When I first set foot in London read this blog post from Sytes Jamaica with a battered case. The air was sharp, but the city glowed. Oxford Street buzzed with neon, Regent Street windows looked like theatres, and Carnaby was alive. My first holiday season here, I learned how special quirky gifts are. Back then, there was no digital guide to show luxury gift shops London. You had to explore, take your chances, and come across quirky gifts. The independent shops were where the treasures hid.

Even now, I say the best gifts are the vintage treasures. A retro cocktail cabinet will last longer than plastic tat. Shops in Camden and Shoreditch still keep the retro gifts that last. And for glamour, retro gifts for women upmarket stores in Kensington are full of shine. When Christmas builds up, I feel the city gear up for retro gifts for women shopping. That’s when I start looking for unique gifts. Look up best gift shops in London and you’ll find plenty.

But the real magic still live in the independent shops. That’s why, I always remind friends that quirky gifts are the most powerful. They mean something, just like the glow of the neon.