Giftique has a little bit of everything and rates pretty high on my list of variety shops…read more The stock is clean, the store is laid out well and there is no awful smell. I have said it before and I will say it again - while these are basic they are seriously important. As well as covering the basics, the store also has a lot of good quality items. I found some groovy garden ornaments that were priced well at around $8. There was also an awesome money box pig with a funny facial expression. There were items including: - stationery - vases - jewellery - costumes - tupperware - boxes and wrapping paper - and much more. The lady behind the counter greeted us on the way in and didn't say much else. I don't expect much more than that in a variety shop so that was good. I definitely recommend this place for some good quality stuff.

Every suburb needs a knick-knack/gift store that isn't naff. For Port Melbourne, Mister White is…read moreit. This designer homewares store offers the usual suspects of small furniture items, mantelpiece adornments, scarves, bags, cushions, giftcards, saltwater sandals, happy socks. If you've seen one, you've seen them all, but that doesn't mean that Mister White is not worth the trip in - it means there's a good chance if you know the type of gift or item you're after, you know that you'll find it here. Nice layout, quality products and good range across price ranges makes Mister White a cut above the competition on Bay St.

Mister White has a really lovely range of gifts and homewares and I used to shop here whenever I…read morehad to find a unique birthday present. I purchased a homeware product for myself though and when I got it home it just wasn't right for the space. I had spoken with the assistant when I was purchasing and she had said that I could bring it back if it wasn't right. I returned the product the next day, expecting that I could get a refund. I was told however that they won't refund any products - only a store credit. Whilst the woman I spoke to when I purchased it did not specifically say I could have a refund, it definitely wasn't made clear that it would only be a store credit. The assistant I spoke to when I was trying to return the product was also quite rude during our entire interaction. Given they are a homewares store and that some of their products really need to be placed in situ to see if they are really right, their store policy seems quite unfair. In any case, if that is the store policy they wish to enforce then they could make it a lot clearer before purchase. A small sign near the register doesn't really suffice. For this reason I won't personally be shopping there again as it's a deal breaker for me. It is a real shame though as they have the potential to be great.

My Range located near the corner of Bourke and Queen Street in Melbourne City is a narrow little…read moregift store with a big heart. Whenever I am last minute gift hunting (hope my friends don't see this) in the city, this is my go-to place. But be warned, there are heaps of gimmicks and clever little things so try and stick to your cause and buy you gift. I have to admit, I've been side tracked before and ended up buying some cheeky baby rompers for my nephew and a scarf for myself. That's the good thing about this store, it's stocked well enough to offer a wide range of products for all sorts of characters - from funky alternative sorts to mainstream lovers to those that appreciate a little humour. I'm a sucker for bird-motif items so this gets me everytime.

Pretty cool gift shop with a really adorable range of babywear. I bought my expecting best friend…read morean "as seen on Facebook" little baby jumpsuit thing. It seemed appropriate, as she's documented the entire process online. They've also got a range of rubber duckies in all sizes, colours and patterns, so you can have your very own Ernie impersonation party in your very own bath. Service is friendly and helpful, and the prices are definitely in the "gift" range rather than the "practical purchase" range. As I said, pretty cool, and worth a look around if you're after a gift for someone who already has all the practical things.

I first came across this lovely store years ago when I was just visiting Melbourne. I didn't have a…read moreclue where it was at the time because my sister who was already living in Melbourne drove me here. I fell in love with this store all those years ago but never thought take a business card or find out where it was. Years later, after moving to Melbourne myself, I finally found Crate Expectations in Malvern. And today I made my inaugural trip for 2011. This fantastic little store always has the best homewares and gifts. Today I fell in love with the printed fabric poufs and cushions. It's amazing how much is available in this store, which is just off busy Glenferrie Road. They've also got a gorgeous range of home scents and body products, flowy kaftans and dresses and a great mix of home products, kids's products and fashion accessories.

At first glance Fantastic Variety may look just like your average junk store. Well, it is that,…read moreplus a little bit more. I've managed to decorate my home with some pieces from there that I've also seen in more prestigious home wares shops like Provincial Home Living and Homeart. The beauty is because the shop isn't pretty, and because the stock is just stacked together in bulk, you'll get the same item at Fantastic Variety for half the price. Last week I was pleased to pick up some bamboo sticks of different lengths and sizes to go into a large wooden vase that's been empty in my living room for about six months. The same pieces were at Homeart and would have cost me $10 more for the same amount. They've also currently got some lovely French pieces; old hat boxes and war style letter boxes with French art and war stamps printed on them. To accompany the collection, French Bordeaux clocks of assorted sizes are also in stock. From $10 to $20, similar decorative clocks are available at Provincial Home living for more than double the cost. And unlike most cheap rip offs, these collections at Fantastic Variety are pretty good, to the naked eye at least you can hardly tell the difference and they'll make your space look just as effective, particularly if you're decorating on a budget. Some of my other fave items here are the assorted varieties of Japanese hanging lanterns, as well as bamboo door runners. My husband has a unique collection of islander wooden masks, and the lanterns and door runner have really added to the effectiveness of our 'tribal room'. Since relocating to a bigger premises within the centre, I've noticed the range in store getting more stylish and of higher quality. The store owners have also gotten a lot better at merchandising their best stuff and so you can see the value of some of their pieces in the window displays which have been quite fetching of late. So, if you're in the mood for some interior decorating on a budget, check out Fantastic Variety first. The window displays might even give you some good ideas and at least you'll be able to cost compare if you do go elsewhere.

Erinbank's full of treasures & I always go back when I'm in Melbourne, there's always something…read moredifferent that you know you won't find in the city shops. From clothes, hats, beautiful Japanese pottery, jewelry, there's something for every room in your house or if you're looking for a gift.

It seems like this shop has been around forever, and yet it never fails to delight and intrigue me…read morewith it's mixture of quirky homewares and stylish clothes that I never see anywhere else. A really nice lady owns this little shop, and she's very helpful without being at all in your face. This is always a lovely shopping, or just browsing, experience.

I just adore the range at Belki! This beautiful little gift shop in Rathdowne Village stocks some…read moreof my favourite local accessory brands including Nancy Bird and Polli. There's a great range of scarves, pottery, jewellery, handbags and homewares. Belki also has beautiful gifts and cards for babies and toddlers. The colour palate across Belki's merchandise blends together beautifully (think whites, tans, mustards, burnt oranges and reds), making you want to buy the whole store and do up your house like something out of a magazine shoot. Gorgeous! If you're on a budget the defiantly keep away, because this shop is so cute you'll end up buying all kinds of things you really don't need.

I'm the type of person who loves nothing more than to be unleashed in a decent $2 shop. You should…read morenever underestimate the vast range of "stuff you never knew you always needed" that these things have, until you scour the shelves. Daiso takes my fetish to a whole new level. Featuring only Japanese products (which are usually of a markedly better quality than other el cheapo shops) everything in Daiso costs $2.80. Random, but true. Aisles and aisles of quirky and colourful paraphernalia. A whole section dedicated just to bento boxes - could be the dream of an OCD organiser. Footwear, cosmetics, parasols, things you never even know existed, let alone only cost $2.80. BUt the best value for money has to be their home/kitchenwares. Beautiful Japanese ceramics as a bargain price. This store can be summed up in one word: Kawaii!

Daiso is a quirky Japanese store with lots of things to entertain you and they range from food to…read morestationary to gardening stuff to clothing. There really is no limit to the amount of products they stock and some are unique in there own way and also quite practical as well Well worth the look even if it just to see what they sell I'm sure you will buy something.