Although Romantica is just down the road, a bit further up you will find Hallmark Romantica - which…read moreis essentially Romantica but without the gifts. This small shop sells cards, wrapping paper, gift bags and essentials for every occasion. It is a little pricey but there are some really beautiful cards. They have cards for every occasion and although it is expensive, you won't find nicer cards anywhere else. You will be sure to find the perfect card or wrapping paper here!

From the outside, this shop looks tired, dated and perhaps a little tacky. For this reason, I had…read morenever been in it until the other day despite walking past many times (and my boyfriend said he'd never been in for the same reason). I can't remember why we went in but once inside it was completely different to how I expected it to be. It is a really decent gift shop with a brilliant selection of stock - from cards ad wrapping paper to figurines (not tacky ones though, funky fashionable ones) and other funny stuff. Definitely was some stuff in there that I am going back to buy! The guy who owns it should change the sign on the front and make it more in keeping with what he stocks inside

In a world where things are getting increasingly automated and less personal, it's refreshing to…read moresee independent businesses rising out strong above the rest. Having only been in the area since June this shop, run by a six strong craft collective is a unique glimpse at the production of some beautiful products. I think it's the shop split in half that makes Fig such an enjoyable place to poke my head in: half the shop given to racks for gifts and cards and the other half to the in house artists. I asked the always friendly staff what it is that stood them out above the rest. They can't stress enough the importance of products being hand crafted, on the spot. They say it's a very refreshing and unique approach to their work. Pop in and see for yourself.

Not to be confused with Sage, a shop of a similar name and nature a few doors down, Fig is a great…read morelittle find on Gloucester Road, choc-a-bloc full of beautiful arts, crafts and handmade delights including greeting cards, prints and jewellery. Made up of a small collective of local designers and artists, Fig is a fantastic place to go for gifts but also for inspiration to brighten up your own home. The felt embroidery of underwater scenes by Katy Tarling and quirky prints by Jane Orme are some of the highlights while the greeting cards are charming but at around £3 each are a little pricey. Although the listings on the website say this shop is only open Thursday to Saturday I recently popped in on a Monday morning so it's worth stopping by if you're in the area a the beginning of the week as opening hours may be changing.

This brings it all back! I remember the days when a 7UP pencil cas was a must have, when if you…read moredidn't have an earaser and corrector pen you were nobody, and when your rubber was a statement of your personality! What a hayday of stationary, and when you speak about your stationary past to your friends you all seem to share that glint of pleasure in your eye... wonderful! Stationary world is a more adult version of those wonderful childhood experiences, you can get some fantastic artistic materials, like mini canvases, binded drawing books and a wide array of paintbrushes. But have no fear, if you head in there are still many things your inner child will appreciate!

Back in the day when the first week of September was set aside for being measured for school…read moreuniforms and buying a new cartridge pen, my childhood self would often be found in Stationary World. But that was over 10 years ago and with the increase of Paperchases, Whsmiths and Scribblers I thought my much loved stationers would be just a distant memory. That was until I came across this little beauty on Park Street. As soon as I walked in I was taken back my school days, where having a cool pencil case was extremely important and buying glitter pens was considered to be very chic. I loved the fact that it was exactly how I remembered it - full to the brim of watercolour palates, colour pencils and sketch pads. All their items are reasonably priced for the quality, but are probably a bit higher than the average high-street stationers. I'm pleased it's still going strong for future generations. But sadly, I'd probably pop along to Paperchase to pick up my stationary these days.

I have one real word for this shop...Pricey…read more Granted the cards are very nice but the are very expensive. If it's a special birthday - like 18/21/50/60, or you want a really lovely mother's day card or you want your valentines day card to really say 'I love you' then this is certainly the place for you. The choice is quite staggering. I personally prefer the 50p card shop just down the road for the everyday card. It's saving grace is perhaps the Thornton's counter - if you need a quick one-stop card and chocolaty gift then this is a good call, just don't expect any change!

Mother's Day, Easter Day, birthdays and anniversaries.. Half…read morethe reason I eat so much come Christmas time is the relief of having tiptoed through another minefield of upset family and disappointed girlfriend(s). When one does remember these precious days, however, Pack of Cards is on hand to support. Least not remembering all these special days and warning us well in advance they also stock a wide range of greeting cards and wrapping up paper for any occasion. It is the Thornton's chocolate counter where the real browny points are purchased. All the crunchy, smooth, spicy, delicious ones you remember and some you don't - they're all here.

Gone are the days when Clinton Cards was the only place to go on the high street when you needed a…read moregreeting card or some wrapping paper. Now high streets across Britain are overrun with variations on a theme: brightly lit, tacky, depressing gift shops that persist in the peculiar belief that mugs make good birthday presents. This shop has nothing about it that sets it apart from any of the others, Cards Galore, Card Factory, Card Empire or whatever else the high street will come up with next. If this is what birthdays look like, I never want to have another one. Why does it all have to be so pink, glittery and disgusting? The flashing 40th birthday badges by the till really cemented how depressing this all is for me. I could imagine some drunk newly 40-year-old slumped in a chair at the end of the party, badge flashing bleakly... Anyway, if you need cards and wrappings and trimmings and all that stuff, do come here, obviously, because you'll find everything you need. It won't be a particular bargain here as opposed to any other card shop, so don't let the cheap appearance fool you.

