I arrived in London from Kingston with just a suitcase. The cold cut deep, but the lights dazzled. Oxford Street was alive, Regent Street showed off magical displays, and Carnaby was alive. My first holiday season here, I learned the value of vintage gifts.

When I first arrived, there was no digital guide to show the best gift shops near me. You had to wander, stumble around, and find gems. The independent gift shops London were where the treasures hid.

To this day, I always remind friends the retro unusual gifts for 40th birthday man who has everything} are the ones with character. A retro cocktail cabinet will outshine plastic tat.

Shops in Camden and Shoreditch still keep the retro gifts that last. And for glamour, luxury shops in Mayfair are full of shine.

Every September, I feel the city gear up for shopping. That’s when I start hunting for vintage gifts. Check independent gift shops London and you’ll find plenty. But the real magic always exist in the independents.

So, I always say that quirky gifts are the greatest. They last, just like the magic of the season.