This brings it all back! I remember the days when a 7UP pencil cas was a must have, when if you…read moredidn't have an earaser and corrector pen you were nobody, and when your rubber was a statement of your personality! What a hayday of stationary, and when you speak about your stationary past to your friends you all seem to share that glint of pleasure in your eye... wonderful! Stationary world is a more adult version of those wonderful childhood experiences, you can get some fantastic artistic materials, like mini canvases, binded drawing books and a wide array of paintbrushes. But have no fear, if you head in there are still many things your inner child will appreciate!

Back in the day when the first week of September was set aside for being measured for school…read moreuniforms and buying a new cartridge pen, my childhood self would often be found in Stationary World. But that was over 10 years ago and with the increase of Paperchases, Whsmiths and Scribblers I thought my much loved stationers would be just a distant memory. That was until I came across this little beauty on Park Street. As soon as I walked in I was taken back my school days, where having a cool pencil case was extremely important and buying glitter pens was considered to be very chic. I loved the fact that it was exactly how I remembered it - full to the brim of watercolour palates, colour pencils and sketch pads. All their items are reasonably priced for the quality, but are probably a bit higher than the average high-street stationers. I'm pleased it's still going strong for future generations. But sadly, I'd probably pop along to Paperchase to pick up my stationary these days.

Here we have a shop that sells, well, cards. Cards and party supplies that is…read more It's not quite Clintons in terms of quality or range but then also in terms of price, which is nice. It's much more of an independent store here but essentially the same sort of deal. If you're after a card for any occasion then you'll probably nip in here. If you're not after a card I doubt you'll be going to the Card Factory. They also have a range in small presents and accessories which are again not big in quality or price the same.

So, in the depths of Clifton, amongst the expensive but casual bars, the organic shops, and the…read more'interesting' but expensive furniture shops you wouldn't necessarily expect to find an authentic Mexican art and craft shop, or maybe you would! It is fair trade after all! Nevertheless there's a real nice mix of colourful things to feast your eyes on in here, from Mexican food to Mexican silver jewellery, and could be a useful stop on your Christmas present buying stops, you may find something a little more unique and individual to give. Most interestingly, if you're having a party and fancy a Mexican vibe invite Otomi and they'll spice it up no end!

Huddled away down Clifton Arcade, sits a real rarity. Mexican shops are few and far between in the…read moreSouth west of England. This vibrant and eclectic shop sells all things Mexican, ranging from food to jewellery to hammocks to cards and glasswear. It really is an interesting place to wonder into and have a nose. Shipments come in from Mexico on a regular basis, so stock is varied and changeable, but in an interesting way, rather than leaving you bewildered. The owners take the time to travel to great lengths to collect items to sell, making sure their stock is of the highest quality at affordable prices. It really is a perfect place to come if you want to buy something slightly different and interesting as a gift for a friend of loved one, putting a new and exciting spin on all the identi-gift shops you can find in the area.

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.

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

With a name like Sky there are certain prerequisites that one would expect to be upheld. For…read morestarters it must be a clear and blue place surely. Second it must have a light and airy feel and finally you have to feel free. Here we have a shop that ticks all the boxes with flying, umm colours. To say this is a shop that sells greetings cards and wrapping paper may very well not be putting it in the truest light possible. Rather it is a shop where artistic expression has run free and splashed pieces of art onto card and paper like the sunshine. More so it's a place where soft jazzy grooves fill the air and you get the impression that every last detail has been planned for with love. In short, I dig this place and highly recommend it.

Sort of a gallery, sort of a framers, and sort of a card shop, Sky is happy-go-lucky place where…read moreyou're sure to find stylish art or (if you don't have that sort of money) snazzy cards. The exterior is blue (like the sky, get it?..) and its light and airy inside. Unlike some places selling art it doesn't feel buttoned up. You can just have a wonder round without feeling like you should have three hundred quid in your wallet. The card selection is really good too. It's a little sophisticated - you won't find pink teddy bear cards here. I like this, if I wanted something more everyday I can go to WH Smiths. Whilst feeling stylish and intelligent Sky is somewhere that feels enjoyably relaxed.

Since I was a teenager I have loved the Paperchase chain. Their quirky stationary, their…read morebeautifully designed wrapping paper and their comical cards makes them my number one choice when it comes to birthday, Christmases and Bar mitzvahs. But what I love most about the Clifton branch is how they go to town on their window displays. Situated on the edge of Clifton Triangle, their fairy lights and neon signs shine out from the sea of bland and beige. Paperchase have stayed true to their vision of offering top-end design at a high street price which is why this small shop is always packed to the rafters whenever I go in.

After the demise of Boarders the place to buy Paperchase products narrowed to just House of Fraser…read moreuntil this dedicated store opened up on the Triangle, just a few doors down from where Boarders used to be. I'm a sucker for stationary anyway but Paperchase makes the experience of buying birthday cards or wrapping paper way more fun. The choice of cards and paper in this store is huge - way bigger than in a department store concession, although it can be a little on the pricey side. Having said that, if you like something like a diary or notepad it is worth waiting a few weeks as the sales here are fantastic, with products often being reduced by more than 50%. The travel journals and notebooks are a particularly nice way of showcasing a trip or holiday, though these are not often in the sale.

Gone are the days when Clinton Cards was the only place to go on the high street when you needed a…read moregreeting card or some wrapping paper. Now high streets across Britain are overrun with variations on a theme: brightly lit, tacky, depressing gift shops that persist in the peculiar belief that mugs make good birthday presents. This shop has nothing about it that sets it apart from any of the others, Cards Galore, Card Factory, Card Empire or whatever else the high street will come up with next. If this is what birthdays look like, I never want to have another one. Why does it all have to be so pink, glittery and disgusting? The flashing 40th birthday badges by the till really cemented how depressing this all is for me. I could imagine some drunk newly 40-year-old slumped in a chair at the end of the party, badge flashing bleakly... Anyway, if you need cards and wrappings and trimmings and all that stuff, do come here, obviously, because you'll find everything you need. It won't be a particular bargain here as opposed to any other card shop, so don't let the cheap appearance fool you.

Basically an alternative version of Clinton Cards, Birthdays sells tons of naff greetings cards,…read morecuddly bears and mugs, etc to people who either suffer from a lack of imagination or are just too busy to care. I'd always thought that this place was pretty cheap, but it turns out I was mistaken, as the unimaginative, cuddly bear emblazoned Mother's Day card I bought this afternoon, set me back a cool £3. Honestly, I'm not a cheapskate - I just can't stand card shops in general. I'm aware that £3 isn't exactly breaking the bank, but all the cards are basically the same, so you might as well head to Card Factory just down the road and pick up something for half the price.