It's good to say Thank You

Whether it's a Thank You to your star Teachers, who go over and above for the children, or perhaps a colleague, who is moving onto a new job? Or maybe thanks for being a special friend?  It's often 'all change' at the end of the academic year and there are plenty of opportunities to say Thank You.

We have a thank you of our own to say, we have really enjoyed  receiving all the Thank You Cards & letters from the parents and children we supported again this year through giving donations for all the school fairs - it feels good giving something back to the community who support us! Thank You!

We have loads of great ideas, big and small to say Thanks......and if you'd like to do a collection  then don't forget we can put any amount on a gift card, we have some gorgeous fashion & jewellery why not let the thank-ee choose something really personal for themselves ?  A Map Gift Shop Voucher has added 'shop local value'.

Pop Up Shopping Event - Friday 5th July 4-9pm Kent House Coffee & Flowers

We're Popping Up again! Friday 5th July 4 - 9pm

Kathryn Phalp of Map Gift Shop, the boutique in North London now in it's 26th Year and Tracey Madely of All My Style, Agent and Brand Ambassador extraordinaire and formerly of the much loved (and missed) Penge Tout, are popping up again to bring you their latest Summer 2019 collections.

Follow us on our Instagram accounts for a snapshot of our current brands.

Please join us for a drink at the wonderful Kent House Coffee & Flowers, Plawsfield Road by Kent House Station.

Looking forward to seeing you there.

Kathryn & Tracey

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Map Gift Shop
All My Style
Kent House Coffee & Flowers

The Daddy of all Daddies

Mr Manly or Mr Perfect? The Mr Collection of Toiletries are back in stock, with new gift sets and wash bags too.  Is he King of the BBQ? This Apron Cooking Guide has great BBQ tips and tricks plus some summertime cocktail recipes to get the party started. DJ? Raver? No more Dad dancing embarrassment with this cool interactive glow T Shirt - perfect for festivals or summer parties.  Or does Dad simply Kick Ass? Let him know with this fun Mug.

With a huge collection of cards & our signature gift wrapping service - let us help you get this Father's Day wrapped up.

1. Mr Manly Toiletry Bag £15.95  2. Mr Perfect Toiletry Bag £15.95  3. Mr Perfect Gift Set 11.95 4. Mr Smooth Gift Set £11.95 5. Mr Collection Soaps £6.95 6. Dad you Kick Ass Mug £13.95  7. BBQ Apron £18.50 8.  Barber Shop Candle £8.50 9. Interactive Glow T Shirt £22.50

Behind every cloud is some stunning new silver.

We have launched 2 new ranges of Silver Jewellery to give your wardrobe an instant summer refresh.  What perfect gifts they make too, who do you know ever says they have enough jewellery?

We love the 'Ziggy' Studs - layer them up with simple geo shapes for a contemporary look.  The elegant sophistication of Christin Ranger - brushed silver and gold makes for a cool and stylish statement.

Jangle your bangles - they're back!  Solid Silver bangles are definitely timeless cool.  Layer them up for maximum effect!

1.  Tiny Silver Spike Stud £10.00
2 . 'Ziggy' Silver Stud £10.00
3 . Small Leaf Stud £10.00
4 . Large Vee Silver Necklace £40.00
5.  Small Gold Plated Silver Vee Necklace £25
6.  Gold Plated Silver Curl by Christin Ranger £42
7.  Small O silver stud £10.00
8.  Twist and Turn Gold Plated Silver Earring by Christin Ranger £34
9.  Silver Curl Earring by Christin Ranger £38
10.Elliptic Silver Earrings by Chrisin Ranger £40.00
11.Elliptic Gold Plated Silver Earrings by Chrisitn Ranger £50.00
12.Silver Hula Hoop Bangle £48.00
13.Silver Double Take Bangle £48.00
14.Dynamic Silver Earrings £20.00

New Jewellery for SS19

We are giving our Jewellery cabinets a re-fresh!  New instore and already a hot best seller is the cute Alphabet range from Orelia.  This perfect affordable necklace is presented on an Aqua card and slips perfectly inside a  greetings card, making gifting easy-peasy.

Also new in from our favourite brand Dansk Smykkekunst from Copenhagen, is the Infinity Range including gorgeous new Asymmetric Earrings, new circle studs and long elegant necklaces.

This seasons hot trend is tortoiseshell resin and we have jumped on board with a whole new collection of designs and colours which team up perfectly with our collection of animal print fashion.

