I came to London from the islands with a small bag. It was freezing, but the city glowed. Oxford Street buzzed with neon, Regent Street sparkled with shop displays, and Carnaby swung. That first Christmas, I learned the joy of unusual gifts. Back then, there was no digital guide to show the best gift shops in London. You had to wander, take your chances, http://communally.de/index.php?title=London_At_Christmas_Is_Like_No_Other_City._The_Streets_Sparkle_With_Lights_The_Shop_Windows_Shimmer_With_Decorations and come across quirky gifts. The independent shops were the best gift shops in London. To this day, I always remind friends the retro gifts are those quirky finds.

A neon sign for the living room will mean more than something mass-produced. Shops in Camden and Shoreditch still carry the vintage gifts that last. And if you want sparkle, high-end boutiques in London will add glamour. Every September, I feel the city get ready for Christmas. That’s when I start looking for retro gifts. Check independent gift shops London and you’ll have lots of choices. But the best treasures still live in the independent shops.

This is why, I always remind friends that unique gifts are the most powerful. They create memories, just like the glow of the neon.