Top Gift Shops

Not On The High Street.com

Website: www.NotOnTheHighStreet.com

This website is a fantastic way for you to shop at hundreds of small, unique and independent shops and boutiques - all in one place.

You simply add what you want to your virtual online basket without the need to log on to lots of different websites. It’s a virtual shopping centre!

Hawkin's Bazaar

The next date on the calendar to be aware of is April Fool’s Day. Not a common time to send gifts and cards, but none-the-less, there are bound to be a few pranks and practical jokes going about.

It is a common time to read some strange tales in newspapers, or hear bizarre news on the TV or radio.

£249.95 at Firebox

The latest interactive creature to hit the shops is Pleo, an animatronic dinosaur. If you think Roboraptor was good, you’ve not seen anything yet!

£19 at Hotel Chocolat

I received my Hotel Chocolat Easter brochure last week which had me drooling from page one. The chocolates look so delicious, I just had to recommend one of their scrummy Easter eggs as a gift.

E-Flowers

Website: www.eflowersuk.co.uk

You can’t beat a bunch of flowers to say a simple message - I Love You, Thank You, Get Well Soon or Congratulations. Especially on Mum’s Day, it can be just the thing to show her you care.

E-Flowers are an online flowers site that have been going since 1985, it’s a very easy to use shop and has some beautiful flowers on offer.

Oddbins

Website: www.oddbins.com

You may have thought Oddbins was just a high street off licence. Think again. They have a brilliant website that has some great offers on wine, spirits and drinks for all occasions. And not just any bottles of plonk. They have a range of champagnes, cognacs, fine wines and aperitifs to suit every taste (however weird).

Their gift drinks come in collectable boxes - the kinds of boxes that all mums love to keep - just in case! Make Mother’s Day for your mum by getting her some lovely bubbly.

Screwfix

Website: www.screwfix.com

I know it seems bizarre to be writing about a tool shop on a gift ideas website, but honestly, this is the place to buy presents for dads. My dad is always doing DIY (and he is very good at it too - luckily!) so he always need some new tools or other.

Tool and DIY sites are great for buying birthday presents for dads, husbands and all DIY enthusiasts. Don’t forget Father’s Day in June as well!

Discoo

Website: www.discoo.co.uk

Discoo is an online fashion shop with an eye for detail. The clothing is sourced from all across the globe with many unique and quirky designs, many exclusive to Discoo.

Interestingly, it originally started in 2003 as a university project, but has now developed into a fabulous online boutique famous for its personal touch.

Hawkins Bazaar

Website: www.hawkin.com

Remember the good old days? Of school days and playgrounds, when the 6 weeks holidays would seem to last forever? Well the Hawkin’s Bazaar online shop takes me right back to those days. They have all the little nick-nacks we used to play with, things I thought didn’t exist anymore!

It’s a great site to browse in your lunch hour but beware, you could get lost in the vastness of gift ideas it holds.

Priority Pass

Website: www.prioritypass.com

Holidays and trips away can be something to really look forward too. Most of us count down the days until our next break away to escape from everyday life. However, being at an airport is usually the worst place to start your trip away. If you hate flying and airports and the whole rigmorole, a Priority Pass could turn it around and make the airport a much more enjoyable experience.

This is the perfect gift idea for someone you know who travels a lot for work or leisure or maybe has a round the world trip planned and would appreciate a bit of luxury en route.

Alpharooms.com

Website: www.alpharooms.com

Whilst it is still officially winter and a bit cold, dull and dreary, this is the perfect time to think ahead and book your spring or summer holiday. Even if you can’t manage a whole week away, why not book a weekend break to a European city, or a short break on a mediterranean island?

Surprise weekends away make romantic and memorable gift ideas for friends or couples.

Figleaves

Website: http://www.figleaves.com

Every woman loves to receive lovely lingerie, especially from their boyfriend or hubby. And most men love to see their partners looking gorgeous and sexy in something they have chosen themselves. Surprising then that so few men actually go out and buy underwear for their loved ones.

Years ago there was always a certain amount of embarrassment involved in buying your lady some lingerie. Nowadays, thankfully, it’s a more common occurrence, especially when there are sites like FigLeaves about. In fact it doesn’t even feel like shopping - so it’s perfect for blokes!

Serenata Flowers

Website: www.serenataflowers.com

What better way to say something than to send flowers. Flowers can speak louder than words and I don’t think there is anyone (especially women) who wouldn’t appreciate a beautiful big bunch of flowers at anytime. It’s great being able to do it all online too.

Moonpig.com

Website: www.moonpig.com

Once you’ve chosen the ideal gift for somebody, you then have to contend with choosing the perfect card for them. Well, help is at hand! I have discovered Moonpig - a great site that enables you to buy your birthday cards online, in fact not just birthday cards but cards to cater for any other occasion you can think of.

Firebox

Website: www.firebox.com
Firebox.com is one of the largest gadget websites in the UK. Read on to find out what we think of it!