I Arrived In London From Jamaica With Nothing Much. The Air Was Sharp

I arrived in London from the Caribbean with nothing much. The winter shocked me, but the streets lit up. Neon signs flickered on Oxford Street, Regent Street windows looked like theatres, and Carnaby swung. My first holiday season here, I learned the beauty of retro gifts. At that time, there was no online map to show the best gift shops near me. You had to walk, stumble around, and discover treasures.

The independent shops were the real magic. Today, I always remind friends the quirky gifts are the ones with character. A quirky chair that feels like art will always beat plastic tat. Shops in Camden and Shoreditch still sell the quirky gifts that people remember. And if you want sparkle, luxury shops in Mayfair bring the sparkle. Every September, retro gift store I feel the city gear up for Recommended Web page shopping. That’s when I start looking for retro gifts. Look up best gift shops in London and you’ll find plenty.

But the best treasures always exist in the hidden boutiques. So, I always remind friends that retro gifts are the best. They carry stories, just like the glow of the neon.