place, it seemed more like a made-to-order type florist. The shop design is basic and nothing too exciting, in fact their website is a lot more pleasing on the eye than the shop. It also has a great ordering system with a huge range available. It seems to me if you want to shop here, doing it online is the way to go.

Next time I visit MOZI I'm leaving my coins and cards at home. Yes, it's just that gosh darn…read moretempting to buy everything in this store. I remember when MOZI launched and was such a small collection of knick knacks for the kitchen. And now look at this little Aussie brand that could! Measuring spoons, plastic bag holders (yes, they're a thing!), bowls, tea towels, plates, dog leads, napkins, and even candles are all neatly displayed in their "print story" categories making a visit to MOZI on trendy James Street an organised mind's dream. Everything is in its place and it makes it that much easier to find what you're looking for. It's fun without being frivolous and twee without being saccharine. If you're looking for a quirky and unique gift for a loved one getting married, moving into a new house, having a baby, birthday, engagement, just because...you get the point...MOZI should most certainly be on your list. The prices are what I personally would consider reasonable with most items being under $40. PS: If someone gifts me the sequined fox tote, I might just have kittens.