This is an absolutely amazing store. They have virtually everything... office supplies (they have…read moremore types of pens than I knew existed), greeting cards, ribbons, bows, gift bags, decorations, lights. You name it, they have it. Don't be put off by the relatively small space for so much merchandise. If you don't see what you want, just ask and one of the staff will find it for you. I've been going here for 25+ years and have never found a more service-oriented store in Hong Kong.

Sam and Company is a veritable treasure trove of stationary loveliness. Despite its excellent…read morelocation on Stanley Street, and the affect of this prime location on their rent demands, the store is not as jam-packed as many of its competitors in the area. They have struck a pleasant balance of a well stocked store, with plenty of products to browse, but enough space in the aisles to turn around without taking out half the shop. As is expected, Sam and Company sell pens, notebooks, printer paper, craft supplies, card board, red packets, greeting cards, as well as some rather random items like inflatable Hello Kittys, paper lanterns, plastic fruit and footballs. In fact, so good is the stock in there, that when I was recently looking for a non-self inking customisable 6 digit number stamp - yep, that specific, and had already flustered most as though I had asked for a left handed mug, the lovely owner/sales lady didn't bat an eyelid and just asked what size. I kid you not, she had an entire box of non-self inking customisable 6 digit number stamps. The point to the story is that Sam and Company have a lot of stuff. It's on shelves, piled on the floor, hanging off the ceilings, nine out of ten they will have what you are looking for (unless it is the aforementioned left handed mug). If you don't see what you want, ask the staff, there is so much more stuff secreted away behind the counter or out back. My only grumble is the staff can be a bit pushy. If the product you want isn't quite right, they get a bit shirty if you don't to buy. They also follow you around the store, but maybe that's just me and my dodgy looks? A definite must for anyone who needs anything craft or stationery.

It is never easy to buy gifts for your friends or family, however, if you stumble upon a store that…read morehas such vivid and vibrant colours, I am sure you will not take much time to know what you are going to buy as a present. What I am saying is a store called Prints. I saw this store when I was just wandering around the Elements, for a mall filled with so many shops, this one is rather eye-catching. Normally I am not easily drawn to walk inside a store, but this one certainly caught my eyes that day. Enter and you will find yourself surrounded by all kind of colours, stationary and paper products. They have such bold and creative designs that cannot be found else where. You may also check out their instagram (@printsinternational) to see the latest designs. The best part is that the staff are super nice. They provide professional advice to cater your needs whether you are planning a party looking for invitation cards or simply looking for thank you cards. They will help you customise your cards, so that your gifts can be one of a kind. So worry no more about your choice of present, come here and have a look. It is easier than you think.

The first time I was in this store, I was delighted (I have an unhealthy obsession with stationery…read morestores). Then I realized the assortment. never. changes (well, I am estimating 80-90% of it). It is so stale (and has seemed roughly the same over the past few years!). The plain stationery cards and envelopes are reliable options but the merchandise range becomes extremely tiresome after a few visits (and is on the pricey side - no surprise given the chain's high-profile locations, I supposed).

Buried in the busy chaos of Lan Kwai Fong...nestled below a bar and next to a cheesy joint called…read moreSharkies Snacks...you can discover a classy, heritage rich folk art and crafts store that has been in business in the same location for 40 years. It almost seems out of place next to places where people drink too much and are often over served, all while in crappy pizza slices on the street. Let me repeat...A BUSINESS IN LAN KWAI FONG THAT HAS BEEN IN BUSINESS IN THE SAME LOCATION FOR 40 YEARS!!!! This alone is worth a visit when Lan Kwai Fong is a sea of retail entities that are often only open for like 40 days! Regular, utilitarian items like clothing, jewelry, artwork and dishes, all creations are hand made by hardworking artisans from Asia, especially China. I am embarrassed that I have walked to and fro past their dark wooded store front twice a day, five days a week for about six months while hoofing to the gym, but it was only yesterday that I stopped in. The gentleman Sunny working and the older lady there on that day could not have been more gracious, kind and welcoming. There was an exhibition of tin tableware that was on display and also for sale. I purchased the cutest hand painted tin cup showing double happiness for $160HKD. I love it! Mountain Folkcraft is a lovely store. I look forward to no longer just walking by and stopping in to browse or buy some note cards or look at jewelry or buy a unique gift. I know it is a treasured store, not because I say so, but clearly after 40 years of being in the business in the same location, others say so too.

This shop goes crazy twice a year: Once around Rugby 7s, once around Halloween…read more Indeed, if you need any reason to hang around Stone Slabs Street / Pottinger Street risking of falling off miserably any other second, hunting for some good costume would be a good explanation. Forget about Taobao or online shop. We (aka the party crew) constantly buy costumes here for quite a few years of Sevens and Halloween already, and the quality is always superior than the Taobao-equivalent. You got everything covered here, from the old-school pirates or cops, to the latest Avengers or Minions. Come with size too - I once bought a Snow White costume that specifically designed for men. Heard you want props? Yes, you need props to party. Swords, glasses, wigs, wings, fabricators, masks, you name it. Quite abundance in stock too, which you can safely assume that you can buy the props in bulk for all two dozen friends in the party to make a matching theme. Now two minus points. One - the ladies were very, very reluctant to bargain. To a point that I believed they knew I needed the costumes badly (I did, as I had to wear them the day after), and they knew that they were sort of monopoly around, so they played the cards to the max. Apparently customer loyalty isn't that important to them, as people only come twice a year. Two - lack of costume renting. I got it, this is not their business model anyway, but I'd love to rent a Stormtrooper or other more polished costumes some time without spending 5-figure on it, or rent a very seasonal costume and return it back, without wasting it at the corner at my home. But if you look beyond these points, yeah, party time!

Spend $1200 for a small and normal flower basket less than 8 Rose in the basket. Not so much choose…read morein the shop and too expensive. Don't buy there.

I find buying flowers in Hong Kong can be a bit of a drama. You either go to the markets and risk…read moregetting a bloom that will be dead in a nano-second, or go to the really high end stores, that charges you an arm and a leg (showing your love has no cost apparently!) for a bloom, that will be dead in two nano-seconds. Well, after much trotting around, quite a few birthdays and anniversaries, and a lot of dead flowers and plants later, I have finally found Lovely Greenhouse, a great little store that sells good quality plants and cut flowers, but at a very reasonable price. Now I'm happy that Mrs L is happy - win-win all around...! The store makes up regular cut flowers bouquets and baskets, very much like the sort that you would give your mum, as well as wedding arrangements, and the specialist arrangements for events and openings (you know, the shop openings flowers that you often see around HK). They also have a small range of pot plants, mainly orchids, which are well tended and will last a few weeks for even the most talentless gardeners, i.e. me. On my last visit a week or so ago, I picked up one of these orchids for around HKD200. The brownie points from Mrs L was priceless, for the actual payment, there was Mastercard. Yep, credit cards and the like accepted. Even for phone orders. Personally, I prefer to visit the store. It is conveniently located in the MTR mall at HK Station, underneath the IFC Mall. The shop is kind of sparse, some may say minimalist, without so many displayed arrangements, with most wrapped up in the fridges, so it's good if you have an idea of what you want to buy before hand.