I ordered a lovely classic notebook from Passion for Paper online - it was to be a very special…read morepresent for someone and when it arrived it was gift wrapped beautifully with a gift tag and string - all without charge, with a little note saying thank your for the order, and I might want it wrapped as it was to be a present. The order came quickly and the product is going to be well loved.

As a kid I used to be so excited for the day that we would get to go and buy stationary for the new…read moreschool year, And a trip into Passion for Paper is like the grown up version of the same excitement it's great. So much classier than typo or Kikki D, the items sold here are really well made. Indeed they are specialists in stationary and paper products. I often find myself buying little gifts for my friends and familia when I am in here. They do their own printing service for engagement and wedding invitations etc and if you so desire you can even choose wax seals as a finishing touch! Totes the real deal. If you want to check out the rest of their offerings, hit up their website. It has most of their catalogue online.

Typo is one of my favourite stationery go-to places. Honestly, Typo have brilliant, quirky birthday…read more& occasional cards that aren't mainstream and banal. Also Stock diaries, notebooks (by the gallon), iPhone protector cases (from $5), Gift bags, photo frames, homewares, travel accessories... shall I go on lol. Very cost competitive (you can find a gift under $20), young & vibrant sales team that are always helpful. I have shopped here numerous times and find there is so much value for money & gifts that make people smile. Yelp! Typo is fab!

This shop in Lynnmall have some nice gift ideas, I have bought a cool kiwiana bag tag for a family…read moremember a wee while back, and have enquired about their range of watches, some dressy, some casual (all were a bit pricey). They also stock a large range of cards - why oh why are cards so expensive?! The majority I looked at today were over $6.00. This is why I often resort to making my own I guess! I like Elements none the less, they have some really nice household decorations (cool owl collections at the moment) and display them well at the front, draws in my attention when I walk past.

I needed to buy some presents before my recent trip to visit a nephew and niece under the age of 14…read moreand Smiggle was the answer to my calls for help. This store has a crazy cool amount of options to choose from for the young and hip kid. I loved that there was a different style and colour for every pencil case, folder, writing book, journal, and money safe. It did make trying to decide on a design quite hard at first, but with help from the really friendly and chatty sales assistant, I was on my way with a bag of Smiggle gear for the kids in less than 15 minutes. Smiggle has everything the kid would need for school. For example bags, wallets, lunch boxes, drink bottles, funky slap bands to swap with friends, writing tools. It's completely endless, and mind boggling what they have come up with, it's like they have entered the child's mind and asked- what would you want? Always a fun time shopping here, I get to be a kid for a bit.

I always find something in Acquisitions that surprises me. Just when I think novelty gifts couldn't…read moreget any quirkier, they surpass my expectations. Acquisitions is filled with anything and everything, so if you haven't got time for a good browse, the staff are always happy to point you in the right direction. I particularly like their range of greeting cards. The pop-up ones here are awesome and they're great for something a little different and fun when giving a gift to someone. The last time I was there, I saw a great artwork of the American flag and writing this really makes me wish I'd bought it now! They do a lot of Kiwiana stuff too, so its great if you're looking for a little piece of New Zealand. I always come back to Acquisitions for small gifts, because the service is exceptional. One guy I remember was super nice, not pushy at all and knew the products inside out. My partner and I had a great conversation with him and he helped us find what we were looking for. A grade service! I only wish this place was a little more central in the mall, so more people would get a look in. Its great for a nosy and you never know when you'll be heading back there for those champagne flutes, that cute key ring or last-minute stag party supplies.

This is pretty much the perfect place to buy a gift for your mum or grandma. They have lots of…read morelittle trinkets and ornaments and that kind of thing, perfect for a Christmas present or mother's day. This is also a cool place if you want to buy some unique souvenirs, not the usual boring kiwi souvenirs that you find in every generic souvenir shop, here they have some cool handcrafted Kiwiana. I think that is the coolest thing about this store, but they also have plenty of other things for sale like home ware and cooking utensils. You know, all that stuff that your nana would love. For guys, it's one of those shops that you kind of want to just get in, buy a gift, and get out, and the layout of this store makes it pretty easy to do just that.

Want to buy a gift for somebody and have absolutely no idea what to get them? Flying Saucers could…read morehold the answer. Every time I walk into this shop I find something that I could not have imagined there was a use for, but not in the way of the $2 shop, something kind of cool and funky that people won't look at you funny if you give it to them. There are also always the old staples like smellies, jewellery etc. The only thing is that everything costs about double what you think it will. If you spend $40, the gift recipient is likely to think you spend $20; $100 and they will likely think $50 etc. So it will be an expensive gift-giving excersize.

I really enjoy popping in from time to time, and checking what is new on the shelves at this cute…read moregift store on Mokoia Rd. Can be overlooked as the store, is located between takeaway food stores, and a skate clothing outlet shop. Venture in to find an amazing range of choice. All the gifts have an artistic flair to them I believe which is amazing. I arrived not knowing what I wanted to buy, and found two presents within minutes- that is not hard to do here. Walk out the back of the store and there is an outside section that sells outdoor/garden gifts- a favorite area of mine. A creative option of gifts here before the store across the way.

Art of Gifts is a gorgeous collection of art and gifts... predictably. There's so much to feast…read moreyour eyes on it's a bit much to take in in one go. What caught my attention first was the stash of wallets on the shelf to the left of the entrance. They were leather and came in all sorts of colours and styles and patterns. For what they were they were quite affordable. I was hooked by a $19 coin purse! Wondering around the rest of the store you see lots of home décor stuff and quite a bit of Kiwiana. The best is outside the back. It's quite easy to think you're done after doing a quick circuit inside but if you potter up into the outdoors you will see a beautiful garden with great little things to make your own garden look just as beautiful. I was mentally taking note of everything I wanted so I could come back on payday and spend up large.

This is a great gift store in Newmarket which sells things mainly for males, hip flasks, hunting…read moregear, wallets, that sort of thing. It is only a small shop, but they have some great items inside, and it all looks like really good quality. Of course you have to pay for the quality, but there's no need to be a cheapskate on your gift giving. They have quite a few chess sets for sale here, really beautifully crafted pieces and boards, especially the full table set. These chess sets are actually at quite a good price too, considering how it's so hard to find a good quality one in New Zealand. For the ladies there are some things, but like I said it is a small shop and unless your mum is keen on hunting and/or drinking whiskey I'd probably go somewhere else for her birthday present.

As gifts shops go, this one has little something special. Quirky is how I'd describe it. Inside…read morethere are a ton of presents for people (as described on the shop window) who have everything. This is pretty accurate I thought. The gifts were the kind of cool things that could brighten up someone's day but certainly weren't essential. My absolutely favourite were the money tins. Each tin specified something that warranted paying a fine (putting a coin in the tin). I very nearly bought the farting one for my brother-in-law. Now that I'm home I wish I had. I might have to go back and get it - they were only $7!