Heading to a birthday party and haven’t yet picked up a gift for that special person? Some of the most convenient stores for that birthday boy or girl are in downtown Portsmouth. We all have that moment where we wait until the last second to get someone’s gift, and hopefully this  will help you in a pinch.

Struggling to find the perfect gift for the pink and pastel lovers? Well here are the stores to end your searching! Pretty Poppy on 47 Market Street has the cutest jewelry and preppy-styled clothing and accessories. Another spot is located on 41 Pleasant Street, Serendipity, where you can find simple and minimalist jewelry and clothing. There is also a very pastel themed paper store, Gus and Ruby Letterpress on 29 Congress Street. Pretty Little Things is sort of tucked away in 21 Vaughan Mall with cute clothes for less, but really trendy. Lastly, Lady Pickwicks on 64 State Street is filled with vintage accessories and indie makeup brands like Lipstick Queen.

Have that super boho and casual friend that’s super chill and laid back? Say no more….here are the stores to buy the most “Hippie” finds. Water Monkey in 33 Vaughan Mall is the epitome of the 70’s, filled with old band Tees and Rastafarian prints and colors. Another boho store is Ganesh located on 57 Market Street. Tory Liebel, a senior at PHS, recommends Ganesh for buying gifts downtown as well as Macro Polo for the people you don’t know what to buy for. Another one of our PHS students, sophomore Tatiana Kuchtey, says she really like Ganesh and would recommend buying gifts there as well. One more great Coachella/trendy store is Summer Sessions in 15 Vaughan Mall.

In need of a cool toy or trinket for that 5 or 6 year old’s birthday? Go to Diversions on 123 Congress Street, or G. Wilikers! on 13 Market Street to find some of the newest and most interactive activities and games! Another great kid’s shop is Lively Kids. Not only do they have toys, but also kids clothing. A store like Lively Kids is Inside Out on 46 Market Street. These two are Pickwicks on 64 State Street and Macro Polo on 89 Market Street have candy and out of the ordinary objects and toys.

Looking for a Mom, Aunt, or Grandmother’s birthday? If so, Ten Thousand Villages on 87 Congress Street has everything from jewelry to pottery from all over the world. The Portsmouth Candle Company on 62 Congress Street has candles and locally made trinkets, chimes, jewelry and pottery. And finally Nahcotta on 110 Congress Street has the most simplistic and minimalist pottery, and perfect centerpieces for the table or decor for your home.

There are always the fans of food. Some places to get them a sweet treat is Stonewall Kitchen located at 10 Pleasant Street. If they love cooking, head over to Atrezzi on 78 Market Street, Le Roux Kitchen on 23 Market Street. And lastly head over to the farmers market if they have a summer, spring, or early fall birthday and get them some of the homemade and local goodies!

Need to find something for Dads, Uncles, or Grandfathers? Head over to Menemsha Blues on 1 Congress Street, SAULT on 10 Market Street, or Inside Out on 46 Market Street to find them a nice sweater, flannel or hat.

Have a new friend you don’t know much about or the people that are super hard to buy for? Go simple and walk to Inside Out on 46 Market Street, or Tugboat Alley on 47 Bow Street to find a nice shirt or cap that says Portsmouth or a nice bracelet. One more place to shop for the “hard to buy for” is once again Macro Polo. You can find things from candy to funny cards and trinkets!