Let's get one thing straight first. I love stationery. I enjoy stationery I don't even need. If I…read morehave to do a lot of writing, I prefer tipped pens as opposed to ballpoint, in as vast a variety of colours as possible. Now, we all know we can get multipacks of these at the local supermarket or pound shop, but it just doesn't feel quite the same as purchasing something from the bevy of office supply loveliness that is Paperchase. One thing you'll always notice when standing outside this humongous, triple-floor branch in the centre of Manchester is not the Big Issue seller, although that might make you feel a little guilty for overspending on that eraser shaped like a flower or that Dalmatian print stapler. No, the biggest wow factor is the window display. They darn well make the most of it. And it's seasonal too, whether it's that phrase that strikes fear and depression into the hearts of children between the ages of five and sixteen and teachers everywhere, 'Back to School', or Mother's Day, Father's Day, Easter, Christmas, Valentine's Day... Paperchase will always via the medium of magical window dressing find a reason for you to buy stationery. I'd seriously recommend this branch over any of the weeny little concessions in Kendal's or Selfridges. You've got way more choice. But this isn't just a place for quirky little diaries, fluorescent pink post-its, pencils in every colour of the rainbow, stickers, iPod covers, damask wrapping paper, furry pencil cases and heart-shaped calculators. There's so much more. It has one of the biggest and best greeting card selections I've ever seen. There are gifts aplenty for the friend who has everything. There are home storage solutions. Pretty boxes. Lunchboxes. Tupperware. You can even buy pet supplies. Little random toys for stocking fillers. Toddle on up the stairs and find an entire floor dedicated to art supplies. There's even furniture, clocks, mirrors... I could go on. But I won't. Go see for yourself. I'm telling you, you'll walk in with the aim of buying a simple mobile phone cradle for your office desk and you'll come away with five different photo frames in five different shapes. You have been warned...

Now January has started it's only a matter of days before retailers swap their discounted Christmas…read morecards for Valentine's Day cards! One of the best places to go looking for cool cards and wrapping paper is Paperchase. They stock sweet, witty, playful and kitsch cards from a variety of designers and a brilliant array of notebooks, journals, address books, recipe cards, pens and stationary. This being their biggest store in the North West, there's also good quality paints, pastels, paper, card and brushes for artists upstairs. Before you get too carried away and fill your basket full of goodies - check out the prices as some of the Japanese papers and pastels are pretty steep.

Incredible art store. I was blown away by how well stocked the store is. I loved the top floor with…read morecool crafts and unique art gifts to purchase. The second floor had every art supplies I could dream of, and the bottom floor was an amazing selection of paper and canvas. Truly a great art store for all

Incredible place, but dangerous at the same time as you could easily spend a lot of money in here!…read more The first time I popped in was when I needed a few items for an event and I thought I'd gamble on Fred Aldous having the stuff I needed - they did! Anything you need for arts & craft or decorations they have it and with some good choice! I've now been in a few times when I need to pick up bits and bobs or essentials for work i.e. scissors etc. Loads of interesting present and gift ideas in here as well so if you're out and about birthday shopping or it's coming up to christmas - I'd say Fred Aldous is a great option with some similar style stuff to Oklahoma! Most of the stuff here is well priced and I've always been fairly surprised that my total wasn't higher when purchasing as I think the interior and style gives off an expensive vibe but really it's good value for money! A short simple review for a top NQ shop!

Much less incognito now it has a cafe set up out front…read more Coffee strong and nice, served with ice water and a slice of lemon, nice twist, if you will. I'm loving the new trend of serving coffee with water in hot weather. Nice atmosphere and probably more for groups than a solo act tbh, can't moan though, lovely blend, will try a crepe or a quesadilla when I have not been filled by a home sweet home breakfast another day. The outdoor seating, although on Stevensons square is absolutely fine as it feels set back Enough from the street as to not feel congested... Also, the little vanilla biscuit spoon is a lovely touch. Will be back!

