Candlewick Village sells all kinds of handcrafted soy candles in cute little containers. There are…read moreunscented candles, but the scented ones are the real treat, with some scents that are less mainstream. Have the days of candles as the ultimate generic gift gone by the wayside? Well, if they have, I think they should be revived. This is the perfect stall to buy something as a emergency gift to tuck away the next time you're caught short for a pressie. The travel candles in tins are particularly tasteful. Sharing the stall with Candlewick is a lady who sells those funky soaps that look like cake, fudge, slice, and other sweet things you might not normally shower with. The stall is always charmingly decorated with tiered cake stands and the soaps are beautifully presented on pretty porcelain plates.

Amaze is Ponsonby's one stop gift shop. You can literally walk in there and walk out five minutes…read morelater with a funny and funky gift, complete with quirky card and gift wrapping. Amaze is that good. With numerous stands housing a seemingly infinite number of gift cards, regardless of whether you're after one for your best friend, mother, uncle, grandmother, for a friend's wedding, an anniversary, bereavement or baby shower - there are dozens of cards for every occasion to pick from. And they're all quirky and perfect in their own ways. I love just perusing the cards, let alone the rest of the store! Though, that's not to say the rest of Amaze isn't equally as AMAZING... It's the perfect place to find funny hens night-type products with candy G-strings, penis straws, and naughty dice stocked by the dozen. Amaze also stocks an array of journals and diaries, and as a real stationary lover I find I could spend hours just ogling over these products, let alone the choices of wrapping paper they also possess! Talk about overwhelming! It's like a dream come true in this store, sad as that may sound!

'Amaze' is just that. A shop that offers every type of card you would ever need - plus quirky gift…read moreideas. There are a few card stands outside to tempt you or you can go in-store and be spoilt for choice. I have purchased many birthday cards from 'Amaze', unique wrapping paper and gift fillers. Service is friendly & always sincere. Nothing can ever replace a fantastic card, from $5-$8 to say it with words! I love cards - writing in them, gifting them & especially receiving one too! Yelp, yelp, yelp!

For a special occasion why not choose a personalized candle. This specialized business can create…read moreyour individualized candle whether it's for a baptism, naming ceremony, wedding, Diwali, Christmas, or any occasion. A Kiwi owned and operated company, the quality and attention to detail is absolutely stunning, we have ordered a few special occasion candles from here and they always exceed our expectation. They can even take a photograph or replicate a crest and embellish the candle with this. You'll deal with Brigitte personally and she'll take care of every little detail for you and ensure it is just perfect.

I had a squiz at this garden centre when I stopped to get a coffee at Cigana which is just 50…read moremetres away from it. I'm not much of a gardener but I do appreciate a good stroll around a good garden centre. There's always a bit of a serenity about it. And this is exactly what the Sunhill Garden Centre is like. As soon as I walked in the shop assistant asked me how I was going and if I needed anything. The other staff member was busy helping a man with the best plants for his garden. She obviously was so knowledgeable plants and had so much information for him. There were loads of different plants and a cute gift shop too. I really love my fresh herbs and I was delighted to see they sell three herb punnets for $10! That's so cheap and they smelt amazing. Basil pasta here I come!

For being located on such a busy road, Sunhill Garden Centre is surprisingly peaceful. Perhaps it…read moreis the tree-bound setting combined with the trickle of the water features that distracts you from the sound of traffic, I don't know. But what I do know is that Sunhill Garden Center has a really great wide range of plants, from perennials and succulents to dwarf shrubs and citrus, which are all clearly labelled and well organised in the garden out the back. You can also pick up Oakdale Organics vegetable and herb seedlings starting from 3.99 each or 3 for 10, which seems to be a good deal. Inside you will find all sorts of gardening supplies and also plenty of gifts, such as potted plants, ornaments and various gardening accessories. And if you have a little one with you, then Sunhill has arranged for that too, with a small playground at the back overlooking the Apirana Reserve.

Le Monde is just the place to buy that unique, beautiful, stylish piece of home decor, for yourself…read moreor a loved one. Plus, if you have the money (lucky you!), then this store have the furniture to match. Gorgeous layout, right down to the handpainted door behind the checkout that is more of a feature wall than an actual door. Its all about aesthetics here. In a room towards the back Le Monde have sale pieces, such as the brass, antique-looking clock and compass that we bought for $10 instead of the original $90. All that was missing was the glass covering over the compass that sits at the base. We can live with that. This shop is located just behind the La Cigale markets, with parking onsite. Worth a visit if you like style;)

This upmarket furniture and design store in Newmarket houses some of the most glamorous high-end…read morefurniture, lighting and decorative accessories in the country. Cavit's also have a smaller store in Arrowtown too. And one in Melbourne. Ralph Lauren, McGuire, Baker, Frette, William Yeoward, Barbara Barry and Lalique are just a few of the luxury brands which they exclusively represent here in New Zealand. You can spend an afternoon admiring the fabulosity of it all - and if luxury shopping prices are outside your budget - then you can (as I've done) treat yourself to a Michael Aram scented candle or one of his lovely silver or gold pieces! Cavit's is located at the Blind Institute. There's plenty of retail parking (free) and a great cafe with a courtyard where you can sit and rest your weary shoppers feet.