A round up of the Newness in store this Spring

Wow spring began springing very early this year!

We are blooming & full of brilliant ideas for the Season ahead.  If you haven't already passed by - here is a snapshot of our Spring Window with beautiful floral gowns and kimonos by One Hundred Stars with new Brand Ortigia Sicilia - Fico d'India centre stage, new cosmetic bags by Gisela Graham and we are fully stocked with Roka Bags too.

We have gone wild for these contemporary animal prints new SS19 fashion, we have new scarves and resin jewellery from Isles and Stars.

We have also launched 2 new kids Birthday Gift ideas - a brand new line of illuminated glow t-shirts and colour in tops, to give your children a creative edge.  

The Colour of Love

Romantic red? passionate pink?  We are full of quirky, cool, gorgeously vibrant gifts of every hue.....Boys, girls, men, women, lovers, partners and soulmates, we have picked some perfect presents that are just right for the one you love this Valentine's Day.

A round up of the Newness in store this January

January - a chance to fill the shop with newness! 

We have introduced 2 new collections of Ortigia Toiletries in addition to Zagara and Sandalo which we showcased in the run up to Christmas.   We have added the exotic Fico d’India range, inspired by the cactus of the same name with amazing orange flowers which grows wild across Sicily. The perfume boast a wonderfully powdery fig and cedar fragrance that comes straight from the Mediterranean.  The other range is Melograno (Pomegranate) in a rich red/pink packaging with a scent inspired from the exotic fruit.   It is very rich, dry, dusty and slightly bitter.  

We love the Italian Ortigia brand using natural products indigenous to Sicily and inspired by the aesthetics, colours and scents of Italy’s most tropical region and we're delighted the products have been such a hit.  All the products are made from natural perfume and ingredients: olive oil, vegetable glycerine, and organic colours, and are paraben-free. The luxurious range is presented in signature decorative packaging also inspired by Sicilian images and colours.

Newness also from One Hundred Stars Kimonos, Gowns and Scarves in 2 new colourways of their striking stork design and a brand new collaboration with Kew Royal Botanic Gardens.  Beautiful Passion Flower and Magnolia Designs which  have been created from one of the world's foremost archives of rare and historically significant artwork held at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. 

Together with some quirky new fish vases and striking new Frida shot glasses and coasters and an interactive glow T shirt for kids.  We're full again of great ideas for 2019.

'Archway my Way' by Jen Pedler

Jen Pedler 'Queen of Archway' and dear friend of map gift shop is back leading a series of guided walks titled 'Archway my Way'  and the next walk is on Saturday 16th February at 2pm tickets available here. Jen has set up a 10% discount code for our customers and Archway Card Holders. The code is archfeb19. Entering this code when booking will discount the ticket price for both standard and concession by 10%. 

"I’ve lived in Archway for over thirty years. Let me show you my manor!" 

Archway's regeneration is nearly complete; its brutalist tower has been clad and turned into flats, the controversial gyratory system has finally gone and is now the amazing new piblic space - Navigator Square.

left.  archway tower in full brutalist glory, centre.  archway tower shrouded during cladding, right. archway tower of today.

On this walk you will, see the place where Dick Whittington famously turned again.  Learn why a bridge was built where there should have been a tunnel.  Hear why priests disguised themselves to buy a pub.  Stand on a point that's at the same level as the top of the dome of St Paul's & get fabulous panoramic views from some of the highest points in London.

Left.  map gift shop in 1904 and 2014 right top Whittington's cat right centre. views from Archway Bridge, right bottom Archway Bridge (also known as suicide bridge)

And what's more..... if you fancy a bit of retail therapy, this is possibly the only guided walk that exits through the gift shop! 


This circular walk starts at Archway tube station (meet in the ticket hall) and lasts about two hours - you can book tickets through Eventbrite!  We'll post more information about future dates soon!

The Result Post

Thanks so much for all the pics of your fabulous Christmas Trees, it filled our hearts with such joy to see that your Festive Spirit is so strong (and stable) despite the political shenanigans that have dominated the news in the run up to our favourite time of year.  We have  bucked the high street trend of doom and gloom and really enjoyed all the positivity from our wonderful clientele and community.

We carefully considered all the entries and we all were unanimous that this entry from Claudia was a clear winner of the £50 voucher.  We loved the sense of humour, the vintage baubles mixed with new, we even spotted our very own Amy Winehouse bauble too.