Incognito is exactly that; the number of times I have walked past and totally forgotten about its…read moreexistence is to be frank quite ridiculous. Once you step inside, you're a treasure trove the likes of Fred Aldous but with more focus on the gadgets and home decor than arts and crafts. Goodies here range from the practical - cards, retro rotary phones, beautifully decorated jewellery boxes - to the slightly silly - otter patterned tin, briefcase shaped cheese grater, skull light. (Who am I kidding, the cheese grater is amazing.) If you're struggling to find something for the person who has everything, this is a great place to start.

Cards Galore is a small cards shop in Piccadilly Station. There's not really any 'galore' to be…read morefound, but there are lots of quality cards on offer and is a good place to browse whilst you're bored and waiting for your train. Thankfully, Cards Galore refrains from having shelves upon shelves of garish cuddly toys which is somewhat of a blessing. Clinton Cards: yeah, you heard me. I can't stand those things everywhere.

I love Belly Button Designs. It's great to see an independent company which started by selling…read moretheir cards on check-out counters come so far. They have a great range of their own cards and cards from other designers such as Razzle Dazzle or Bon Bon, and also some cute and unusual gifts that make finding a last minute present a doddle. Cushions, bags, necklaces, candles and more in here, as well as gifts for children and babies, there's something for everyone.

A strange name I know but this place is a fab little shop that sells independent handmade cards,…read morejewellery, gifts, bags etc. They also do personalised cards and photo albums that will make a present really special. Staff are extremely friendly and the atmostphere is really chilled out. This place is only a small shop but its got a big heart (sorry for the cheesiness). Support local and independent talent and buy someone special a card/ present from here...I can guarantee it will put a big smile on their face.

This children and adults gift shop on Chorlton Cum Hardy's beautiful Beech Road is a treasure…read moretrove. It stocks everything from retro John Lennon prints to slogan mugs ( I bought one saying Desperate Housewife). If you are an attention to detail addict like moi ( some would say suffering from OCD, but I beg to differ), and you like sending beautifully wrapped pressies then Loop is your shop. My heart stopped beating at the divine fairy wrapping paper and I may just return and buy a sheet to put in a frame. Don't laugh, this isn't just wrapping paper, it is art!! There is also a great selection of gift cards and what I found really handy is Loop sells decade birthday cards; I recently found it an ordeal locating an 80th card but loop has these is abundance. Familiar brands such as Burt Bees and Charlie and Lola litter shelves with sweet Mr Men mugs. Prices are varied but a little on the steep side as leather handbags are priced at £105 and Toby Tiger babygrows start at £21.50. Loop has two room packed full of interesting things and the rear room showcased some seriously funky lighting and black and white photographs. The shop assistant was really nice but I left empty-handed. Loop is perfect for a special birthday gift but it would have to be for someone I really liked if I spent that much!

loop! is one of the only shops on Beech Road that I don't feel a bit embarrassed about going in,…read moredue to the fact that it is the only one that is larger than my bedroom. loop! isn't the kind of shop you'd go into every day, but is great for a browse when looking for gifts. They stock games and puzzles (including fun but educational gift sets for kids), pictures and frames, vases and some children's clothes. Personally I love the Edward Monkton series so this is where I go to pick up EM cards and knick-knacks. So if you've got a birthday coming up and have to buy a gift for the person that already has everything, then loop! would be a good place to start. If, like me, once you've found the perfect gift you get the sellotape stuck to the wrong bit of the wrapping paper and then bodge up the ends, then it might be wise to take advantage of their gift wrapping service too.

I'm a bit old fashioned and like to post cards for all my friends' birthdays and other celebrations…read moreand when you do that, it can get pretty costly. Luckily I have discovered this little factory that makes CHEAP CARDS! I particularly like their square 99p ones. They're made of thick card and don't look too bad. I'll admit they're no designer fancy cards made from doodles on textured paper, but they'll do the job. The shop doesn't get 5 stars because the ventilation is not great, especially if it's a hot day or that the heating in the mall is on full. It does get quite busy but the staff on the tills are fast and friendly.

