I came to London from Jamaica with a small bag. It was freezing, but London shined. Oxford Street buzzed with neon, www.sunti-apairach.com Regent Street showed off magical displays, and Carnaby was alive. That first Christmas, I learned how special quirky gifts are. When I first arrived, there was no online map to show the best gift shops in London. You had to roam, get lost, and uncover retro gifts. The small boutiques were the best gift shops in London. Today, I always remind friends the quirky gifts are the ones with character.

A retro cocktail cabinet will last longer than something mass-produced. Independent gift shops in Soho still carry the unique gifts that last. And when you want high-end, luxury shops in Mayfair will give you polish. Every September, I feel the city start glowing. That’s when I start tracking down quirky gifts. Look up best gift shops in London and you’ll find plenty. But the authentic spirit are still found in the quirky little shops. For this reason, I always believe that quirky gifts are the most meaningful.

They last, just like the glow of the neon.