When I searched for gift shops in Boston this was the first shop that came up. I am so glad it did…read morebc I would not have discovered this slice of Italian heaven in Boston! I found a license plate for my aunt and picked up a hoodie for myself.

Great Customer Service!…read more We ran in minute before the closed and the owner was very patient and helpful. Told us to take as much time as needed. Large gift shop with lots of great affordable souvenirs.

Great stationary store with elegant design items, including pretty rare fountain pens from Japan,…read moresome mid century modern sensibilities. Enjoy the customer service, they were attentive, informative, and clearly passionate about their goods.

I was incredibly sad when Black Ink was forced to leave Harvard Square, but my inner stationary…read morenerd rejoiced when I finally stepped into Topdrawer for the first time yesterday. I initially thought it was a clothing or travel store, given the nomad branding, but it's actually a combo of Boston-based everyday and travel accessories and a Japanese stationary store. 4.5 stars rounded up for the stationary, atmosphere, and service. The space itself is airy and sleek, with an island of pens, pencils, and notebooks bordered by well crafted bags, glasses, and reversible slippers that looked so fuzzy, I wanted to touch every one. But really, I was there for the stationary. Japanese stationary is the pinnacle of paper perfection, and Muji is usually my go to. But here, the quality is top notch, reminding me of a miniature Kinokuniya (NYC) or the couple stationary stores I visited in Japan many years ago. Not a vast collection here, but a well-curated one that's hard to get elsewhere in the States. I delighted in all the different pens, pencils, and fountain pens on display. The various notebooks had beautiful paper -- some handmade, some not -- so I was incredibly slow as I marveled and mulled over what to pick. I'm not a planner/journal system person (think Traveler or Midori), but the leather covers and inserts from another brand made me think seriously about changing my journaling practices. In the end, I had to restrain myself. I finally picked out a couple letterpress postcards with a daruma figure on them, a little notebook (one among many other fish designs), and a Pentel touch fine felt tipped pen. I'm an avid journaled and letter writer, and I can't wait to share these goodies with friends and penpals. Prices are a bit higher than your average stationary store, but it looked high quality. Opening a store during the pandemic is tough, and a sleek lifestyle store usually isn't my cup of tea. But the guy on staff was incredibly friendly and open to sharing the background of the store, and the displays drew me right in. They also have covid protocols, like opened doors, air filters, and ample hand sanitizer when handling merchandise (plus trays for placing items for sanitation). I will definitely be back for more stationary!

This store has something for everyone. Their card section is one of the largest and most unique…read more You can most likely find a card there for any occasion. They also have so many pen options with a table where you can test them out. There are many gift options too. They are located in Union Square where there are many other stores and restaurants. I recommend checking it out.

A visit to Tiny Turns just made the start of my year so much better. It's been a while since I've…read morevisited, so it was a delight to see the larger store on the street side of Bow Market, which they moved to in 2023. I didn't have time to explore the whole store (my little creature didn't have enough patience for shopping), but I will definitely have to come back. They've got so much good stationary to satisfy serious aficionados (fountain pens, Japanese and French brands, letterpressed cards, etc.), as well as a mountain of cute gift items that I could equally get lost in. But my agenda today was a paper planner, and thankfully their planners and calendars are still 20% off. Even though it's near the end of the "season," they still had a good selection from the class Leuchteum notebooks/planners to some brands I wasn't familiar with. I ended up picking up a Sooofa planner and a Hobonichi notebook (yes they have notebooks now, not just their planners!), plus some cute unique cards and stickers. (This was me being restrained.) The prices are more than you'd pay at larger chains like Paper Source, but the curation and focus on small brands and quality make it very worthwhile. I had a nice chat with the owner during check out and plan to be back very soon. It's totally worth pairing a stationary trip with a visit to Remnant Brewing for coffee or beer, or brunch/lunch at one of the many good restaurants in the area.

Cute store in Inman Square! They have all your stationary needs, and the cutest trinkets! They also…read morehave letterpress done in house which some are for sale. I also love their localized products, we got a Cambridge magnet :) Check out this store to grab some cute stuff or sign up for some of the events they have!

Albertine Press is a wonderful, curated store in Cambridge packed with beautiful stationery, unique…read morehome goods, and gifts from local designers. Walking in, you're immediately struck by the variety, shelves and tables filled with interesting dishes, an incredible selection of greeting cards, art prints, and all sorts of thoughtful items for the home. We spent a long time browsing and loved seeing so many different and creative designs we hadn't seen anywhere else. It's the perfect place to find a truly special gift or a little something to brighten up your own space. The prices felt very reasonable for the quality and uniqueness of everything they carry. It's a fantastic spot for anyone who appreciates good design, supporting local artists, or just needs a great card. We left with a few treasures and will definitely be back.

Always a great experience ordering from Leavitt & Peirce! As a returning customer, I'm consistently…read moreimpressed by how fast their shipping is. Picked up the Norwegian Shag at a fantastic price--fresh quality as always. Highly recommend!

KUDOS to Sean,the manager, for providing supreme quality customer service! The selection was…read moreexcellent and full of choices of postcards and soap! The value was exceptional since they give military discount! I paid $12.37. I highly recommend all to come and visit to support this local business!

