I love Yankee Candle, like every girl does! There is so many different scents but I always end up…read morecoming out with the same ones. The larger candles are quite expensive but they last so long and the smell doesn't seem to fade. It's great for gifts, they have pre-made candles and oil burners in nice packaging starting from as little as £9 going up to about £40.

Buzzzz. I'm like a…read morefuzzy little bee to a yummy scrummy honey pot when it comes to gift shops. As soon as I spot one, I'll fly, er, I mean walk in and embrace the lovely gifts and cards. Aaaahhh... On a miserable wet day in Lisburn, as my brother, sister and I dander around Lisburn Square, I just so happen to note the word 'gift' on the Aroma sign. "I'm heading in!" I holler, dashing in. Having thrust each other that knowing look, they follow suit. Aroma is your average gift emporium, only cheaper. It's filled with inexpensive cards and lots of lovely gifts...and a whole wall of Yankee Candles. Me likey. There's a bit of a tradition in our family concerning these gorgeous scented candles. If any of us are near a Yankee Candle selling shop, we pick up a couple and purchase them, just in case (there are currently nine melts in our cupboard...let's be realistic, when does 'just in case' ever happen?) My dad usually buys some of the more dodgy smelling melts for my mum, so I've taken it upon myself to buy the melts, seeing as I'm the one with the better scents, I mean sense of smell. Subjectively speaking of course... Choosing two of the nicer smelling options, I noted the fab price of 99p for each of them (score!) and went happily on my way, siblings in tow. When I got home, my mum was super impressed with my smelling skills. Sorry dad, looks like you've been relegated to the not so scentsational smelling category. Be scentsible and head on round to Aroma for a (cheap) candle or two. Ps. Apologies for the awful jokes. I just couldn't help myself...

Oh. My. Word. I think I'm in love. No, I KNOW I'm in love....with this extra-fabulous shop. Sigh…read more Trade Winds is quite possibly my favourite ever gift shop. It stocks such a wide range of, well, everything really, that you'd never be tired looking. It was pretty busy when I went in yesterday, with mainly young girls eyeing up all the beautiful gifts / toys / accessories / jewellery, and their mums keeping a careful watch over them. Amongst the wide variety of stock were gift bags, cards, candles, novelty toys and games, funky clocks, wall-hangings, beaded curtains, bags...and so much more. I discovered the cutest little wooden cat light pull for £3 some odds, and immediately knew I had to buy it. Nothing to do with the fact that it was incredibly sweet and lovely, and everything to do with the fact that my mum had smashed the previous one off the bathroom wall, causing it to break into a thousand pieces. Indeed. Staff were exceptionally pleasant, but kept a business like atmosphere about the place. That sounds like a bad thing, but I guarantee is really wasn't...it was an incredibly well run shop. All I need now is an excuse to go back. Mmmm, when is the next birthday I have to buy for...?

Well what a wonderful wee shop, highly attractive both outside and in. I could have spent hours in…read morethis delightful wonderland looking at all their pretty pieces of pleasantry. What captivated me most were the gorgeous jewellery boxes, sweet note pads / writing books (teeny tiny small ones to super big ones) and amazing mirrors (even one whose frame was made from vines of trees.) All the items were being sold for very reasonable prices. I was actually pleasantly surprised by how cheap most of it was. Maybe that's what a day shopping on the Lisburn road does to you though! I'll definitely be back in here when I've (a) more time and (b) more money. The staff were pleasantly talkative and left us to our own devices after greeting us, not in your face nosy or shyly secretive, just a nice in between. A superb shop selling some splendid stock!

Not everyone is a fan of candles or room fragrances, however it's not just the overpowering…read morecinnamon sickly, strong fragrances to choose from anymore. Most people have some kind of candle or fragrance at home or even the car. It is an ideal shop to get a gift for someone who doesn't like flowers or wine. This Yankee store in Forestside is big in comparison to the small yankee concessions found inside other stores. They have everything from tea lights, candle holders, burners, car air fresheners, small/large jar candles and wax melts all in a variety of scents. Pink Grapefruit, Black Coconut, Cranberry pear, Sicilian Lemon are a few of their fruity fragrances, Ebony and Oak, Sunset breeze or Midnight Jasmine are other good alternatives. I like getting their fragrance sachets in sea spray, I also have a small 'soft blanket' candle for my son's room.

There's not a whole pile I can say about this store apart from it sells smelly candles…read more Okay well it sells a bit more such as Potpourris, tea lights and car fresheners but basically you only come to this shop if you parents are coming up to visit your house and you haven't cleaned your room in months. Anything you buy in here will automatically hide the fact you can't be bothered cleaning. However my mum absolutely loves this shop as she likes to have a different aroma (that's smell to me and you) in every room. Therefore I came to the shop to get her a gift box. For £13.49 I got to choose a small jar and box of Tea lights from a range of fragrances that were then presented all wrapped up in a wee box, almost as if I had made some sort of effort. Ha! This shop is great if you have a thing for candles and fragrances but other than that you're better off avoiding it as it smells. A lot!

