The Write Stuff is a petite but very comprehensive stationary stockist. It sells a good number of…read morePost-It's, envelopes and small office equipment, but also has a number of pretty notebooks worth perusing. Card shop worthy, they would make nice little gifts for special occasions, or even sketch books! The shop assistants are very friendly and keen to help but being fairly small in size and self explanatory, you should be fine. With a bit more than what you get in local post offices, the Write Stuff will keep you sorted for emergency stationary situations.

The only reason I went into this shop was due to its slightly humorous name! Yes, it does not take…read morea lot for me to venture into any new shop! Inside, the shop is pretty small but very well stocked for all your stationary needs! I wasn't out to buy any pens but I somehow I ended up buying some, but they were not that expensive, actually they were on the cheap side. The staff were friendly and quite chatty which adds to what is already I think I pretty good stationary shop! This shop has everything you need to fill up your pencil case and you will then certainly be writing with the write stuff!

Hello! When did this wee gem spring up?…read more It's not really wee, and it looks new - I'm guessing it's only been on Cockburn Street under a month. Old Town Context is a refreshing, traditional store on Cockburn Street, steering away from the style of the tourist traps on the Royal Mile to offer alternative gift ideas. They have some old English, French and American advert poster art, cards, stationery, gifts, mugs with pin ups on them, clocks made out of recycled glass drinks bottles - a very eclectic and classy selection. Its inspiration is clearly from bygone era's, and I was very impressed with their postcard range. They also have some cracking cards and original prints with cats on them. These cats are wearing kilts and rugby shifrts, quoting Burns and other Scottish poets within the print. It's a very odd idea but entirely up my alley. Overall a very enjoyable shop for the family. It's difficult to walk out of here without buying anything.

I am glad that my 200th review is on this hidden gem... actually it isn't that hidden, but I have a…read morefeeling that lots of people just walk right on by. In a very different and almost vintage way, it is a souvenir shop. I say that because there were lots of prints, cards, coffee mugs of the city and various British 'things', but they are not the types of souvenirs that you would find in the every single store on the Royal Mile... yeah, you know what I mean. I loved the different prints of the city, my favourite was a very art deco-ish print highlighting the castle in a yellowy-orangish hue against a dark background. They had it as a large print, a card, and a coffee mug. I am now kicking myself that I did not buy it. If you love globes or tin signs, they have loads of them! If you are looking for a different kind of souvenir for someone... or just something for yourself, stop in here because they have some really wonderful items.

Paper Tiger is one of those shops that you go in for a look, and come out buying something you…read moreprobably don't need. Paper Tiger has been trading in Edinburgh for over twenty five years so they are obviously doing something right. They sell a wide range of unique cards, stationery, wrapping paper, notebooks, diaries, books and gifts. The stock is all top quality, and is reasonably priced too. The cards are so much more than your cheesy Hallmark cards, perfect for that special someone. The gift wrap selection is amazing, my favourite is the map of the world design. They also have a wide selection of different notebooks. Notebooks for things you didn't even know you needed a notebook for! I bought a travel journal from here and its great, its such a pretty book and of a good quality. They have a good range of travel goods. Funny little things like little packs of travel soap and travel kits. There is also a few travel books which are quite interesting. The gift selection is full of random little knick knacks which are usually quite humorous but you will probably know someone who each gift is perfect for. Its hard to describe how nice everything they sell is, its much better to go to the shop and have a browse. I challenge you not to buy something!

Don't be put off by the slightly budget-looking name sign of this shop. Inside it's pretty much…read morewall-to-wall and floor-to-ceiling with anything vaguely related to gift wrapping, stationery and gift cards that you could ever need. Almost like a version of Paperchase that doesn't take itself too seriously, yet still stocks good quality stuff. But although it's good quality, it's pretty pricey as is usually the case with specialist shops. If the person you're buying for is really into writing and would appreciate or even notice that it's good stuff. Otherwise, if it's just for a run-of-the mill birthday card you might not want to bother.

