Gifts
Reviews and ratings of quality, hand-picked, UK websites
Need a gift and not sure what to buy?
The websites below together offer a large range of unusual gift ideas. If you have more idea of what you want, check out other sites shown by category on the left hand panel.
I Want One of Those
•
www.iwantoneofthose.com
Headers: Gadgets & Gizmos, Toys & Games, Lifesyle & Home, Kitsch & Daft, Outdoor & Travel, Office Toys, Gorgeous Gifts, Adventures
In their words "stuff you don't need... but you really, really want"! Excellent range of gizmos and high tech stuff as well as lots of products for the home and garden. Trading online since 2000, I want One of Those is based in London.
• Special Features: Gift finder wizard. Free birthday reminder service. Live help.
• International Deliveries Available
Kiarie
• www.kiarie.co.uk
Headers: Candles, Candle Gifts, Home Fragrances, Cushions
Kiarie is a design company based in Wick and has been operating since 1904. Browse their online collection of tasteful home decoration products, many of which are good gift ideas. Large range of cushions, candles and fragrances.
• Gift Wrapping: Choice of gift wrap, either £3.95 or £4.95
Letsgoretro.com
• www.letsgoretro.com
Headers: The Classics, The Home, The Movies, The Arcade, The Fashion Victim, The Exec Suite
Lets Go Retro have an unusual (and intriguing!) range of products on this very slick website. From giant games to film memorabilia, from space hoppers to your very own unique song on CD (See The Home - personalised discs). If you are looking for unusual, you will find it here.
• Free Delivery (Free to mainland UK)
MagicTricks.co.uk
• www.MagicTricks.co.uk
Headers: Downloads, Exclusive Items, Own Brand, Gift Ideas, Beginners, Pick A Trick, Mentalism, Street Magic, Pub Tricks, Magic on TV, Cards, Money, Ring & Key, Sponge Magic, Rope/Silk Magic, General Magic, Accessories, DVDs, Videos, Books
MagicTricks offers a wide range of tricks for beginners and experienced achildren and adults alike. A leading UK online magic tricks store offering a vast range of magic tricks for all ages and abilities. If you really want to impress your mates, you can practise your techniques with the DVD "Pub Tricks & Bar Bets" which is exclusive to Magictricks.co.uk. If you want to join in on online discussions groups, you can use their bulletin board. You can also contact them for free advice if you are thinking of booking a magician but are not quite sure what you need.
• Special Features: Join the Mailing List and get a FREE magic trick plus news of special offers.
• Free Delivery on orders >£20
Ministry of Gadgets
• www.ministryofgadgets.co.uk
Headers: Boys Toys, Drinking, Gadgets & Gizmos, Games & Puzzles, Gifts, Radio Controlled, Risque, Sports & Leisure
Wide range of gadgets and big boys toys here plus an impressive number of pool tables and football tables. They even have a bouncy castle! There is usually a competition to enter and you can sign up to their newsletter to receive news of new products and special offers. Ministry of Gadgets is based in Harpenden, Herts.
• Gift Service: The gift wrapping service also includes a handwritten gift tag
• Free Delivery on orders >£15
Misi
• www.misi.co.uk
Headers: Handmade Products
Far too many categories to list here - from clothing to furniture, and from dog coats to house signs. Great for browsing if you like stuff that is just that bit more original and (sometimes) quirky than you would normally see on the high street. This website is a centre for sellers of handmade goods to sell their products so goods are shipped from different parts of the country. Delivery costs are displayed next to all items.
Museum Selection
• www.museumselection.com
Headers: Books, Clothes & Accessories, Entertainment, Food, 
Garden, Home, Greetings Cards, Jewellery, Stationery
Museum Selection began life as a mail order historical gift retailer, and now you can also purchase their products online. Museum Selection works with some of the leading museums & galleries in the UK and worldwide (inlcuding The British Library, the V&A, The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, and the National Portrait Gallery) to source and create their products. In fact, you can search either by product or by museum. Museum Selection is based in Cleator Moor, Cumbria.
• Gift Service: Will send your order to an address other than your own, with a personal message.
• International Delivery Available
Name a star
• www.starnames.com
Headers: Name a Star
Name a star offer various "name a star" packs from £39.00, which includes a star certificate plus other goodies which depend on the package you choose. See also our article naming stars.
Newspapers Remembered
• www.newspapersremembered.co.uk
Headers: Gift box, Portfolio folder, Presentation folder, Picture frame, This is your life.
Supply genuine original archive Newspapers (not copies) from the date of your choice, from archives that go back over a hundred years. These original Newspapers make the perfect gift to commemorate someone's Birthday, Wedding Anniversary, Christening, Retirement or other special occasion. All Newspapers come in presentation Gift packaging and with a personalised Certificate of Authenticity.
