As the sign on the front of the shop clearly states "amazing cards at fantastic prices!" this is…read moreindeed a shop that forfills it's own hype! It can be very difficult to find the right card for the right person. Sometimes you are after a funny card that is just good clean fun and wont offend anyone, sometimes you want something a little bit more riskey but you know the person and it fit's in with their character, and sometimes you want a card with a nice message but you don't want it to be too soppy, well I can saftley say this shop will cover any of those occasions! With a very clearly laid out shop and some wonderful designs and concepts to look through this is a great card shop for any occasion.

Cheap as you like, this place solves the ever-present problem of friends and family members…read moreconstantly turning a year older. I don't think people really keep cards, I certainly don't, so spending a load of dosh on something that's appreciated momentarily (and mostly for the thought anyway) seems pretty pointless to me. Step in Card Factory, with their range of economical Birthday, Valentines, Mother's Day, etc greetings. The best thing is, the cards from this place don't actually look that cheap, so no one will accuse you of being tight and not really caring that they're now 32, or whatever. Great.

The Card Factory is cheap and cheerful and I love it! I always resented Clinton's and Birthdays for…read morecharging £3 for a bit of cardboard with a pretty picture on it. In the Card Factory you can get pretty much the exact same card for a mere 59p!! This particular store is located in the centre of Broadmead. It is a small shop and they sure do cram a lot inside. It is constantly rammed packed too so you will find yourself breathing in tightly to squeeze past customers. There also isn't any real place to queue up so customers end up queuing next to the card displays which again causes a lot of deep sighs and mutters under their breathes from the other shoppers. Product wise, the Card Factory has an impressive range of sensible, flowery cards to rude and humorous ones. They also have a selection of gifts such as photo frames etc. It's so much better than Clinton's down the road and I reckon the quality of cards is just as high but at a 10th of the price. Note:- they accept credit cards, but your bill must come to over £5 so make sure you have some cash on you. Also be prepared for long queues at all times, especially in the run up to special events EG. Valentines day, Mother's day, Christmas etc.

A great greeting cards shop with lots of extra things - pretty boxes to keep things in, balloons,…read morechocolates, postcards and more. The girl who was working in there yesterday was very friendly and helpful.

In a world where things are getting increasingly automated and less personal, it's refreshing to…read moresee independent businesses rising out strong above the rest. Having only been in the area since June this shop, run by a six strong craft collective is a unique glimpse at the production of some beautiful products. I think it's the shop split in half that makes Fig such an enjoyable place to poke my head in: half the shop given to racks for gifts and cards and the other half to the in house artists. I asked the always friendly staff what it is that stood them out above the rest. They can't stress enough the importance of products being hand crafted, on the spot. They say it's a very refreshing and unique approach to their work. Pop in and see for yourself.

Not to be confused with Sage, a shop of a similar name and nature a few doors down, Fig is a great…read morelittle find on Gloucester Road, choc-a-bloc full of beautiful arts, crafts and handmade delights including greeting cards, prints and jewellery. Made up of a small collective of local designers and artists, Fig is a fantastic place to go for gifts but also for inspiration to brighten up your own home. The felt embroidery of underwater scenes by Katy Tarling and quirky prints by Jane Orme are some of the highlights while the greeting cards are charming but at around £3 each are a little pricey. Although the listings on the website say this shop is only open Thursday to Saturday I recently popped in on a Monday morning so it's worth stopping by if you're in the area a the beginning of the week as opening hours may be changing.

This is the place if you're looking for quirky, individual cards, wrapping and gifts. It's bright,…read morepacked with must-haves for stationeryphiles like me. Ranges change regularly so there is always something new. Bright and cheery store and bright and cheery staff.

Although Romantica is just down the road, a bit further up you will find Hallmark Romantica - which…read moreis essentially Romantica but without the gifts. This small shop sells cards, wrapping paper, gift bags and essentials for every occasion. It is a little pricey but there are some really beautiful cards. They have cards for every occasion and although it is expensive, you won't find nicer cards anywhere else. You will be sure to find the perfect card or wrapping paper here!

From the outside, this shop looks tired, dated and perhaps a little tacky. For this reason, I had…read morenever been in it until the other day despite walking past many times (and my boyfriend said he'd never been in for the same reason). I can't remember why we went in but once inside it was completely different to how I expected it to be. It is a really decent gift shop with a brilliant selection of stock - from cards ad wrapping paper to figurines (not tacky ones though, funky fashionable ones) and other funny stuff. Definitely was some stuff in there that I am going back to buy! The guy who owns it should change the sign on the front and make it more in keeping with what he stocks inside

On the occasion, which is rarely, that I cannot make my home made cards I do source them out,…read morehowever, I am not the type to often pick something off the rack. I was made aware of this company a while back and I love their food and pastry photography, therefore, I ordered a 12 pack of ice cream and macaroon cards for birthday mail outs. Even though it was all the way up in England and with the exchange it was still ironically cheaper than some of the ones that I have seen locally. Shipping was fast.

I have one real word for this shop...Pricey…read more Granted the cards are very nice but the are very expensive. If it's a special birthday - like 18/21/50/60, or you want a really lovely mother's day card or you want your valentines day card to really say 'I love you' then this is certainly the place for you. The choice is quite staggering. I personally prefer the 50p card shop just down the road for the everyday card. It's saving grace is perhaps the Thornton's counter - if you need a quick one-stop card and chocolaty gift then this is a good call, just don't expect any change!

Mother's Day, Easter Day, birthdays and anniversaries.. Half…read morethe reason I eat so much come Christmas time is the relief of having tiptoed through another minefield of upset family and disappointed girlfriend(s). When one does remember these precious days, however, Pack of Cards is on hand to support. Least not remembering all these special days and warning us well in advance they also stock a wide range of greeting cards and wrapping up paper for any occasion. It is the Thornton's chocolate counter where the real browny points are purchased. All the crunchy, smooth, spicy, delicious ones you remember and some you don't - they're all here.

A lovely shop to visit if you're in Bradford on Avon. Can always find a gift to buy in there and…read morethere are cards for everyone.

I'm a sucker for arts & crafts and creativity in general and Craft Works ticks all the boxes. This…read moreshop is one of the most comprehensive of its kind and one of the best in Bristol if you discount the likes of Hobbycraft. From the outside you might be forgiven for thinking this is a frivolous, girly shop for bored housewives and old ladies but oh how wrong you would be! There is a large selection of sketchbooks, drawing paper, paintbrushes and Daler-Rowney paints - all essential for art students and established artists alike. The store itself is lined with cards and displays that have been created using products from the shop, such as decopache kits, rubber stamps, ink and stencils. The only thing that limits the possibilities of the products in this shop is your own imagination. Price are reasonable and there is also a framing department at the back of the shop where you can take in your masterpieces to hang with pride.

Craft Works is probably the largest shop of its kind in Bristol. Stocking everything you can…read moreimagine, (and then some), for those with handicrafts in mind. Reasonably priced with knowledgeable staff on hand to explain what everything is for, Craft Works is creativity made easy. They even host workshops in the evening. They also stock resources for those of us who can't quite decide what hobby would suit us best, or for those of us that would like to be a bit more creative but aren't exactly sure how. A full range of magazines is available with comprehensive advice on hand. And just for the record: I'm in the market for a knitted toilet roll cover with a Cindy-type doll miraculously emerging from the middle. There's a commission in for anybody who can master the skills required to make one. I'd like it in shocking pink. Get enrolling now!