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.

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.

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.

What a funky, fun and don't forget full of attitude shop. Urban attitude has a collection of…read morepopular culture items, some funny, some cool and some downright silly. But whatever the occasion or whether you just feel like getting some inspiration, Urban Attitude has something that can appeal to everyone. They stock everything from cool and quirky kitchen supplies, to books and designer home-wear. As well as funky kids gear and fashion watches and accessories. There are things like Monster watches, melting clocks, a T-Rex Tea Infuser, Pop Art Camera and many many more crazy creations. Urban Attitude's aim is to make you smile, and the quirky collection of modern day items definitely do just that. It is a great option if your after a fun present for someone special, or you just want to cheer yourself up with a modern take on designer consumerism.

I'll tell you what gives me an urban attitude - looking down at my sweet new O'clock watch and…read morethinking of all the wicked band colours that are in my purchasing future! (Mad urban, yo.) If, unlike me, you don't have a sweet new O'clock watch, you could certainly pop by Urban Attitude to get your fix. While you're there, you could also pick up a hilarious book on awkward family photos, a range of wonderful and equally hilarious cards, gag gifts, clocks, posters, pillow covers, tea towels, coffee table books, novelty items (think a tape dispenser shaped liked an audio tape, an angry birds talking toy or a Facebook-inspired "Like" paperweight). This is certainly the place to go to grab a gift for a very cool friend that you have no idea how to buy for. Or, you know, your new boyfriend's 19-year-old daughter that you're meeting for the first time. Whateves... And before you know it, your attitude will be most definitely urban.

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.

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!

The Hoddle Grid was the City design that created serviced alleyways that have now become…read moreMelbourne's famous laneways with food stalls, restaurants, cafes, night spots and murals. There are over 900 laneways in Melbourne. The Gold Rush in the 1850s, made Melbourne the World's richest city and the wealth afforded the resources to construct the ornate buildings featuring Victorian, Georgian, Italian and French architecture and design. Opened in 1870, Royal Arcade is the oldest surviving shopping arcade in Australia and an iconic heritage landmark in the Melbourne CBD. t. It is best known for its elegant Italianate architecture, high glass roof, and the mythical giant statues of Gog and Magog that strike the hour. Gayle and I were here for window shopping and visiting a "not to miss" and elegant Melbourne attraction.

I was so surprised at how small this place is! But what it lacks in size, it makes up for in…read morecharm. It's beautiful in here and full of natural light. You would never know that from the outside. It's fairly easy to enter this arcade, as there are openings on three sides. It's also marked very well so there's no way you could miss it. There are quite a few interesting shops, mostly targeted towards knick-knacks and jewelry for tourists. There are also some coffee/café spots. My partner always finds the adult toy/card shops and immediately went downstairs to purchase some Magic the Gathering cards. This is a nice, quick attraction that is well worth the visit.

This was a lovely place to stumble upon! My husband and I were wandering aimlessly around North…read moreMelbourne after a yummy brunch at Elceed, and our wandering led us to Victoria Street, which if I recall correctly, had some cute cafes and retail spaces. I was drawn into this store because of the interesting decor featured in their storefront window (a huge corn on the cob that had a bite taken out of it, along with a double stacked hamburger... if that makes any sense.) True to their name, they had some quirky lookin' knick knacks, bags, jewelry, and housewares. I also loved their logo, which are silhouettes of animals such as dogs and giraffes. As I was browsing through the store, I noticed two guys carrying huge animal-like sculptures out of the store, as if they were going to be displayed at an event of some sort. Obviously not outside the realm of possibility at a store named Quirk! I ended up buying a customisable letter banner, perfect for my hipster birthday parties/Elite Events. :)

From the owner: Step off Victoria Street in North Melbourne into an unexpected menagerie. Toys too good for kids…read more There's a piggy bank cast from a real piglet and parrot drawings embellished with frilled collars made of recycled maps and envelopes. Greenery protrudes from vintage pots and an array of terrariums. Good affordable design with a sense of play!

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 ;)