I came to London from the islands with just a suitcase. The air was sh…

I arrived in London from the Caribbean with nothing much. The air was sharp, but the streets lit up. Oxford Street buzzed with neon, Regent Street shone bright, and Carnaby Street buzzed. My first festive season in London, I learned the beauty of retro gifts.

In those days, there was no online map to show the best gift shops in London. You had to walk, take your chances, and retro gift store come across quirky gifts. The quirky little stores were the real magic.

Still, I always remind friends the unique gifts are the ones with character. A retro cocktail cabinet will mean more than cheap throwaways.

Independent gift shops in Soho still keep the quirky gifts that people remember. And if luxury is your thing, luxury shops in Mayfair are full of shine.

Every autumn, https://telegra.ph/ I feel the city get ready for Christmas. That’s when I start searching for unique gifts. Look up best gift shops in London and you’ll find plenty. But the true charm always exist in the independent shops.

This is why, I always say that quirky gifts are the most meaningful. They carry stories, just like the glow of the neon.