—PJ Gach, Gift Guide editor
Xtine Baczewska: XB; PJ Gach: PJG; Jim Knipfel: JK; Jennifer Merin: JM; Hector Meza: HM; Sarah Shears: SS
New York City brothers David and Michael Casarella’s line of tees, Barking Irons, takes its inspiration from New York City circa 1900. Tees have names of “old-timey” gangs or city attractions printed on them, like “WHYO,” or “Automatic Vaudeville,” ($59 each tee). The tees are incredibly comfortable; the brothers call their fit “The Lower East Side Fit.” All designs come in tees and tanks. If you’re interested, celeb fans of the shirts include Adrian Grenier, The Kaiser Chiefs and Vince Vaughn. —PJG
www.barkingirons.com..
Gigantic Brand in Tribeca is a shop that will knock off at least a dozen people from your list. No, it’s not a euphemism for hit men—Gigantic Brand has an incredible and eclectic group of merchandise; emerging designers like Stephan Schneider, Zakee Shariff, Robert Normand cheeck-and-jowl with CDs from The Cloud Room, Human Televison, documentaries, sculpture, jewelry and more stuff than you can shake a stick at. Mention that read about them in New York Press and you’ll get 60% off your purchases. —PJG
Gigantic Brand, 59 Franklin Street, (212) 966-2361
giganticbrand.com
For shelter against rain, sleet, snow or volcanic ash, the dinosaur umbrella is a best bet gift. Okay, it’s just a compact black folding umbrella, but it features a lovely red line drawing of T-Rex, along with a written reference to New York. Hm. Whatever T-Rex and the slogan are meant to symbolize (if anything), dinosaurs are always popular with kids of all ages. Priced at $17.95, this umbrella couldn’t withstand a meteor shower. But, if it came to that, would it really matter?
Museum of Natural History Gift Shop
Central Park at West 79 Street
212-769-5100
Stale smoky, stinky pets or just plain funky air is something you’re stuck with in the winter, because if you fling open a window, you’ll freeze your butt off. This is why we’re digging La-Tee-Da! Effusion Lamps. These little babies have a catalytic burner that releases negative ions that neutralize smoke, allergens, dust and any disgusting odor that’s wafting in your room while diffusing a subtle fragrance of your choice into the air. This was road tested during a raucous, smoky, drink infested Halloween party, and it worked. The next day, there were absolutely no gross odors, thank god. La-Tee-DA! Effusion Lamps come in a variety of styles ($35 - $100). Each lamp comes with two fragrances (Stay Awhile, Sheer Paradise) or you can buy a large bottle (16 oz, $16) of a fragrance of your choice. There are 27 fragrances to choose from.—JM
Museum of Natural History Gift Shop
Central Park at West 79 Street
212-769-5100
It’s living art, of sorts. Great for kids of all ages. And it’s guaranteed to impress anyone who’s overly industrious—or expects you to be. Antworks’ space-age habitat ($25) for ants is an 8x6x1-inch acrylic container that reveals the work patterns of the wee critters as they crawl through aquamarine-colored goop, creating a maze of interconnected tunnels. It’s so fascinating, you can sit and watch it all day. A special illuminator attachment ($15) even makes it glow in the dark. —JM
Museum of Natural History Gift Shop
Central Park West and 79 Street
212-769-5100
For lovers of lovely earthenware, Deborah Smith’s Golden Bridge Pottery’s range of functional ceramics includes tea pots with bamboo handles ($65), pitchers (from $10), variously sized vases (from $25) and votive candle holders ($21). All are hand-blown and glazed in earthy colors. The American ex-pat potter lives and works in the town of Pondicherri, in India. Her wares are imported by and sold exclusively at Pondicherri in New York. —JM
Pondicherri
454 Columbus Avenue at 82nd Street
212-875-1609
Want to give hot fun trendy accessories, but want to leave a little something in your wallet? Then look at Avon accessories. They’ve got great looking watches for guys ($24.99), but they look way more expensive. Their nice leather band and light up face are just two of its nifty details. For women, the textured link watch ($24.99) works with jeans or business wear and has an adjustable band. Or buy their faux leopard fur with croco straps weekender bag ($34.99) and match it with their cute leopard print and black trim rainboots ($24.99). Tons of stylish items are waiting for you. —PJG
ww.avon.com
When you live in a place only slightly bigger than a packing crate, the holidays can strike fear into your heart. “Please, get me something small,” you find yourself begging family and friends.