Located in a far-too-easily-missable part of Stockbridge, this gift shop and studio is well worth…read moreseeking out. All the usual suspects of the art and craft world; photo frames, toys, jewellery, cards, candles, homeware and a grand selection of papers and things that glitter and sparkle. I was told that they also host birthday parties or just a relaxing, different evening for a few friends to get all DIY-ey in a more sophisticated environment than places that are only aimed at children (why do they get all the fun?) Staff are friendly and enthusiastic and really want you to get creative. I'm looking forward to getting messy!

This is a little art and craft shop tucked away from the usual Stockbridge strip and it's well…read moreworth the extra trek to find it. They're more an arts and craft studio than a gift shop and judging by what they sell it's the perfect place to bring your kids to for an hour or two. Paper mache, paint glitter and sparkly things are the order of the day and I can see how kids go mad for this stuff. It's certainly brought out the kid in me. I saw that they had some interesting classes coming up, badge making, card making and the like so it's worth checking out what's coming up when you're there. They also host birthday parties and I could see 10 kids sitting around the large table getting their art on. All in all a great place for adults and kids alike!

Tiger's new store is finally here! They have moved out of the derelict St James Centre and into…read more.. the dark and gloomy Waverley Mall. While their new location isn't in my favourite shopping centre, I'm just glad that they listened to my pleads so that I wouldn't have to be without my Tiger while they demolished the St James Centre. The new store is a bit smaller than the old one at St James but the aisles are less cramped and since not many people know about it yet, it is nice and peaceful. The store itself is clean, bright and the staff from the previous store have been kept on which is good because they were always cheerful when I visited the old store. The selection of stock that this store offers is great. The gift aisle was booming, as was the craft aisle. I managed to find my beloved chunky felt tips and quirky novelty gifts and pay for them with no bother at all. The cash desks are conveniently located at the front of the shop, which is so much better than the old store, where they were in the middle of everything causing a huge blockage. I will be continuing to shop at Tiger. They also have a fancy new name and instead of being called Tiger, they are now Flying Tiger Copenhagen! Talk about being fancy!

Such a cute gift shop. I got some really nice cards and they had a great selection for Scottish…read morechocolate that made great gifts for my family. The cardamon and bramble chocolate was a favourite!

A great little shop for interesting books, journals, cards and stationary…read more Definitely worth a look!

This pottery situated on the further edge of New Town is more an artists studio than just a shop…read morethat sells pots. It was started by a Janet Adam about twenty years ago, and along with several other potters, she makes and sells the most beautiful pieces! I've been aware of the more typical clay pottery, but the finished products are so expertly done and refined, it's difficult to believe they've been wholly hand made. The pots vary dramatically from one potter to another, and they're so intricate I couldn't imagine them actually being used for anything practical! We're now on the verge of the festival period, and for the next month or so, it'll be possible to head over there and see exhibitions of the artists at work! However, I'm more keen to get some one on one tuition, which they offer, as I can imagine it would be heaps of fun!

There are 6 potters working out of this little shop and all with different mediums and styles so…read moreyou are sure to find something you will want to take home. Their price are not bad and they even have a seconds area. Good place to find something for a gift or new for your own home.

I really don't know why I like this place. I shouldn't. You shouldn't. No one should. It should…read moreoffend you. It's everything wrong with Japan. Over the top, offensively cute, bright sparkly anime characters of every form (as long as it's a cutesy or perverted form). Cutie House basically sells toys, key rings, ornaments, bags and jewellery, of popular Japanese characters in the West like Hello Kitty or Pukka. There is also some Nintendo and Studio Ghibli characters represented, that I can appreciate a little more. They also sell some goods relating to more popular Western animations like Nightmare before Christmas and the ever incredible cult classic, The Moomins. In my heart of hearts I still know this is all tacky commercial tat using up precious Earthly resources, but somehow its kitsch value overwhelms me. One word of warning: this shop is almost as small as my dignity after purchasing something from it. Don't enter in any greater number than one. It really is tiny. A quirky little shop that somehow manages to charm me. I imagine if I spent anytime in Japan these feelings would quickly subside, but for now Cutie House, you win.

