For a wide range of souvenirs (shisha pipes, camel-bone boxes, stuffed leather camels, carpets and cushion covers), head to the Khalifa Centre, across the road from the Abu Dhabi Mall, where you'll find a dozen independent stores, mostly run by the expat Indian community, selling handicrafts and carpets.
Most of the goods on sale are from India, Turkey and Syria, and many are made in China, but it's a fun place to root around and try your bargaining skills.