Choices, choices...well, I used to indecisive, but now I'm not sure…read more Sorry, had to be done. I'm still indecisive (honestly, I really, really am...I think), so you can imagine my conundrum when entering a shop like Choices. And it had a lot of them. Choices, that is. This is probably the best stocked gift shop I've ever come across in terms of variety. There was everything from Betty Boop initial mobile phone socks (yes, really), Fresh Cargo bags (they're the ones made out of old juice cartons), sausage dog draught excluders (my Grannie had one just like it)...the whole shebang. The shop was mainly inhabited by little old ladies, with one such customer having great difficulty in deciding which jewellery she should go for. Does this match? How about this? One might say, she was indecisive... Or there were too many Choices...

Great wee gift shop with ideas and gifts for every occassion, large range of ceramics, candles,…read moreornaments and perfumes, inside the Castle Mall so you have late opening on Thursdays and Fridays until 9pm. Staff are extra friendly and can never do enough for you while instore.

Yankee Candle shopper heaven. If you're a fan of Yankee Candles, flowers, paintings and prints, and…read moregeneral pretty items for your house, then The Gift Shop is a good place to pop into. Yes, I know it's labelled as somewhere to buy gifts for 'other people', but you can't help but want some of the items on offer, because some are really tasteful and lovely. I don't love all Yankee Candles, some of them are too strong and scented, but one or two of them were really nice and subtle, so I bought a couple. The prices are reasonable too, so if you're are looking a gift or just some nice bits and pieces for your home and want to treat yourself, then The Gift shop is a good place to have a look.

Buzzzz. I'm like a…read morefuzzy little bee to a yummy scrummy honey pot when it comes to gift shops. As soon as I spot one, I'll fly, er, I mean walk in and embrace the lovely gifts and cards. Aaaahhh... On a miserable wet day in Lisburn, as my brother, sister and I dander around Lisburn Square, I just so happen to note the word 'gift' on the Aroma sign. "I'm heading in!" I holler, dashing in. Having thrust each other that knowing look, they follow suit. Aroma is your average gift emporium, only cheaper. It's filled with inexpensive cards and lots of lovely gifts...and a whole wall of Yankee Candles. Me likey. There's a bit of a tradition in our family concerning these gorgeous scented candles. If any of us are near a Yankee Candle selling shop, we pick up a couple and purchase them, just in case (there are currently nine melts in our cupboard...let's be realistic, when does 'just in case' ever happen?) My dad usually buys some of the more dodgy smelling melts for my mum, so I've taken it upon myself to buy the melts, seeing as I'm the one with the better scents, I mean sense of smell. Subjectively speaking of course... Choosing two of the nicer smelling options, I noted the fab price of 99p for each of them (score!) and went happily on my way, siblings in tow. When I got home, my mum was super impressed with my smelling skills. Sorry dad, looks like you've been relegated to the not so scentsational smelling category. Be scentsible and head on round to Aroma for a (cheap) candle or two. Ps. Apologies for the awful jokes. I just couldn't help myself...

Exquisite is in the "I wish" category of gift shops. "I wish" I could afford these beautiful gifts,…read more"I wish" I had someone to buy that scented paperweight for, "I wish" I knew why I never thought of going to Exquisite for so and so...and the list goes on. One "I wish" that has been a possibility, and indeed a reality, is "I wish" I could have a peep in Exquisite sometime. This came to be a couple of months back, and again two days ago. Oooh goody. Exquisite really could not have a more appropriate name. The shop oozes style and glamour, its stunning gift and jewellery range exuding charm. With names such as Couer de Lion, Shira, Pilgrim and Jackie Brazil jewellery all featuring in the jewellery section, you know this is going to be snazzy stuff. I love the fancy belts and buckles - cowhides, gems, embellishments galore. The kids clothing range is absolutely gorgeous, and would make a really special gift for a little 'un. Exquisite also stocks incredibly diverse gifts, from Lilly Flame candles to Dora designs scented paper weights, from East of India ribbon to umbrellas and lampshades. There is certainly plenty to choose from. One final "I wish". I wish I could buy the whole shop...

I really do like this shop. It's lovely for a browse or to pick up some small item like a nice…read moredesigner piece of wrapping paper or a funky little card. The only problem I have with Exquisite is that it is too expensive. They sell the most darling little outfits for babies and toddlers as well as gorgeous little unique books and toys but be prepared to pay through the nose for the bits and bobs baby will grow out of very fast. I recently picked up a cool little outfit in the sales for a new born baby and was chuffed that it was reduced way way down to £5.00. I also bought my nephew a little wooden trike designed like a cow. it is totally beautiful but completely impractical as the wheels are so spinning the wee man nearly crashes every time he gets on - obviously not the shops fault but it is being sold for aged one!? anyways, they also sell Pilgrim jewelry and lovely hair pieces for that special occasion - just be prepared to dig deep into the old wallet.

The Yankee Store is a very welcome addition to Ards Shopping Centre, it makes the whole place look…read moreand smell better. Not that it smelled funny in the first place, I would never suggest that. Walking past you are lured in by the luscious scents and this is just me imagine what it would do to someone who actually like candles. The shop itself is stocked to the brim with Yankee Candles in different designs and flavours. After walking in I took a note to self, come here at Christmas I could get half of my presents in one shop. Yankee Store does not just stock candles it stocks home ware items that are of the Cath Kidson genre. You could imagine seeing the items from the Yankee store displayed in Ideal home magazine. Very crisp and clean, items that will add to the theme of your house. It is absolutely perfect place to shop, kind and helpful staff that will even wrap your purchase if you as nicely. This is worthy of every one of its 5 stars, classy and elegant!

