Clinton Cards

Clinton Cards is one of the longest running card chain stores left in the country, and is a life saver if you’re looking for a cute last minute gift or birthday card.
Selling keyrings with names on them, balloons, mugs, Me to You bears and allsorts of stock reminiscent of Hallmark, it’s the kind of card shop where there is something for everyone. The humourous cards vary from being tongue-​in-​cheek to safe jokes that would evoke a simple giggle. They sell a lot of traditional cards that would please older generations, because they are quite formal and in very good taste.
As some of the girls have said, there are many other card shops in the area hosting stock that’s a bit more unique. Although Scribbler and Paperchase are both chains, their whimsical, pretty cards seem to be better at grabbing a more contemporary audience. Their humourous ranges seem to be more in tune with younger generations, and certainly manage to keep up a bit better with the current fashions. There are also shops in Edinburgh such as the wonderful Paper Tiger and Cat’s Miaou, to name but a few places where you can pick up something a bit more unusual.
I feel like Clinton has lost its edge, and seems to be stuck in a late 90s timewarp. But since it is a Jack of all Trades type of place, you will no doubt still strike it lucky in here and be able to nab a last minute gift purchase. It’s not the most cutting edge, but it’s a reliable option when shopping for birthdays and Christmas presents.

It’s a card shop. Does exactly what it says on the tin!
Apart from cards, they sell balloons, novelty keyrings, novelty cups, toys — pretty much anything celebratory-​related, they have it (apart from Champagne… gap in the market, you’re welcome Clinton)
Although they are lovely at the time, I often feel hard done by spending £8 on a balloon that is great for the day… but gets tired and dies within the week. I think I would have been better buying a mug.
this branch is in a good location, it’s central so easy to nip in if you’re looking for something in particular. Although I agree with Stephanie T, there are nicer places right next door.

I have to be honest and say I don’t really see why you would shop in Clinton Cards when you have the options of Paperchase and Scribbler nearby Princes Street.
The cards are nothing special and in my opinion, just not worth the money. This branch is fine; big, spacious and with plenty of cards for plenty of different occasions but if I’m honest I just wouldn’t go out of my way to come in here. I suppose it depends what sort of cards you prefer but I like mine to be quite contemporary, cute, different or funny, and the funniest thing you’ll get in here is a pair of huge boobs or a man’s torso on the front of a card which just screams seaside humour.
Would do for an emergency card, but spend your money in better card shops for more unique designs.

Clinton cards is a large card chain store. I rarely do come in here, as I like browsing through the more individual and unique card shops Edinburgh has in other areas.
However, as time can be an issue Clinton Cards can be a good reference point and has an overstock of cards for every occasion. This store is quite big and has what I consider emergency gift options– key rings and mugs etc which although aren’t the most individual, can save the day in a gift-​crisis.

I guess everyone knows what to expect with Clinton Cards, they stock well… cards. All manner of cards at that for pretty much every single occasion under the sun. I came in looking for a birthday card the other day and found a super cute cards with Smarties on it for only 89p! Perfect as the friend I was buying it for is a bit of a Smartie fiend.
This is a rather large branch of Clintons and in addition to cards they also stocks small gifts too such as key rings, mugs, teddies and there’s quite a lot of Scottish themed gifts too.
At the moment they have a rather odd cuddly toy Meerkat display in the window and their little beady eyes were a wee bit unnerving as I sauntered in.