China craft is a lovely wee gift shop in Queens Arcade. It sells a great range of china, stone and…read morecrystal. If you're going to a wedding you can pick up some nice Bellek china, Waterford or Galway crystal and other beautiful Irish fine wear. They also sell the lovely Yankee candles and other smelly things, cards, teddy's, frames and other gift ideas. I love popping in here around Christmas to get some really nice gifts at affordable prices and it also comes in handy for birthday presents too.

China Craft is not so much a gift and flowers shop as a…read more'locally-produced-glassware-and-china-shop-which-make-for-lovely-gifts" shop. Phew. You can understand why its labelled the former, rather than the latter. Belleek pottery, made in Co. Fermanagh, and recognisable by the green shamrock which sometimes features on its giftware, is available in the China Craft, as is Tyrone, Waterford and Galway Crystal. Those 'not-quite-so-locally-produced' gifts include a ornamental angel collection, a selection of Yankee Candles, and my absolute favourite...Charlie Bears! Oh, they are just so cute. And collector's items. Not for toying with at all. I couldn't resist a cinnamon sachet, reduced to £1.99 due to it's seasonal association, and decided to purchase that. I almost did grab a Yankee Candle melt, only to be told it was £1.60. Eeeek. Be warned, it is a tad pricey. Completely ideal if you're looking for a gift / special souvenir from Northern Ireland, or not from Northern Ireland, as the case may be. You may even want one of those highly collectible Charlie Bears, with their cute fuzzy faces. Or maybe that's just me...

It's happened to all of us- you realise it is Auntie Joan's birthday, or a mate has a baby or the…read morekids announce there is an unexpected party to go to and the thought of trailing into town fills you with dread. Well fear no more, problems always solved here. They have a great selection of cards and gifts for all occasions and little nic naks like picture frames and mugs, bags and books to cover most emergency gift situations. You can park outside and it won't break the bank, bingo! They also have additional space upstairs with seasonal stuff and party requirements, as you probably think you have birthday candles somewhere, but you don't. ;-)

Just For You has been on the Belmont Road for absolute donkeys (since 1985 apparently), and is…read morestill going strong. It's wide variety of cards, gifts and stationery make it an invaluable outlet for birthdays / Christmas / other occasions. I have fond memories of coming in when I was a kid, and my mum searching through the masses of cards 'til she found the perfect one. Now I've started doing the same thing (yikes), and find Just For You a wonderfully tranquil setting for doing so. The staff are friendly and laid-back, and you can really take your time gazing at the vast array of beautiful gifts. Among my favourites are the cute mini novel clocks which come in the form of pianos, golf bags, animals and the like, as well as the Bridgewater Candles which smell simply delicious. The best bit, however, is the hidden section upstairs, containing Fiorelli handbags, Disney figurines, gorgeous furniture, tapestries and luxurious scarves. At Christmas time, this area is buzzing with Christmas gifts, ornaments and decorations...it really is like Santa's grotto, exuding such a lovely cosy atmosphere. In fact, the whole shop really is very comfortable and intimate all year round, making for a truly lovely shopping experience. Just For You of course...

Oh wow. This is the kind of shop where your Mum says "Don't touch ANYTHING" (and mine probably…read morestill would given half the chance), and you're consistently pretrified of knocking into stands or attempting to pick up an ornament only for it to fall and break. And yes, I have been there and done that (not in this shop though, thank heavens). Mortification x 100. The walls are absolutely brimming with a huge array of gifts. The mind boggles at such variety, and in fact, I can't even remember what all was in Little Heart, but I think that's the beauty of it. I was in sheer awe and how much choice there was in such a teeny shop, but you literally have everything from goregous jewellery to fragrant candles to beautiful bags and accessories. I'm definitely popping back in for my sister's birthday, having heard the continous demands of "I want this" and "Oh, look at that", or indeed a simple "Oh my word!". Do pay a visit to this snug little shop, tucked away in Queen's Arcade. It truly is a hidden treasure.

Little Heart is a lovely little boutique shop in Queen's Arcade. It's great for birthday /…read moreChristmas / special occasion presents for any ladies in your life (I'm presuming most men wouldn't be too keen on most of the items in here, but I won't rule it out!) they sell a lovely range of jewellery, knick knacks, purses, teddies, note books, writing sets and so on. They also have a great range of kids toys and items. As mentioned previously, they sell the Pilgrim range (sometimes at great discount) and my personal favourites from the shop are the Sesame Street teddies, and the amazing new range of home ware which includes notepads with '1980s style laptop' written on them or coasters with 'elbows here' or 'protect the table!' etc. It totally appeals to my sense of humour. Take a wee peek in to this lovely little Aladdin's cave.

