Illuminati

I love cards just as much as the next card lover but really begrudge paying £9 274 827 487 for one, especially seeing as it will probably reside in a drawer for years until it’s eventually thrown out. I think cards are very personal and most of the time make my own cards for friends which I can cater to their taste and put more thought into it rather than just going out and grabbing the first pretty card I see.
They have an abundance of cards here and they are all very pretty and they a few funnies too but they are very expensive. I do really like the wrapping paper in here and will usually by some tissue paper to put at the top of a gift bag, I found really pretty tissue paper here a while ago that has glittery star designs on it.
They have tons of quirky accessories in Illuminati and I bought my mum some stunning Christmas baubles for the tree last year which she loved. I also recently treated myself a terramundi money pot as I am useless at saving money so I figured the best option was to buy one of these bad boys which has no lid, only a slot to put money in so once the moneys in you can’t get it out until you break the pot. However, I’ve managed to foil that plan as I managed to fish out the only £10 note I had inside with a pair of tweezers. At least the thought is there.
Overall a quirky gift shop where you will find some really unusual gift items which are a tad over priced.

If you’re a fan of Papyrus, then you’ll LOVE Illuminati. It sells the same kind of range of goods, but without the hoards of people that have already discovered the Papyrus west end and city centre stores.
They stock individual jewellery, cards, gift wrap and a whole host of design-​led gifts. A particular favourite find in here was a pair of suede and sheepskin baby ugg boots. The eschewing conversation went a little bit like this;
Me: Ohmygod we have to buy these!
Boyfriend: But we don’t have a baby.
Me: We should have one so that we can buy these!
Boyfriend: Erm, no.
As well as such gifts as these, they also have some crockery and a good sprinkling of «named» products. (You know, mugs with your name on, keyrings with your name on… need I continue?)
Definitely worth a look if you’re present buying — or even if you just want a bit of a browse (or an excuse to buy yourself something…)

As a testosterone-​fuelled alpha male, I’m unlikely to get too excited about the fashionable girly ornaments in here, it does work excellently as a sort of one stop gift shop if you’re looking to buy a gift for a female recipient with a minimuim of fuss /​imagination.
It’s all quite quirky and stylish, and they do loads cards (including obscurities such as «happy rainy day») and wrapping paper as well. They’ll even do the wrapping for you. Can’t grumble with that.

Found in Princes Square is another of these trendy little gift shops in the same vein as Papyrus and now newly-​opened Scribbler although perhaps aimed at a slightly older market as well as the young glam one.
Full of fairly unusual and sweet presents for most occasions — such as special birthdays, weddings and new babies — it can be great to pick up that special gift although occassionally the stock disappoints me. What I love the most is the card selection — perfect when searching for a slightly more unusual card.
Also be prepared to pay for its location — as you’d imagine in Princes Square it can be pretty expensive.

This little gift shop is fantastic if your looking for a weird (or cute) gift for someone that seems impossible to buy for. They have some fantastic stocking fillers.
Just watch out if you have big clunky bags you don’t knock anything over as there isn’t much floor space when they are pretty well packed.

I like this wee shop, and have visited it a number of times. It is of course very central, and has been there a long number of years. I don’t know what makes me give it only a 3 as it often has things I like in it. One reason might be the prices, as even for such shops and its location it somehow seems just a bit pricey. I also think that the selection of stock can be a bit hit and miss. Sometimes it is full of things to like and want, sometimes it seems a bit drab. I think it is a bit confused about who its customer is, as some things seem more for younger girls and some more old-​ladyish.

I love coming in here, its one of those unusual little gift shops with quirky cards and gifts. They have something for every occasion like birthdays, weddings and new babies. I especially love their card selection and their gift wrap can be quite unusual as well.
They have quite nice jewellery and pretty handbags and other unusual little bits and bobs.
The only downside is the prices, its quite expensive but it IS in Princes Square, which is quite an expensive shopping centre anyway!