If there's one thing I adore about London is its endless treasure collection of vintage and retro treasures. London is the ideal place to find an unusual gift for birthdays, a nostalgic present for Christmas, or something more meaningful than a typical high-end set.

One of my favourite weekend activities is to wander through the city's antique market. Portobello Road always tops my list, not just because of its colourful chaos but also for the variety of items available. You can find everything, from mid-century homeware to enamel kitchen tins, as well as classic vinyl records still alive. I've lost count of the times I've taken home "just one small gift" which turned into a whole bag of treasures.

For something a little more refined, I usually head to Shoreditch and Islington. These neighbourhoods are home to boutique vintage stores that specialize in particular eras. There's there's a lighting store from the 1970s here and a shop devoted to 1940s fashion there. You can spend a whole hour talking to the owner about the history of the lamp or the leather bag.

When buying retro items I always look for authenticity. Maker's marks, original labels, and even a little wear and tear adds character. The stallholders and dealers in London are generally willing to tell the story behind the item, and that story is often incorporated into the present itself. Imagine giving an old scarf that was once transported across Europe in the 1950s or a typewriter, which wrote out love letters years ago. It can transform an item of gift into a part of history.

Of course, a large part of the fun is mixing the old with the modern. I often combine a vintage home accent with modern packaging or fresh flowers to give it a modern style. It's a great method to give something old a new look while honoring its origins.

London has a wide range of fairs that are seasonal. These are especially popular around Christmas. The Southbank Winter Market and various pop-up vintage fairs blend the joy of the season with stalls full of unique, one-of-a-kind gifts. I'm never left empty with my shopping bag, homepage and I usually leave with a gift for myself.

In a world in which so much is disposable, giving a retro or vintage gift feels thoughtful and personal. It's a homage to craftsmanship, stories to be preserved and the pleasure of finding beauty in objects that have stood the tests of time. London is the perfect backdrop for this hunt - an old city that has embraced its past and is still vibrant and alive.

So the next time you're shopping for gifts, skip the soulless high-street chains. Have a day off dress in your most comfortable shoes, and head out to hunt for treasure in London. You don't know what you'll find, but I can assure you that it'll be a memorable experience.