As a recent addition to Ards Shopping Centre, the Yankee Candle Store is a pleasure to both the…read moreeyes and nose. With its arrangements of flowers scattered throughout the store, this is literally a breath of fresh air in the commercialised shopping centre. Upon entering I am instantly thrilled to find that the usual dull metal shopping baskets have been replaced with red gingham wicker baskets- which instantly makes my shopping experience much more enjoyable (largely because I feel like Little Red Riding Hood). In this particular store, the staff members are friendly (without crossing over that fatal line of becoming pestering) and I feel free to shop in peace and at my own pace. As well as probably stocking every possible scent imaginable, the Yankee Candle Store also offers a fantastic range of home decorations, with everything from ornaments to sentimental signs. Although this branch is quite small in comparison to others, the space is used well- creating an almost homely atmosphere.

In my quest to find the cheapest Yankee Candle melt in all of the greater Belfast area (see my…read morereview on 'Aroma'), I decided my next stop was to be Regency Gift House in Newtownards. Actually, that's a complete lie. I used to walk past this gift shop on the way to work, and would always note the china mugs displayed in a little wooden cart on the outside of the shop. So really it was sheer nosiness that brought me here. But we'll not mention that to anyone...ssshhh. Upon stepping into the shop, my eyes caught sight of the Yankee Candle display, in all its colourful glory. I immediately picked up a beautifully scented 'Fruit Salad' melt and glanced at the price - 95p! I'd found it! The cheapest Yankee Candle melt in all of Belfast, at just 95p. Naturally I had to purchase this alluringly aromatic Fruit Salad candle, just to add to the ever-growing collection of my mum's (think was no. 11 I purchased today). Oooh, it was a good feeling. Aside from the Yankee Candle collection, Regency Gift House has the most beautiful china / pottery / ornamental gifts for incredibly decent prices. Waterford Crystal, bronze figurines, Belleek pottery...it's all there. Oh, and by the way, the Yankee Candle melts are only 95p, just in case you missed that. It's going to take me a while to get over this fabulous news anyway...

I guess this is the kind of place where people go to buy people little things that make them smile…read morefor a while. Then the little things become dust gatherers and there is nothing I hate more than dust gatherers! I hate delph and trinkets and statues of dogs playing the guitar - you know what I mean. Other people do like this king of thing otherwise this shop would be gone. There is cabinet after cabinet of delph, candlesticks and silverware. Tyrone Crystal and Beleek pottery have substantial amounts of things stocked here. There is also a full wall dedicated to baby gifts like photo frames and little money boxes with 'baby's first baby box' on it. Two things always get me about this place. First of all they have quite a good collection of those little dinky replica cars, motorbikes and trucks. These are displayed in the front window and have been there for years. The range stretches from Delboy and Rodney's three wheeler to a Goldliner bus. Secondly, there is a wooden cart out the front filled with bone china mugs with a variety of images on them: dogs, cats, cows and rather bizarrely, those little dolls called golly-wogs - isn't that little racist image not illegal now? I'm sure it must be. Anyway, if you want a trinket or a little statue of a ballerina this is the place to go.

Flowers are a man's grimmest task. You pay a lot of money for what essentially begins to die as…read moresoon as you pay for it. Flower, is one of the places that's best to go if you want good value for money. I bought a bunch of flowers for £30, which is quite a steep price, but I got the biggest bunch of flowers I think I've ever seen. I could have planted this thing in the ground and filled a flipping garden! The lady was really helpful considering just how little I know about flowers, this was quite helpful!

Used this place for Valentines Day this year and have to say I was very impressed from start to…read morefinish. First class service, compared to the usual Valentines Day service (I.e. someone shows you a few pictures on a menu card and you hand over your money) Called in Saturday, staff were pleasent and talked me through the options, and when I obviously hadn't much of a clue offered suggestions & options both in terms of keeping the price down and getting me what I wanted. Offered to deliver on Valentines Day or pick up, I picked up (for covenience) everything was ready as expected and the price was definitly better value I would say than the usual brand names. In summary a good little shop, offering real customer service in what is really a mass market industry for Valentines Day - would hearlty recommend and will visit again.

Oh wow. This is the kind of shop where your Mum says "Don't touch ANYTHING" (and mine probably…read morestill would given half the chance), and you're consistently pretrified of knocking into stands or attempting to pick up an ornament only for it to fall and break. And yes, I have been there and done that (not in this shop though, thank heavens). Mortification x 100. The walls are absolutely brimming with a huge array of gifts. The mind boggles at such variety, and in fact, I can't even remember what all was in Little Heart, but I think that's the beauty of it. I was in sheer awe and how much choice there was in such a teeny shop, but you literally have everything from goregous jewellery to fragrant candles to beautiful bags and accessories. I'm definitely popping back in for my sister's birthday, having heard the continous demands of "I want this" and "Oh, look at that", or indeed a simple "Oh my word!". Do pay a visit to this snug little shop, tucked away in Queen's Arcade. It truly is a hidden treasure.

Little Heart is a lovely little boutique shop in Queen's Arcade. It's great for birthday /…read moreChristmas / special occasion presents for any ladies in your life (I'm presuming most men wouldn't be too keen on most of the items in here, but I won't rule it out!) they sell a lovely range of jewellery, knick knacks, purses, teddies, note books, writing sets and so on. They also have a great range of kids toys and items. As mentioned previously, they sell the Pilgrim range (sometimes at great discount) and my personal favourites from the shop are the Sesame Street teddies, and the amazing new range of home ware which includes notepads with '1980s style laptop' written on them or coasters with 'elbows here' or 'protect the table!' etc. It totally appeals to my sense of humour. Take a wee peek in to this lovely little Aladdin's cave.