This year, I’m sending them to Tiny Living. There are many itty-bitty wonders there, but the standout for me was the Hope Forever Blossoming flower vase from Japan.
Two to a package, the perfectly flat vinyl envelopes are each screened with a different vase shape and an “etched” pattern in orange or white. When filled with water and with the addition of a bloom or two, they magically become freestanding vases that look like the real thing.
When your flowers have faded, empty and dry the vases, and slip them in a drawer—or a file folder—‘till next time. Cheaper than crystal at $26.95 for a package of two. —XB
Tiny Living
125 East 7th Street (bet. 1st Ave & Ave A)
212-228-2748
This is The place to get a gift for the people you really care about. Regardless if they’re a movie buff or just like pretty things to look at, a poster from Posteritati is the perfect gift. This wonderful little store carries almost every original film poster on the market. It’s a bit pricy (posters starting around $400), but keep in mind that every poster is an original—no reprints, no-exceptions. These posters aren’t just posters, they are art, literally. So if you’re looking to break-up the monotony with an original gift, go to Posteritati. It’s worth the money. —SS
Posteritati
239 Centre Street
212-266-2207
Dinner is always nice and dinner at a charming little restaurant with a delicious menu of French cuisine is even nicer. 26 Seats is a quaint little place with an appetizing menu of provincial French delights. Seared duck breast with mashed sweet potatoes is $15, an escargot appetizer is $7.50, also daily specials and fresh soups of the day make dinner at this little restaurant a welcome and refreshing gift. Gift certificates are available, so even if you don’t have time to enjoy dinner you can still give the gift of an unforgettable meal (reservations are recommended). —SS
26 Seats
168 Avenue B
212-677-4787
Everyone knows at least one aspiring rock star; it may be your sister, your boyfriend, your bartender or even yourself. Well might as well wear the part with a nice new guitar. Matt Umanov has all the guitars a rock star will ever need, ranging in price and quality to suit even your most deadbeat friend. Guitars start at $149.00 and go up to $50,000. Also they carry banjos, mandolins, ukuleles and tons of other guitar related items such as picks, sheet music, tuners and the like. —SS
Matt Umanov Guitars
273 Bleecker Street
212-675-2157
For all your friends and family who are coffee-loving fiends, Porto Rico Importing Co. is the place to find the perfect gift that says “I like you even though your breath stinks.” With an array of different coffee beans and an impressive assortment of coffee paraphernalia, this is the Mecca for coffee lovers.
These stores are a host to a variety of flavored coffee beans ranging from familiar Hazelnut ($6.29 lb) to the not so familiar eggnog ($4.99 lb) and coconut ($6.29 lb), as well as the more traditional flavored beans from almost every coffee growing region in the world. Their paraphernalia isn’t lacking either; coffee makers of all types can be found here (stovetop espresso percolators starting at $10.99) as well as fancy mugs and espresso cups. —SS
Porto Rico Importing Co.
201 Bleecker St.
107 Thompson St.
401/2 St. Marks
1-800-453-5908
Even if the new Peter Jackson film is a miserable flop, we’re all going to be drowning in Kong hype. Same thing happened 30 years ago. But you know what? No matter how good or bad this latest remake may be, people will always ultimately return to the original. Not just because it’s a great monster movie or a groundbreaking special effects film, but because it’s simply a great film on any level you care to look at it. Warners had the good sense to give Kong the star treatment when it came to (eventually) releasing the DVD, with more extras than you could ever hope for or appreciate, including an audio commentary by Ray Harryhausen. He says his entire career began the moment he saw King Kong for the first time. The box set also includes the lesser lights Son of Kong and Mighty Joe Young, but what the hell? —JK
King Kong Box Set
Warners Bros.