Basically an alternative version of Clinton Cards, Birthdays sells tons of naff greetings cards,…read morecuddly bears and mugs, etc to people who either suffer from a lack of imagination or are just too busy to care. I'd always thought that this place was pretty cheap, but it turns out I was mistaken, as the unimaginative, cuddly bear emblazoned Mother's Day card I bought this afternoon, set me back a cool £3. Honestly, I'm not a cheapskate - I just can't stand card shops in general. I'm aware that £3 isn't exactly breaking the bank, but all the cards are basically the same, so you might as well head to Card Factory just down the road and pick up something for half the price.

My preconception of Athena is of it being a place you went to as a student to buy posters to put on…read moreyour wall. It does have more than merely posters there now though. A good place to go to get a small gift It stocks a range of Edward Monkton gifts however, fancy giving someone a Pig of Happiness mug? Now you know where to go to get one. As well as the usual range of posters it sells canvas. There are some nice canvases for sale in the window at the moment which is a nice change from the landscapes kitch and iconic art.

Athena, located in the Galleries, specialises in posters, prints and fun (yet useless, in the…read moremajority of cases) gifts. It's a good place to go if you're on the look out for something small for a friend's birthday. That is, after you've searched through nearby Evolution and still come out empty handed. There are a few decent prints in here as well - worth a look if you're on a mission to adorn your walls. Most of it is pretty standard stuff though - don't expect to find any new or cutting edge art. I'd recommend heading down to Niche, in Stokes Croft and looking through the gallery of local artwork there, if you want something a little more individual.

Here we have a shop that sells, well, cards. Cards and party supplies that is…read more It's not quite Clintons in terms of quality or range but then also in terms of price, which is nice. It's much more of an independent store here but essentially the same sort of deal. If you're after a card for any occasion then you'll probably nip in here. If you're not after a card I doubt you'll be going to the Card Factory. They also have a range in small presents and accessories which are again not big in quality or price the same.

Super Saver is indeed a place where it is very easy to save. It is also a place where it is very…read moreeasy to go mad. Even allowing myself additional time before I go in here warming up in preparation to be amazed and blown away I just cannot conjure up any writing to creatively portray this shop. There is no known literary technique to sparkle up or re jiggle what goes on in this shop. They sell puzzle books, gift bags and cards. The cards are 50p. ALL cards are 50p.

I'm really fussy when it comes to buying cards…read more Firstly I refuse to pay over £2 for something that the recipient is likely to throw away after 2 weeks tops. Secondly, I hate cards that look quite nice from the outside but are then ruined by some soppy messages in the middle. In my opinion all cards should be left blank! So, Super Saver Store is my new favourite place. Every card is 50p yes 50p just 50p! Now, you might except the cards to be pretty naff at that price but no! I have genuinely found some very nice cards here! I cannot recommend enough, especially when you compare to the very expensive card shop up the road! My tip would be to buy nice cards when you seem them - they can come in waves and when you need a card they might not have one you like!

Wyatt and Ackerman is a nifty little family run packaging and stationary shop. Located on North…read moreStreet, it's a great place for Bower Ashton (UWE) art students to go and stock up on canvas boards, pens, paints etc. Selling everything from bubble wrap to catering supplies, till rolls and black sacks, this shop is a great place to stock up on all things practical. And if you're a business that needs bags designed, Wyatt and Ackerman are at your service, designing bags to suit clients' needs. Staff are friendly and helpful and prices are reasonable.

I know I get overly excited about stationery, but I know I also have friends out there who also…read morethink that a new pen is probably the best thing in the world. This is a great local stationery shop with a photocopy service. Staff are really helpful and there are plenty of pens, sheets of paper for crafts, a few canvas boards and lots of office equipment.

Cheap as you like, this place solves the ever-present problem of friends and family members…read moreconstantly turning a year older. I don't think people really keep cards, I certainly don't, so spending a load of dosh on something that's appreciated momentarily (and mostly for the thought anyway) seems pretty pointless to me. Step in Card Factory, with their range of economical Birthday, Valentines, Mother's Day, etc greetings. The best thing is, the cards from this place don't actually look that cheap, so no one will accuse you of being tight and not really caring that they're now 32, or whatever. Great.

The Card Factory is cheap and cheerful and I love it! I always resented Clinton's and Birthdays for…read morecharging £3 for a bit of cardboard with a pretty picture on it. In the Card Factory you can get pretty much the exact same card for a mere 59p!! This particular store is located in the centre of Broadmead. It is a small shop and they sure do cram a lot inside. It is constantly rammed packed too so you will find yourself breathing in tightly to squeeze past customers. There also isn't any real place to queue up so customers end up queuing next to the card displays which again causes a lot of deep sighs and mutters under their breathes from the other shoppers. Product wise, the Card Factory has an impressive range of sensible, flowery cards to rude and humorous ones. They also have a selection of gifts such as photo frames etc. It's so much better than Clinton's down the road and I reckon the quality of cards is just as high but at a 10th of the price. Note:- they accept credit cards, but your bill must come to over £5 so make sure you have some cash on you. Also be prepared for long queues at all times, especially in the run up to special events EG. Valentines day, Mother's day, Christmas etc.