No joke, some of the maddest shit ever made from wood is contained within this building. I mean…read moreproper crazy, crazy on a stick even. Go in for a gander, you'll see at least one thing that makes no sense. I love it.

I have to confess, this store scares me a bit... you wander around by yourself, it's dark inside,…read moreand you're surrounded by ancient Indonesian tribal pieces and gigantic eagles carved out of dark wood. You could almost imagine it being the scene of the next big horror movie (one role I wouldn't ever hope to star in!) But don't get me wrong, this is an amazing store, filled with some awesome authentic pieces from around the world. If you have a few quid on you and you like the earthy look, head in here for some great finds. If it's a Balinese warrior's mask or some sculptures from Irian Jaya you're looking for, be sure to make Decor your first stop. They also have a wide range of canvas paintings going for around the 300 euro mark. Interesting for a bit of a gander, and just so you know, you can go upstairs, there's more on display up there!

Renaissance caught my eye on a day when the shop's sign wasn't even up. In front of the large shop…read morewindow in the George's Street Arcade were two searingly hot pink rococo arm chairs, just two of the incredibly diverse antiques and replicas stocked here and in the shop's second location on Capel street. Inside a serious collector stroked a blue dragonfly Tiffany lamp, chatting amicably with the staff. Taking a look for myself I found an incredible mix of old and new, genuine and "homage" pieces on sale for the kind of prices I'd readily pay... if only I had somewhere to put a marble-topped sideboard and six foot mirror. The vibe in this shop is fun and a bit frantic, something which is echoed by the company's manic website, crammed as the store is with photos of new stock and scrolling updates on the lifespan of each location. Next time you find yourself in the market for a gift with personality for the homeowner who has everything, might I direct you to the only shop in George's Arcade that prominently features more than one Betty Boop statue over three feet tall?

A shop dedicated to handmade goods from Ireland and further afield…read more Not a bad spot with lots on offer for Christmas and any other time you need prezzies. However - it might not be for the uncool among the shopping peoples, sadly I am one of them. Yes I walk among you, looking hip and with it, but then I go in to Makers & Brothers and see the oddly shaped bracelets - which my wife tells me are not for people with oddly shaped wrists - I cant see the point, they look uncomfortable... I start moaning like some, old, not with-it old man, someone who makes funny groaning noises as I get out of a chair.

If you are an urbanite from the U.S., this is the store you are looking for in Dublin...bee-line…read morefor it to avoid sifting through an array of commonplace chain stores and tacky tourist traps. The shop sells craft items, traditional and contemporary, but all of fine quality. Most of the stock is Irish made, but there were also items such as German (iris hantewerk) wooden brushes. There is a selection of price points because they sell locally made jams right on up to Inis Meain sweaters and probably beyond. Anyhow, if you want to bring home a gift that somebody will appreciate because it isn't generic and mass produced? This is your shop. I wish I had seen more like it.

Meadows & Byrne is a pretty cool home and garden shop in Dun Laoghaire. It's one of those places…read moreyou walk into with no intention of buying anything, and then leave with a whole range of interesting items you never knew you'd ever want or need (but you need them now!) They sell all sorts, from kitchen furniture to glasses, to 'slurp' soup mugs, to banana leaf trays and garden settings. My favourite item in store is the wall-mounted wine opener, which comes in at a pretty 139 euro (ouch, but once you see it no price is too great!) A good place for some Sunday shopping if you're of the inclination. They also have an Insomnia cafe attached for those who tire of their partner's browsing habits.

This is a nice big open store with plenty of ideas if you are furnishing your home...at a price…read more Good selection of cooking and kitchen gear and they are mostly where I go when I am looking for something in particular as they generally have it. Think Ikea but more expensive so keep an eye open for their sales as they generally have a good bargain to be found. When you do bite the bullet and buy something you generally still love it even after a few years and their stuff is always good quality so perhaps they may be expensive but worth it.

My friend and I stopped into this charity shop yesterday and it was quite nice. It was small and…read morenot organized super well but that added to the charm. The prices were very reasonable and there was decent selection. I ended up getting a small glass bottle that I needed for a friend's gift and it was €3. The cashier was friendly and checked me out quickly. I ended up going to a couple of different Oxfam locations around Dublin and this one has the best selection and was the biggest. I'm not sure if this is the biggest overall but it was a good size.

You can find all kinds of furniture in Oxfam Home, from 60s bubble rocking chairs to Ercol dining…read moresets, but the pieces are usually towards the funky end of the spectrum. Prices are good, but not too good - as always Oxfam has a fair idea about the worth of things. As well as furniture, it also has an above par secondhand book section.

Specialising in Art Deco furniture, this antique shop is a true gem, jam-packed with amazing lamps,…read morearmchairs, tables, cabinets and in top-notch condition. They also have smaller pieces, like a silver champagne bucket, cocktail shaker, glass vases, original Art Deco prints and posters and sculptures. The owner, antique expert Niall, has been in the business for 20 years (and hosted the RTÉ show The Dealers) and travels extensively to scout for the perfect pieces for the store. He also has a warehouse with unrestored items interested buyers can view by appointment.

Sheets, curtains, pillow cases, table cloths, net curtains any of the things in your house that is…read moremade of big swathes of material is sold here. I like this shop because sometimesits hard tothinkof where you buy this type of stuff and generally when you do think of it you endup naming a department store or some big box retailer but there are small shops out there that do this stuff! When you walk into this shop though you almost feel like breaking into asoundofmusic classic tune and wrapping yourself in a green sheet and dancing around a bit! There is always a bit of asale in here to as far as i can see, i havent bought too much in here yet, think im waiting to become more domestic or something!

Right, I should start this by pointing out that I am male (least there be any confusion), the…read morecreator in his infinite wisdom has not equipped me with the where-with-all to either appreciate or understand interior design, cushions are a complete mystery to me. None the less Affinity is a nice shop to wander in to and have a rummage, they have gifts of the 'herself would appreciate this' sort of variety and the staff are willing to bend over backwards to accommodate any random questions or queries short fat balding guys have as they wander around the shop. While she-who-must-be-obeyed wanders and "oohhh's and Aaahhh's" at the goods up for grabs you, as a clueless male can sneak up stairs to where there is a rather fine little tea-room (that also serves wine). Perfect.

I feel pretty, oh so prettyyyyyyy ... that's what your house will be singing after a stop into…read moreAffinity. They've got all sorts of beautiful things to make any house feel fresh and new. The staff is definitely much friendlier and more helpful than the ones you'll find in bigger shops and that's part of the charm of this place. if you're in a generous mood and looking to buy somebody else something they've got a good selection of shiny, pretty gifts, including jewelery and glassware. Even if you've nobody to buy a gift for you can always buy yourself something nice!