This is part of well known chain that can be found across the Sussex range. However, the Lewes…read morestore is probably not the best place to come if you have a choice. I would probably say this is the equivalent of Windows '95; everything here is a bit dated and obsolete. I'm pretty sure the first Harry Potter book has just gone on sale here...only kidding. This is a bit second rate though, so I can't imagine your stationery or book needs being met here. This store can just be considered a historical tour.

Mojo is a tiny gift shop on the main street in Lewes. In comparison to the numerous other shops of…read morethis elk, Mojo is definitely on the cheaper side. Yes, a lot of it is useless tat, although I'm desperately trying to think of somebody who would appreciate a beany hat with an attached beard, or a selection of stick-on mustaches! They do have a great selection of quality gift cards that are a little different from the norm, and there were some beautiful teacups in the window with a very funky bird design. I resisted them on this occasion, but if any one wants to get them for me for Christmas they would make me very happy!

This store is massive, which seems strange, as the main item it sells is less than 2mm thick, and…read moreno more than around 7 inches tall. I have to say as well, that you can really feel the shopkeepers headache as they try to space out everything they have here to fit the shop. Most shopkeepers would die for extra space, but you get the feeling that actually this Clinton Cards would happily (but not necessarily openly) welcome a smaller shop. There is unsurprisingly a huge amount of pretty cheesy and generic cards on sale, perhaps too much?

Clintons in Lewes isn't too bad. It's pretty much the run-of-the-mill card shop which you'd find in…read moremost towns and cities. It's pretty small but stocks a wide range of products and ranges, especially Me to You and you can get a good bargain in the reduced section. The aisles are nice and wide, which is ideal for those with buggies or wheelchairs, or just those who dislike being in a cramped shop with people barging past you. They also provide a helium balloon service, enquire inside for more information.

Alas, Graffiti is not a store devoted to street art and spraypaint…read more It's actually a tiny stationary store that specialises in cute, cool and tasteful greeting cards, wrapping paper, journals and memo pads. They have cards with neat illustrations, black and white photos and neon signage as well as more traditional flowers, landscapes and cute hula hula girls. My personal favourite, is the kitsch range of knitted Marilyn, Elvis and James Dean cards. Oh and the naked gal in the martini glass of course!

I used to really enjoy making my own cards and I never ever bought them- it just felt so impersonal…read moreand such a waste of money. That was back when I had time for leisurely arts and crafts days. These days, I inhabit a different world and subsequently I suddenly love a good card shop! I especially like a card shop with a proper selection. There's something really satisfying about taking your time to peruse the shelves and take in the full selection. I know most people don't take great pains over the selection of a birthday card, but since I no longer have the energy to make my own but still want a personal touch, I am really particular about it. Graffiti is great for my purposes because it seems to specialize in pretty, arty cards with floral designs and illustrations of birds etc. on the front. Just my cup of tea. They also have a variety of art cards, which use prints and designs from collections at the V&A among other galleries. If you're not after a flowery, girly card- don't worry, there's plenty of others to choose from. They also sell lovely printed wrapping paper and although the prices make me flinch, I usually can't resist! All round, a much more interesting and tasteful selection of cards and stationary than you're likely to find at Clinton's!

Moleskines were once my guilty little pleasure: I would buy them just to fill them with random…read morescribblings, doodles and notes, then buy a new one and start all over again... Just because of the love of scribbling on paper. I've grown out of that a little now, entering the electronic age and all that, but still have a youthful lusting after lovely new paper and pens. When the mood strikes me, I browse through Pen and Paper to regain that part of my life, and it always puts a smile on my face. If you aren't quite as obsessed with some stationary as I am, this probably won't register, but Pen to Paper does sell some of the nicest stationary around. Moleskines, real paper, various lovely pens and pencils (proper writing utensils, mind, not biros or something), that sort of thing: an artist's paper shop, in effect. I love the idea of being able to buy bits of paper and write on them, but then this is all such nice, expensive paper... Now, I'm indebted to the electronic age now. I'm happy to be the guy how types everything these days, or makes notes on his Blackberry over buying new notebooks every couple of weeks. Still, it is nostalgic to breeze through Pen to Paper's lovely products: if you were ever a wistful poet upon the heath, this is definitely for you!

In the digital age where most people communicate through text and email, its comforting to find a…read morestore that's with-holding the tradition of writing and sending letters by hand. As the name suggests, Pen to Paper is a cosy store that sells beautiful stationary, tissue-lined envelopes, greetings cards, fountain pens and boxes of ink. It also stocks exquisite Japanese papers, address books, journals and a wide selection of lovely, pocket-size notebooks and sketch pads.

1st choice for all my cards. A great range and great prices, the service is good to…read more Not only do they sell cards they aell a range of other things, wedding gifts, novelty items, calenders and paper for Christmas.

Love the card factory they are the best in the area for cheap cheerful cards always go there for…read moreall my cards !

Partytime is a very busy, slightly chaotic but somehow incredibly useful shop…read more Head here for any kind of party goods - cards, balloons, candles - anything for either a child or adult party can be found here. In particular, they have goods for particular seasonal celebrations - I finally found some halloween zombie make up here after searching many other shops without sucess - I'll come here 1st next time. A very good place for birthday cards in particular, with many under £1.

This place does what it says on the tin and then some...it really is party central! It's full of…read morethe most amazing amount of celebration tat you could ever imagine! I'm talking banners, balloons, party bags, wrapping paper, party poppers, confetti...you get the idea. They take partying pretty seriously in this joint- whatever you ask for, guaranteed they'll dig around and find it for you. Halloween? Christmas? Hanukkah? New Year? Whatever the festivity, you can get some plastic tack to help you celebrate. Enthusiasm sure is the name of the game. And it is always so packed! Who knew that the residents of London Rd were secretly busy decorating their homes with streamers and glittery birthday banners all the week long? Aside from the fact that Partytime is gaudy and a bit strange, it is also fairly useful and very cheap. I have twice recently found myself in need of coloured tissue paper, and guess who has a great selection at a price you can't argue with?

a good selection of everything the bigger Clinton stores stockread more

Riverside Flowers is a cute little florist stall based within the Riverside building in Lewes. They…read morehave a great display of flowers - you can grab a couple of bunches yourself or the florist will put together a bouquet on your behalf. They will also give advise on what goes with what, and how to get the longest life out of your blooms. As well as their store, they will also do deliveries and will do flowers for weddings, funerals and any other such occasion. I grabbed myself a couple of bunches of Narcissi on this occasion, the beautiful yellow and orange petals and the delightful smell enough to brighten any house, even in this endless winter that we seem to be experiencing!

Ordered via iFlorist and Riverside Flowers fulfilled the order for them. The recipient hasn't…read morestopped raving about the quality of flowers and the professional way they were presented. I will definitely be using them again in the future.