I had a great experience at my glass workshop here! It was very fun and calming experience. The…read moreclass fits six people and it starts with an overview of glass cutting techniques. Then you get to make a creative piece of your own. I made a coaster with a flower design. It didn't come out perfect but I love it anyway!

THE CUTEST LITTLE STORE! You simply must visit. Unique, quirky, colorful homeware, most of it…read morehandmade. Lots of glassware, dishes, and other small home goods. Generally things are on the pricier side but that makes sense for handmade, unique items. A great place to shop for presents! They also have classes where you can make your own coaster or small plate from glass, which I can't comment on since I haven't taken one, but hopefully I will in the future!

Still a bastion of sanity, art, culture and decency in Harvard Square and in a crazy world. I did…read moremy undergrad at Harvard, and spent many a day in this bookstore, and I spent many a hard earned dollar there too! That was when there were a dozen of bookstores in Harvard Square. Downstairs, a lot of great used books, at great prices. Wonderful selection, pretty cool special events, and a great staff. Highest of recommendations. No negatives whatsoever.

Harvard Book Store sits on Massachusetts Avenue in Harvard Square and has been a fixture of the…read moreCambridge intellectual landscape long enough that it functions as a landmark rather than just a retail destination. We walked past the large windows and stacked displays visible from the street, and they invited us in before we had made any decision to enter. Once inside, the floor to ceiling shelves and the density of the selection created an atmosphere that is difficult to rush through even when we came in with a specific title in mind. The main floor covers new releases, staff picks, and a broad selection organized by subject across fiction, nonfiction, and a range of specialized categories. The curation reflects the surrounding community in the best way, with titles that reward browsing beyond the obvious bestseller tables. Staff are knowledgeable and genuinely helpful when you want a recommendation or need to locate something specific, and the information desk handles navigation questions efficiently without making you feel like you are interrupting. The basement is where the store distinguishes itself most clearly from a standard bookshop. The used and remaindered book sections downstairs cover an enormous range at a fraction of the cover price, and the quality of the used stock tends to be high. Spending time down there is one of the more rewarding ways to move through the store, and we came up with something we were not looking for when we went down. The remaindered section in particular offers discounted new copies of titles that did not move at full price, and the selection rotates enough that regular visits continue to surface new things. For an independent bookstore that delivers on depth, curation, and genuine value in the basement, Harvard Book Store is a Cambridge institution worth returning to again and again. It is the kind of place where you go in for one book and leave with a stack, and that is exactly how a good bookstore should feel.

This is one of the coolest stores in Cambridge! As a life long Bostonian I frequent the MBTA lines,…read moreso it was so cool seeing it all come to life. I picked up a full view map of the MBTA system for my room and my friend got a few MBTA pictures. One of the most noteworthy components of this store is the service, it is incredible! My friend and I came in 10 minutes before close, unknowingly, but the sales associate and manager helped me find exactly what I was looking for and didn't rush us at all. They also have a real-time tracker of the MBTA trains which is one of the coolest techno gems I've ever seen. If I could, I would buy everything in this store.

I've been passing by here and didn't get a chance to check it out until now. Upon entering, I was…read moregreeted by a friendly staff. The shop was busier than I thought, with plenty of customers browsing through their selection. They have a plethora of signs and maps on not only posters and boards but also on magnets and even T-shirts! I wouldn't have thought there could be a shop dedicated to Boston-related maps and subway systems. Also, I finally figured out where people get their MBTA Halloween costumes; it's here. Overall, a cool niche shop. Glad I stopped by.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

Bodhi Leaf ... Wow! Ma Kali guided us to this shop. An amazing Tibetan gift shop full of wonderful…read moreclothes, fabric wall hangings, incense, jewelry, Buddhist items and more. The owner was wonderful to speak with and we made several purchases. We will be back to buy more when we visit Boston next time.

Whenever my mom visits from out of town, this is one of her "essential" stops in the Harvard Square…read morearea. The shop owners are always super welcoming and helpful, and they remember her from year to year. Lovely selection of ladies' dresses and other apparel. And such a peaceful atmosphere!

Excellent gifts and of course I found something for myself too! The best thing was not even the…read moreplethora of choices for great gift giving, (which was perfect!) but the person working there was just incredibly kind, patient and helpful. On my way out he even mentioned the "competition" shop across the street, (Magpies) which was so helpful! I found really unique and special presents in both places and was happy to shop in a place that's comfortable sharing the wealth. Adorable store, really well stocked! Don't miss it if you're in town!

My go-to shop for quick, yet thoughtful gifts. Conveniently located in Davis square, and cleverly…read morenamed Davis squared, this shop has a great selection for everyone. Gifts that are specific to Somerville/locals, things for the basic b*tches (using term in an endearing way, we all love a pumpkin spiced latte), niknaks for those with specific interests, fun ingredients & essentials for cocktail-making, artsy puzzles, unique home goods, toys -- this place has it all, and with personality. +The shop always has cool music playing and the owner is chill. Pricing ranges, so there are budget friendly finds. And they always wrap the gifts for me, which I appreciate.