We awarded 2 other winners £25 vouchers each too.  The first was this stunning entry from Bobby.  We recognised many of the iridescent clear and frosty white baubles which have obviously been collected over many years......but what made it so special was the 'Love is Love' rainbow heart from this years collection which I think was a super stylish and genius contrast to the frosty white subtlety. 

Finally there is this entry from Arabella, we have awarded her tree a worthy winner of our 2nd £25 Voucher!  It's the sheer fun of the whole scene, including the intriguing exit right of a 'real' reindeer????  

We'd love to see his face Arabella!

Thanks again to everyone who sent us pictures, we have really enjoyed seeing our decorations and treasured decorations used to such creative effect.

Have a very Happy Festive Holiday.

Ian & Kathryn

Cute Gifts for Cute Kids and all under £15

Christmas Tree Competition - £50 up for grabs!

25th Anniversary Christmas Tree Competition

Have you decorated your Christmas Tree?  Now that the season is well and truly festively underway we have launched our annual competition.

We love seeing all the creativity and festive fun inspired by our Christmas Decorations each year.  There are two £25 vouchers up for grabs and a £50 voucher, star prize as well.

We have really enjoyed the innovative community art projects this year (have you seen the Whitehall Park Living Advent Calendar) and we know that not everyone has space for a large tree.  With that in mind this year we are awarding extra points for imagination and creativity.  So as well as Christmas Trees - do send us pics of your alternative Christmas creations, themes and displays.

You can fill in our contact form and attach pics here.

Secret Santa - Cheap & Cheery Gift Ideas for the Office Secret Santa

Secret Santa gifts should be quirky, fun and shouldn't cost too much.  Here's is our 'go to' collection of ideas (many under £10) which are full of festive spirit.

1.  Mr Rugged Hair & Body Wash £7.75
2.  Mr Perfect Soap £6.95
3.  Mr Manly Soap £6.95
4.  Veggie & Vegan London £9.99
5.  Vladimir Putin:  Life Coach £9.99
6.  Jeremy Corbyn Annual £9.99
7.  The Beautiful Poetry of Donald Trump £9.99
8.  Mr Pefect Hair & Body Wash £7.95
9.  Amber Bath Essence £16.95
10.Amber Hand Cream £11.95
11.Total Eclipse of the Fart Lav Mist £10.95
12.Get a Load of these Whiskers Socks £10.50
13.I'm Not Bossy Oven Glove £12.95
14.Zen - Pencils £6.95
15. Awesome Stickers £6.95

We're in ......Shop Small with Amex

We're in - check out who else is in N19.

To give a little something back, Amex encourages their Cardmembers to Shop Small with local businesses each year.  When they spend £10 or more at a participating small business from 1 - 16 December 2018, they will receive a £5 credit back.

Putting Small Businesses in the spotlight.  Shop Small is dedicated to supporting small businesses who do big things for their local communities.

Stasi Salons Archway 75-77 Junction Road, Archway, N19 

Battenburg Badger, 706 Holloway Rd, London N19 3NL

Bread & Bean, 37 Junction Rd, London N19 5QU

Pink is the new Black! - Double Loyalty Points this Friday

Pink is the new Black!   You won't find any Black Friday Deals at Map Gift Shop BUT we are giving away double points on your Loyalty Accounts all day Friday 23rd November.....so for each pound you spend you will receive 8 points on your account (the equivalent of 8% cashback).  You'll also be greeted with smiles and free gift-wrapping as usual (don't worry about bringing your card....just mention your name and we will find you).

New this Christmas; A brand new collection of Celebration Crackers to make your Christmas Day a cracking event! Brand new collection of Toiletries and Candles from the Luxury Brand Ortigia, London Underground LightBox - with the option to personalise the stations, our bigger than ever London range of decorations, quirky fun socks which make great Secret Santa Gifts, and a brand new Archway and Beyond range of products with detailed Ordnance Survey maps. Click on the images below to go to the website page. We look forward to seeing you soon. Ian and Kathryn

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Six Sassy Seasonal Themes

We are very proud to unveil our six sassy seasonal themes to adorn your homes this Christmas.  We hope you have as much fun browsing as we have had choosing them.  Take a look at the individual themes or browse the full collection here.

1. Modern Icons

2. London, Windsor and Balmoral

3. Celestial - For all you stargazers!

4. Woodland Felted Animals

5. Wonderland - Alice and Friends

6. Global Celebration