• Special Features: Because Sunday papers are rare. If your date is a Sunday you have option when you order, to replace with a Monday Broadsheet, or pay a £20 surcharge. How do you know if the date is a Sunday? Use their 'Match The Day' feature! You will find it half way down the homepage.
Peony Direct
• www.peonydirect.com
Headers: Roses, Orchids, Lilies, Peonies, At Home, Mixed Arrangements, Spring Flowers, Other Varieties, David Austin
These are silk flower arrangements - and very beautiful ones at that, from posies to sumptuous displays. Each one is handmade and many are also scented. There are also some flower related items, including lamps and candle holders. Prices range from £5 - £225. Peony Direct is based in Heathfield, Newton Abbot.
• Gift Service: Peony Direct can send your order to an address other than your own with a message of up to 40 characters.
Pia
• www.piajewellery.com
Headers: Earrings, Necklaces, Pendants, Wristwer, R
ings, Brooches, Accessories
Gorgeous website. The Pia collection has both classic and contemporary pieces with many available as matching sets. The collection is mostly silver and gemstone based, but they also use other materials ranging from gold and pearls to coral and wood! There is also a range of accessories including cashmere clothing and handbags. Pia is based at 6 Leconfield Estate, Cleator Moor, Cumbria CA25 5QB. Buy online or request a catalogue.
• Gift Wrapping: Jewellery is delivered in presentation gift boxes
• Gift Service:They will send your order to an address other than your own with a message of up to 40 characters including your name, and with no prices on the delivery note.
• International Delivery Available
RSPB
• www.rspb.org.uk
Headers: Advice, Birds & Wildlife, Reserves, Shop
The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds is a wildlife conservation charity founded in 1889. Part of its aim is to protect and restore important wildlife areas across the UK. At present there are over 150 RSPB reserves in the UK covering more than 240,000 acres. Each reserve is described with details of opening times and charges. The site contains an A-Z of UK birds with images, descriptions and habits. If you are new to birdwatching, there is also a section on watching birds, which contains useful tips and advice.
Membership of the society is £34 per year for one adult or £44 per year for 2 adults. Family membership is £50.
Youngsters under 16 might also be interested in the RSPB's free Wildlife Fun Book - plus there are lots of other, free, online, activities such as games, competitions and educational articles.
You can have a gift membership sent direct to the recipient.
Science Museum Store
• www.sciencemuseumstore.com
Headers: Handy Gadgets, For the Home, Discovery, Fun & Games, Engineer, Take Off
Who doesn't love the Science Museum? (Especially now that its free to get in!) For those of us who don't live in London, we can use the website to browse all the latest gadgets and toys in the Science Museum store or order a catalogue. Better still, join the mailing list and get the latest special offers and bargains. You can also buy prints from the collections of the Science Museum, The National Railway Museum and the National Museum of Photography, Film and Television.
Sunshine Bits
• www.sunshinebits.com
Headers: Basketball Equipment, Fitness Equipment, Garden & Outdoors, 
Hammocks, Home & Living, Indoor Games, Outdoor Games, Picnic Sets, Playcentres, Sports Equipment, Table Sports, Trampolines
Very good range of both indoor and outdoor leisure products from basketballs to giant chess sets, and hammocks to bar stools. And not just for the home - Sunshine bits stocks products suitable for clubs, schools and corporate events. There is also a very good selection of indoor games including chess,, home casino and party games as well as more traditional games like cribbage, bagatelle, mah jong and penny arcades plus lots more - great for gifts for all ages. The website is fast and very easy to navigate. Sunshine Bits is a trading name of JDL Enterprises (UK) Ltd and is baed in Cambridge.
• Special Features: 14 day returns policy
The Haunted Fishtank
• www.hauntedfishtank.com
Headers: Toys & Models, DVD & Video, Video Games, Photos & Cards, Books & Comics, Gadgets
This very attractive and easy to navigate website offers a selection of collectables and memorabilia such as popular action figures, life size standees, stickers and gadgets. Video games are available for PS2 plus there are small collections of DVDs and videos. You will need to set up an account before you can add items to your order so that delivery charges can be shown. Established in 2002, The Haunted Fishtank Ltd is based in Maidstone, Kent.
Virginia Hayward
• www.virginiahayward.com
Headers: Traditional Hampers, Chocolates, Gifts, Pamper Gifts, Champagne, Wines & Spirits, Congratulations Gifts, Games,
Fine quality gifts with a food and drink flavour - even the games have names like "French Wine Game" or Whisky and Whisky Game"! Established in 1984, Virginia Hayward is one of the leading suppliers of gift and hamper packs to both business and individuals, and is based in Shaftsbury, Dorset.
