Stores, Malls or Markets in Christchurch

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You might wonder why you see inflatable Santas and snowmen greeting you in Colombo Street all year round. But it is so simple: At Christmas Jones it is Christmas the whole year.

Adjacent to the shop is a Christmas Museum with a narrated animated Christmas show which displays hundreds of moving and talking pieces.

Already a visit to the shop is a step into a magic world. The 800 members of the Christmas Club help Mike Jones to always have unique Christmas items collected from around the world.

They also offer workshops and classes where you can learn to create your own festive decoration.

The shop is open thoughout the year Mon-Sat 10am-4pm, late Friday until 7pm, Sunday by appointment only; from October to December also on Sundays 10am-4pm.

The museum and Christmas show are open daily 5pm-10pm. Entry fee NZ$ 5.

What to buy: I would go for an inflatable Santa, snowman and Christmas Tree in a huge inflatable snow-ball... But I think there are one million smaller items which are easier to transport as a souvenir... ;-)

What to pay: depends on the item

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They do sell souvenirs in The Inkwell Gift Shop in New Regent Street, the most colourful street on the tramway route, things like NZ made greenstone and sterling silver jewellery, prints, ceramics, stone and wood carvings as well as other things like photo frames, celtic jewellery, wax seals, calligraphy pens and inks. But that is not why the shop is famous, and why it will immediately attract you.

The bears are the stars. One huge one is sitting in front of the little two storey shop, at an old school desk. Others sometimes climb out through the window in the first floor, either over a ladder or on a knotted bed sheet. More of them are watching the scene through the windows, and another lot of them are posing in the window of the basement, and many, many others are sitting everywhere in the shop. You will surely not find another shop with a bigger choice of bears, and some are so wonderful that people travel to Christchurch and this shop only to purchase a bear.

The owners Roz and Phil sell bears of all price ranges, including Steiff bears from Germany and the sensational NZ handmade Robin Rive Bears which are so very different, every bear being a great personality with its special hobby. Even if you cannot afford to buy such a masterpiece-bear - have a look at them, they are too wonderful to be ignored.

What to buy: A bear, of course... But I am very playful and a bit childish... ;-) So there are a lot of other things to chose from, as already mentioned above.

What to pay: From a dollar for a postcard to 300 NZ-dollars for a Robin Rive Bear.

Head to DF Souveniers shop if you are looking for some good bargains to bring home as souveniers for your family, friends and colleagues.

There are many items for purchase and ranging from different prices which meets every budget.

Look out for their discount items.

We brought glass coaster, shotglasses, sweets, chocolate, cushion, t-shirts.

What to buy: Other items for consideration are the All Blacks T-Shirts, soft toy, caps, jackets, sweaters, mugs, sheepskin products, skin car products, honey, royal jelly, bags, jersey.