Fab graphic tee-shirts? Tick Cool design books? Tick…read moreIncredible photography and art books? Tick Huge style bibles? Tick Quirky hand-made badges and zines? Tick Ace cards, stationary and wrapping paper? Tick Thanks to Magma, I was able to buy lots of unique and arty Christmas presents in one go. Wait, I forgot to get something for myself! How about the new Yoshitomo Nara book?

I bought something from Magma today! Yay,get in!…read more It's only 10 months ago since I wrote my review stating that one day I will buy something from here,and that day arrived today. Although I must state that in my previous review I said that if I did buy something, then it would probably be for someone else. Well I lied,I bought something for myself. Take that people who I would normally buy things for! What I bought was a cardboard solar powered nodding skeleton (you know you want one). It was supposed to be a build your own thing,but unfortunately the only one that they had in stock was the display model,which had of course already been put together,but that didn't bother me as I would've made a mess of it anyway. And because of this, the lovely Man who served me knocked 30% off the price....result! No longer in my eyes is Magma a museum of curiosities,it is now a cool shop of curiosities......

If you work out of town one of the most useful shops to have close by is a card shop. No matter how…read moreorganised you are there are always days when you look at your diary and realise that it's someone's birthday tomorrow. This is followed by a mild panic and a Google search to find the nearest card shop. Hallmark in Didsbury has saved my skin a number of times. It stocks a good range of greetings cards and wrapping paper for all manner of occasions. In addition you can find novelty gifts; soft toys, pens and mugs etc. The usual card shop staples. What sets this shop apart is its Thontons concession, providing more last minute gift options and a place to buy treats. And that's always good.

Magma Magma books is possibly one of the coolest shops I…read morehave been into in a long time! Why you may ask? Because it sells MOOMINS merchandise and books!! They sell all sorts of cool things here like books, magazines, swirly notebooks, cuddly toys (moomin ones!), eco friendly stuff which comes in the shape of recycled objects made into something else uselful, the mother board coasters are pretty snazzy! Like the other shops on Oldham street, its only small but the layout is perfectly set out to seem like there is so much space! I love it!

Situated on Oldham Street, but a hop and skip from the Night and Day Café lies this fantastic…read morebookshop. I've been visiting this place for ages, even if it's just to browse through the store and short list future gifts. I've recently acquired some American Film Making/Studies from there (the Steven D. Katz shot by shot/cinematic motion - books that are usually pretty hard to get hold of unless you're on the net. This is one of those places where the staff know what they're talking about and can help either find what you're looking for or influence you enough to take a punt on their own expertly led recommendations in the vast array of different books and magazines in this store (increasingly rare in the accountant led 'United Chaindom'). It's a shame many more shops were as enthusiastic and passionate as the folks behind magma...I know they can't all be this way but it's currently unfairly balanced. One large chain book store dominates now (and with unfortunately less choice, more celebrity led airport reading fodder) and with supermarkets getting in the act of the book market (albeit with a truly disturbing 'array' of 'books') we should be thankful that places like this are still open in our cities. A large section of this shop sells magazines which are more like the aforementioned coffee table books the higher echelon of mags if you will. Film, Architecture, Typography, Illustration, Photography, Graphics, Fashion, Art, Design, Cities all these creative acts and scenarios collude together in the books and magazine range. They sell a top mag called 'Specialten' which is a 'bi-monthly collection of short films, music videos and exclusive interviews' which comes with a DVD for the media. Just reminded myself to pick up the next edition as I type this... This shop (alongside one or two in London village possibly the other two Magma's as it happens) was the only such store to stock Daniel Johnstone's graphics/drawings books (and as such is referred to in the fantastic Daniel Johnstone documentary). Reanimate your creative synapses and spare at least half an hour to imbibe the glorious fractions of the arts world we don't see as much as we should. It's always a pleasure to walk into a store like this, find what you're looking for (or see something jump out at you which grabs your interest by the book ends) and after downpiping your debit/credit details into the 21st Century piggy bank walk from the shop, freshly acquired book in hand. Rifling through the pages of a new 'Ilva Table book' in a nearby boozer/café is one of life's great, small pleasures.