Purple-Heart.com

I’m not quite sure if the owners of this shop are aware that they share their name with the U.S. military decoration for soldiers who have been wounded or killed; it would seem rather inappropriate given that this shop stocks stuff for little kids parties — not the sort of situation where the spectre of military death is particularly welcome. According to their website, they are name purple heart after the owner’s most popular ceramic design. Leaving aside the odd name, this place is an absolute treasure trove for kiddies’ stuff. I wouldn’t recommend bringing your kids in here because they would probably have a meltdown looking at all the fun bits and pieces. This sort of shop makes me want to have some kids, just so I can dose them up with bubbles and bouncy balls and see their happy little faces. As well as toys for party bags, they stock some excellent party supplies, such as meltable chocolate so you can make sweeties in whatever shape you like, and other things for cakes like coloured icing and so on. They also sell some toddler and baby clothes. Purple Heart is an absolute godsend for anyone who needs to provide entertainment and goodies for young children.

Purple Heart is easily the best gift shop in Brighton, which is saying something, as the city seems to have the most gift shops per square metre of any city in the UK! Unlike most similar establishments they don’t just sell gifts for one type of person (like ridiculously girly girl gift shops that the North Laines are full of). They have an array of stuff to suit all tastes, from Russian dolls to plastic hear pant dryers to personalised crockery and baby shoes. The products are also often kitch bitsys you haven’t seen before and they have something for any occasion.

When I was in here, I found myself saying, «Hey, this is cute,» more times than I care to think about. I was just in the mood to spend some cash the day I decided to walk through the North Laines, and I pretty much went into every single store. The Purple Heart was one store I entered, and thank goodness I did, because if I ever need to find cute gifts to give to babies, then I now know where to go.
This is a place to buy gifts for toddlers and young children, and they even have a great selection of party supplies. There are loads of toys, clothing, accessories and small trinkets so if you ever in a rush to buy a Children’s gift, Purple Heart should be at the top of your list.

It might sound like a goth shop that specialises in Cure and Smashing Pumpkins tee-​shirts. In reality however, Purple Heart is a kitsch gift and homeware boutique that’s stocked with cute baby wear, kids clothing, shoes, books, soft toys, mobiles, quirky decorations and party bags.
Catering mainly to 5 – 15 year olds, they also have a few treats for adults in the form of novelty items like fairy lights, soaps, candles, silk purses, birthday cards, wrapping paper and pamper kits. In spring and summer, there’s often a few crates outside too selling pots of fresh and strong scented herbs, bulbs and flowers.

Advertising themselves as the most delightful independent gift shop chain in Brighton, Purple Heart have recently opened their second shop in the coveted main thoroughfare of North Street.
Both shops are certainly unique little places, with stock that’s a fantastic higgledy-​piggledy mix of scented candles, party bag fillers, fancy dress accessories, crockery, baby clothes, quirky little knick-​knacks and humorous gifts kind of like a giant pick-​n-​mix stand.
The stores look so homely and welcoming, like children’s playrooms (or at least, how I would have wanted my room to look as a little girl) and I can’t help but dive in whenever I walk past.
Cute, quirky and dominated by pink and purple, if I had to sum up Purple Heart in a metaphor it would be a giant cupcake covered in pink icing, multicoloured hundreds and thousands and glitter. Deliciously delightful and most definitely one of my favourite guilty pleasures.

Wahhoo purple heart! Okay there’s not much in here that aims itself at the over 5s, but it’s great when you’re stuck for a cute last minute gift idea. Find kitsch and cutesy toys, from traditional toys like cuddly toys or a skipping rope to fairy lights and glow in the dark ducks. The best part is the pick n mix section where you can find inexpensive gifts, or party bag fillers, all between 25p and £3 I think — like magnetic ladybirds, stickers, yo yos, fortune teller fish, water pistols, jumping beans, bubbles, boucing balls… I once bought a handful of toys for emergency xmas presents last year, and they came in handy when my dad’s girlfriend’s *very* recently divorced sister’s two sad young kids showed up on christmas day — well recommended!

I’ve walked by this shop several times without being able to decipher exactly what it was. Even once inside, I took a few moments to pin down the theme. I would describe it as a gift and party supply store, with selection ranging from baby clothes and toys to books and costumes.
The gag-​gift section was interesting, including the classic whoopee cushion as well as some fake snow and magic playing cards. Less gag-​worthy gifts were the collections of Russian dolls, mini ducks and a cupcake making kit.
I’ll admit, I was excited to see some children’s books from the popular «Little Miss» and «Little Mr» collections, and was tempted to buy Little Miss Christmas for myself. I did manage to refrain.
The most popular section, at least this afternoon, was the gift bag section: tiny toys and trinkets ready to be chosen and popped into gift bags for childrens’ parties. It looked very organised and quite inexpensive.
I can’t see myself needing to return to Purple Heart in the near future, but it does serve its purpose very well. I would recommend it for parents planning parties, or people who enjoy mini ducks.

The Purple Heart is a great little gifty nicknack’s store, very girlie. It has cute, purses, kitch house stuff etc as well as cards and wrapping paper. They always have seasonal stock so I usually venture in for Halloween costumes and Christmas accessories. Although I think its a chain and Brighton has hoards of girlie gift shops, I think the products in Purple Heart are awesome.
Its great for stocking fillers and little bitsys, I recently purchased a heart shaped sock dryer for my housemate and a purse made out of a baby’s sock for my sister?!

This place is great if you are an Elvis fan. Its also a fun place for everyone into novelties. There are mirrors, pic discs and lighters. The owner just loves to chat about anything. He must be the most welcoming retailer in the land.