Back when I landed in London from the Caribbean with a battered case. The air was sharp, but the streets lit up. Oxford Street glowed with lights, Regent Street windows looked like theatres, and Carnaby Street buzzed. That first Christmas, I learned the joy of unusual man gifts.

At that time, there was no online map to show the best gift shops near me. You had to roam, get lost, and uncover retro gifts. The independent gift shops London were the real magic.

To this day, I always remind friends the retro gifts are the vintage treasures. A neon sign for the living room will mean more than plastic tat.

Hidden independents across Hackney still keep the unique gifts that people remember. And for glamour, luxury shops in Mayfair are full of shine.

Each Q4, I feel the city start glowing. That’s when I start tracking down retro gifts. Look up best gift shops in London and you’ll have lots of choices. But the best treasures are still found in the quirky little shops.

For this reason, I always believe that vintage gifts are the greatest. They create memories, just like my first Christmas in London.