I la la la laaaave this gorgeous, enchanting little gift shop. It leaves you bedazzled and…read moreenthralled, and wishing you had a slightly bigger limit on your credit card (seriously, £300 is *nothing*...). The Lavender Box combines beautiful jewellery (the likes of Pom, Coeur de Lion, Pilgrim), with stunning gifts (I spotted the cutest wooden Noah's Ark, and the animals all had their own places), and exquisite clothing / shoes. It truly has it all. The front section of the shop is home to the gifts, filled with fancy knick-knacks such as candles, ornaments, figurines, stationery etc., as well as the jewellery. Cabinet after cabinet bursting with the most dazzling jewellery (there was 20% off some items the day we were in, but I managed to behave myself). The back section of the shop is home to a beautiful range of very unique clothes. Not really my style, but very classy and elegant, with a bit of a retro feel to them. Alongside these lie a good range of Irregular Choice shoes, which, as most of you will know, are a gorgeously kitsch, and somewhat pricey shoe label (and to die for). Oooooh shoe lust... The owner / sales assistant was very friendly, though her attention was diverted to a customer who was trying on a pair of Irregular Choice boots, and couldn't make up her mind which colour to choose. Nevertheless, she spoke to us, and was very amiable, and I commended her for dealing with the Irregular Choice boot lady (jealous...), who obviously needed her help much more than I or my sister. La la la laaaave it even more now. Absence makes the heart grow fonder 'n' all that...

Tiger is really just a modern 'junk shop'. It's a bright, light, contemporary space filled with…read morecheap, mass produced, predominately plastic 'Made in China' tat (yes, even though it's a Danish store). I think of it as being like a car boot sale full of random items including candles, nail files, beads, cheap craft and art materials, games, toys, coffee, spices, makeup brushes, napkins, sweets, yoga mats, hand wash, notebooks, novelty knick-knacks, pots, pans and picture frames. Despite the fact that Tiger peddle a pile of rubbish, I quite enjoy a good riffle through it. Since everything's so cheap I tend to lose my mind and am tempted to buy all I see. Thankfully, sense intervenes just in the knick of time, so I always manage to leave the shop empty handed. However, when I next need napkins, candles or a new yoga mat I might consider heading straight to Tiger. I envisage it as being a useful shop to pick up Christmas stocking fillers or novelty items to bulk out 'proper' birthday gifts - for people I don't like or for when I can't be bothered putting any effort or thought into gift buying. Much to my shame I must admit I do like Tiger, in spite of my better judgement. Thus is the seductive and dangerous appeal of such shops. After all, surely we need more plastic and rubbish in the world....or do we...

This is my type of shop! I wanted to buy everything and walking around gave me so many ideas for…read moreevents! Tiger really has everything - it's sort of like little snippets of life, that as quite a strange thing to say but what I mean is that it's not a shop selling specific products, it sells a little bit of everything. I saw craft items like canvases and paints, as well household gym equipment. It even had a gourmet food section. If you're planning a party visit Tiger. It's the perfect place to pick up novelty items like quirky straws and party games. Cost wise it's not expensive - the price tags are weird though - they try and encourage you to buy multiple items by pricing things as 4 for £2 for example. Even for singular items the tag says '1 for £10'. Strange. A few people have compared this to Ikea - I can see the resemblance - it oozes Scandinavian coolness. I loved it - was really quiet when I went in so I got to have a good nosey around.

It just struck me (like a bolt of lightening, some might say) before I began my review as to why…read morethis place is named so...Hardys Hardware. Excellent. Aside from the innovative name, Hardys is a pretty darn good wee shop. The fact that it's slightly more than a hardware store made me feel slightly more at ease (you may recall my previous review [singular] of a hardware store, and how I felt completely out of place), but I have to say that it was also the accompaniment of my dad that made the whole experience generally nicer. Thanks Daddy. Back to the vast range of stock though. Yes, it's got the wood, tools, gadgets and DIY stuff, but there's a huge variety of other stuff too. There's toiletries, household cleaners, pet goods, home decor...even confectionery! I got lost in the toiletry section while my dad looked for some man thingy. Or something like that. It's definitely the extensive assortment of goods that makes Hardys that little bit special. Hardys and Other Items You May Find Yourself Needing doesn't have quite the same ring though...

One of the best general hardware and DIY stores you will find in NI. The range is huge and its more…read moreconvenient being in the centre of Comber than travelling to B&Q and other superstores in Ards north Down or Dundonald.