Victoria & Albert Museum Shop
• www.vandashop.com
Headers: Books & Media, Clothing & Accessories, Games & Hobbies, Homeware, Jewellery, Stationery & Desktop
If you have ever visited the V&A you will know what to expect here. For everyone else, expect to find an eclectic range of books, toys, clothing and homewares. If you are looking for a gift, there are many unusual ideas here.
The Alternative Gift Company
• www.alt-gifts.com
Headers: Shop for men, Shop for women, Shop for kids, Shop by price, Shop by occasion.
Alternative Gift Company has been making a success of online gift retailing since 1999, They have a wide range of interesting gifts, a lot of which you won't find on other gadget and gift sites. Shop by easy to use categories including price and occasion and the homepage is always worth a look for catching up on the latest gadgets and gizmos. The gift finder is just a single keyword lookup form but actually is quite useful anyway. Alternative Gifts is based in Banbury, Oxon.
Boutique To You
• www.boutiquetoyou.co.uk
Headers: For Her, For Him, For Babies 0-2 Yrs, For Kids, For Teenagers, Yummy Mummies To Be, For New Parents, For A Loved One, For A Wedding, For Special Days/Events, For The Home & Garden, For Foodies, Accessory Boutique, Candle Boutique, Cosmetics Boutique, Fashion Boutique, Handbag Boutique, Jewellery Boutique
Wide range of fun and unusual fashion and home gifts for all ages, including gifts for babies, teenagers, mums to be, new parents and wedding gifts. Boutique To You is operated by A&S Innovations Ltd of Middlesborough.
• Free Delivery on orders >£100
• International Deliveries Available
The Original Gift Company
• www.theoriginalgift.co.uk
Headers: Gifts, Personalised Gifts
Very nice range of gifts for all ages and tastes. You can browse by person, lifestyle, occasion or type of gift - or just use the search box. Personalised gifts available including map jigsaws, calendars, children's story books, towels, gardeners aprons and carafe and glass set. Buy online or request a catalogue. Orders can be sent direct to recipient. The Original Gift Company is based in Wiltshire, and is owned by the Scotts of Stow Group which, in addition to its highly successful nationwide catalogue business, has several retail outlets in Gloucestershire.
• Delivery: Mainland UK only.
Famous Retail
• www.famousretail.com
Headers: Sporting and Celebrity Memorabilia
Famous Retail Limited is Europe’s largest retailer of vintage and contemporary sporting and celebrity memorabilia, with 1000's of autographs from the worlds of Sport, TV/Film, Music, Space, Royalty and Politics, Authors and Artists, Historical and more. Signed memorabilia is guaranteed authentic. Famous Retail currently has 8 stores throughout England.
Harrods
• www.harrods.co.uk
Headers: Hampers, Beauty, Womens, Mens, Children, Toys, Sports, Home, Food & Wine, Gifts
The famous Knightsbridge Department store hits the web. And if you are after luxury items from Bears to Hampers from Bedroom to Kitchen, then this is the shop for you! And not everthing is that expensive really. You can get a Rio Jazz Cafe Mug for under a fiver. Only problem is that the postage cost doubles that cost! Buy online or request a catalogue.
• Special Features: 14 day returns policy.
• International Delivery Available
Letsgoretro.com
• www.letsgoretro.com
Headers: The Classics, The Home, The Movies, The Arcade, The Fashion Victim, The Exec Suite
Lets Go Retro have an unusual (and intriguing!) range of products on this very slick website. From giant games to film memorabilia, from space hoppers to your very own unique song on CD (See The Home - personalised discs). If you are looking for unusual, you will find it here.
• Free Delivery (Free to mainland UK)
The Haunted Fishtank
• www.hauntedfishtank.com
Headers: Toys & Models, DVD & Video, Video Games, Photos & Cards, Books & Comics, Gadgets
This very attractive and easy to navigate website offers a selection of collectables and memorabilia such as popular action figures, life size standees, stickers and gadgets. Video games are available for PS2 plus there are small collections of DVDs and videos. You will need to set up an account before you can add items to your order so that delivery charges can be shown. Established in 2002, The Haunted Fishtank Ltd is based in Maidstone, Kent.
Wild and Funk
• www.therenovationstore.co.uk
Headers: Beauty, Home Fragrance, Bed & Bath, Stationery, Kids, Messages, Kitchen Essentials, Hardware, Home Accents, Entertaining, Home Office, Garden, Out & About
A taste of elegant living. Very nice range of well chosen home accessories - including kitchen accessories, art, dining accessories and bathroom accessories - plus a small selection of nursery items. The Renovation Store is based in Durham.
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