Paperweight

If you’re anything like me then you don’t get card shopping. I understand the concept, don’t get me wrong. It’s nice to receive a card of thanks or celebration, but it’s a complete nightmare choosing a card (don’t let me loose on the subject on what to write in a card). The problem I mainly have is that so many cards put fatuous nonsense all over them and think it’s terribly funny.
I have a huge problem with Clinton’s cards and Card Fair, all these places because they seem to get a child of three to choose their stock and then make sure you’re nearly battered over the head with other nonsense while you’re shopping.
‘Giant Gorilla with your card?
No I’m fine, just a card.
Massive balloon with Piers Morgan’s terrible face on it?
No a card will be fine.
Okay, how about this one?
It’s fifteen foot high.‘
You see what I mean?
Anyway, all this is just a preamble to say this is why I rather like Paperweight. The staff are friendly, the cards are a mix between terrible and nice and you’re not attacked by tack every step of the way.

Paperweight is one of those shops where the staff are so lovely and so helpful that you end up buying so much more than you’d planned to.
And there is so much you’d want to buy in there, too. If you’re looking for a card that’s a little different than what you’ll find in Clinton’s, this shop has a great range of arty cards, funny cards, cute cards and for all kinds of occasions and sentiments.
There are some really unusual gifts in here, too, ranging from the simple and cheerful, to slightly more specific ideas such as china mugs with flask lids — great if you know someone who picnics a lot but hates drinking from a flask.
There is so much packed into this tiny shop that if you’re gift hunting without a specific idea in mind, you’re bound to find something. And, like Hallmark & Thorntons, you can do the whole lot in this one shop. Not to mention that this store is also full of little things to treat yourself with. I personally, am a big fan of Paperblanks notebooks of which this store has a very wide selection. I’ve never left this shop without having bought something.

Massive ranges of Cards, Gifts and Wrap, Christening Presents, Keepsake Boxes, Mementos and Love Tokens
Very well laid out and stuffed to the gills with very good quality cards from a wide variety of sources and easy to find celebration cards.
There is an item here for every occasion and it is well worth a visit.

Paperweight doesn’t strike me as a very appealing shop from the outside, with its old-​fashioned looking brown and beige signage written in a dated-​looking font.
It’s basically a card shop, but what sets it apart from the likes of Clinton Cards is the fact it sells a wide range of Welsh language greetings cards, including something for all occasions from birthdays and congratulations cards to anniversary and wedding cards, with all the scripts in Welsh.
As far as the English language cards go, the choice is fairly predictable. They also sell a few other bits and bobs in here, such as wrapping paper, gift bags, calendars, and a few mugs, ornaments and wall pictures — basically the usual type of gifts and accessories you find in this type of shop alongside their main stock of greetings cards.

Like Caban, in the Pontcanna /​Canton area, at the other side of town, Paperweight stocks a broad selection of Welsh greetings cards to compliment the ranges that are in English. And it’s not just about endearing themselves to the locals by pandering to a whim. There is a very serious demand for goods written in the Welsh language, ranging from books, magazines, cards and instruction manuals etc… The Welsh are determined to keep their language alive no matter what, and the growth rate that it’s experienced since consciously deciding to preserve it has mushroomed.
I am half Scottish, and have often heard people bemoan that Scottish culture is being diluted because the native tongue is in decline. But there’s not such a clear intention up there to preserve it. In Wales there is no doubt! Everywhere you go you see evidence of the Welsh being fiercely patriotic; every shop, every pub and public place, and of course, within people’s homes… and there’s a lot to be proud of… the Welsh do things pretty well. I have respect for this, but what really makes me love the Welsh is their warmth and sense of community. Maintaining the language, very probably, is helping to keep communities together.
Paperweight also stock wrapping paper and tags, stationary, and a small selection of funky gift ideas for the home, as well as accessories like key fobs etc…

A card store which has a nice variety of generic cards available. However they absolutely excel on their selection of Welsh language cards. The variety is without a doubt impressive, and I guarantee that any Welsh speaker (or perhaps non Welsh speaker) will be truly satisfied, especially when it comes to the age specific cards.
They also stock wrapping paper and gift bags, though not enough for my liking. I do love the small and large dishes available to purchase, which are covered in pictures of either; popcorn, marshmallows, smarties, or strawberries. These are very good value for money and I know for a fact that Urban Outfitters sells them at a far dearer price.