Cutie House is super DUPER kawaii, enough to make your eyes bulge at the trinkets inside…read more This place is bursting full of bubblegum Japanese pop gifts, mainly of the keychain or small necklace variety. The walls are lined with the biggest collection of Hello Kitty and Domukun I have ever seen in my life in such a small place, and the vast majority of stock is tiny. This place is home to everything from Mario figurines and small cuddly toys to Snoopy, Chinese lucky cats and even some mini Dragonball Z figurines. Gifts are pocket sized and ususally around the £5 mark. I love the cute little baby Spiderman guys in here and when I was younger Cutie House would've made me burst with joy. A great gem to take your kids, but you'll enjoy it, too! If I ever find use for an elephant figurine, I will make room for it on my mantelpiece.

I know it's a little bit late buying diaries for 2010 now but that's exactly what I did on my visit…read moreto Paperchase yesterday, they had all their diaries of all sizes reduced to only £1! Now I just can't resist a bargain so I bought myself a pretty 2010 organiser that will come in handy for my new term at Uni and will keep me on the right track for my dissertation work. I also purchased another diary reduced to £1 from £10 and it has plenty of space for writing so I'm sure I'll be able to fill it no problem with inane ramblings and doodles. I also bought my mum a birthday card which is shaped like an no.5 Chanel perfume bottle and was very reasonably priced at £2.50, I also got a couple of graduation cards for my friends who will be joining the real world in a matter of weeks. This store is quite deceptive as it looks really small from the outside but it's absolutely massive and no matter what kind of stationary you're looking for it is more than certainly here. The staff are really friendly and I was easily here for a good 50 minutes getting lost in all the stationary but nobody seemed to bothered and I felt relaxed just taking my time to browse.

Paperchase is great for picking up cards, gift wrap and stationery when you perhaps want something…read morea little different than the usual. The store feels quite stylish and the stock definitley has that sort of hip/trendy feel. It can be a little expensive, but you are paying for nicer designs and better quality. I bought a gorgeous Wedding Album in here as a gift as well as some beautiful photo frames. I also picked up some great Christmas decorations in their January sale at a very reasonable price. I always buy my notebook and pens for uni here, probably not the best way to spend my student loan but I do like the designs. Also when I ran an event I picked up some great art supplies here for posters and decorations, and received some student discount. I bought a laptop bag here in one of the quirky designs (I think it was around £12), and after a few weeks the strap broke. I returned it without the receipt and the staff were so helpful and apologetic. The bag was out of stock but they let me choose another one, no problems. I was chuffed at the good customer service here. I always find myself going in for a browse when I walk along George Street, definitely one of my favourite shops.

The Works is like a mish mash of random, cheap books, toys, calendars and art supplies with the odd…read moretourist tat thrown in. It is stupidly cheap and that is reflected in the crap that they sell. However it does come in handy for buying cheap books or colouring pens for my nephew. There is sometimes some good cook books in here also, as well as some quite odd books but I'm sure there is a market for it. The shop is generally consumed by rather odd people who are peeing themselves with excitement over all the bargains and take their trip to The Works quite seriously. I bought a friend who was in love with Kylie Minogue the unofficial calendar from here, he wasn't too impressed.

I had always assumed this place was just some tourist shop so never really bothered looking in-…read morethat was, until I actually needed to buy some touristy stuff to take back with me to Australia. This place is a mish-mash of so many awesome things! Tourist shop- check. Discount bookstore- check. Arts and crafts shop- check. Random kitchen items like blenders and grills- check. It was just so much fun exploring this shop! I managed to nab a few gifts to take back with me and I'm seriously impressed at the discount books on offer (brought a whole bunch of children's books on special and Joe Wicks Lean in 15 for £10!) Honestly, I'm not quite sure what category this store would fall under, but since I had such a great time exploring I'm giving five stars! Highly recommended, the prices were more than reasonable and given the stock available you'll likely end up finding something you didn't realise you needed.