$40
Smoking may have been pushed into the underworld by all those obnoxious nay-sayers, but tons of us unenlightened people still enjoy the earthly pleasures of tobacco. So this holiday season lets all give the finger to those non-smoking fanatics and buy our friends and family something they will actually use. Shisha has a great selection of Zippos starting at $12.95 and going up to $169.95, also they have cigarette cases ranging from $12 to $35, as well as a horde of different cigarettes from all over the world. As the name suggest, they also carry a variety of hookas ($40 to $250) and 27 different flavors of shisha to accompany the device. —SS
Shisha International
171 West 4th Street
212-229-0562
It has become increasingly difficult to put out a hit on somebody. In the good old days, it was easy to get rid of a cheating spouse, a pesky editor or our dear cousin Marla—you know, the one who took all of grandma’s Blue Willow china. Hopefully, the hats from this little milliner store in “Nolita,” made at a factory that used to produce hats specifically for the Mafia, will at least let you fantasize about the days of violent—but beautiful—retribution. The berets come in two different basic shapes: puffy and more puffy. From what we could tell, however, it is the fabric (whether cotton, wool, viscose, silk, etc.) and decorations (hand painted, brocade, woven) that make each accessory veritably unique. No two hats are ever alike, and for those truly obsessive about having a one of a kind item, the website even allows us to design our own hat. The prices vary accordingly, starting at $50 for adult, child, and baby sizes, and $40 for the doggie variety. All in all, every single item in this store is appropriate for anybody we would rather pass on to a better life; after all, who wouldn’t want to see our gorgeous little Marla look extra fabulous when she sleeps with the fishes. —HM
La Coppola Storta
246 Mott St. (betw. Houston & Prince Sts.),
www.lacoppolastorta.com
Most little kids hate to bathe. In fact, they would rather do their dishes, clean the room, or just about anything but jump into a tub. Circle of Friends has a terrific line of salon quality hair and skin care that will make bath time fun instead of hell. Ingredients like wheat proteins, panthenol, botanical and fruit extracts of aloe leaf, raspberry, chamomile and lavender populate their many potions. You won’t find sodium lauryl/laureth and most shampoos are tearless. All of their products, from shampoos to sudsy sponges, are named after children from around the world. Each bottle is brightly colored and has a cartoon depicting a child-like Leilani’s Halakahiki Lotion, Natasha’s No Tearski Shampoo or Chehn’s Dragon Dance Conditioner, have stories about them on the back of the bottle. So grab a duck shaped Chen’s Mandarin Orange Fragrance soap-infused sponge ($6.50/ 3 oz.) or Hans’ Oom Pah Pah Shampoo (two-in-one shampoo/conditioner, blueberry fragrance ($8/8 oz) or any of the other colorful, fun and great for you products for your fussy child or friend. —PJG
www.circle-of-friends.com
C. O. Bigelow Apothecary is America’s oldest apothecary; everyone from Mark Twain to John Belushi has walked through their doors, picking up toothpaste or hard to find brands like Carthusia, Mustela or 100% Pure. Pick up one of their pure vegetable glycerin based soaps in Almond Cream or Lemongrass and Orange Oils ($9.50) for a stocking stuffer or get one of the gift sets. We liked Bigelow’s Kissable Trio ($16.50) gift set. Or choose their Winter Dry Skin set ($19.50 for small, $45 for large). The Dr. Hiosous Quince Hand Lotion, Lemon Body Cream and My Favorite Lip Balm are perfect for dry winter mistreated skin. The Bigelow Rose Set ($50) contains Triple Rose Water (facial refresher/softener), Extra Gentle Eye Makeup Remover (same pH as tears and removes everything!), Rose Wonder Cold Cream (multi-use cream), Rose Water Skin Tonic (balancing tonic, contains witch hazel) and Rose Salve (all purpose skin soother).
If you don’t want to buy the gift sets, all of these products are sold separately. —PJG
C.O. Bigelow
414 Avenue of the Americas
212-533-2700
www.bathandbodyworks.com
www.bigelowchemists.com
He loves you, he says he does, but he’s very attached to Barney too. What do you do when your best friend, BF or relative is crazy in love with his pooch? Buy him a Kwigy-Bo men’s messenger bag ($75); it’s “manly” enough for a guy, roomy enough for his doggie, and since it’s black, it’ll work with anything in his closet.
Kwigy-Bo has dog apparel, bags and accessories for dogs of all sizes ranging from sleek teeny Italian greyhounds to those special extra-large dogs. —PJG
Trixie and Peanut
23 East 20th Street
(212) 358-0881
www.trixieandpeanut.com
Ron Herman’s boutiques in California are known for trendy, cutting edge fashion, accessories and killer customer service. He carries a mélange of well-known and emerging designers like Earnest Sown, Ya-Ya, Loomstate, Lotta and 3J Workshop. He now has a website with killer music, a music section, a huge selection of items—and if that’s not enough, you can call the customer service managers to help you coordinate outfits. How cool is that? We loved the 28k diamond handcuff necklace ($775) by by Juliana Eshaya, thought the Milo- Destroy Rock & Roll ($32) CD was full of killer dance tracks, and seriously sighed over the Chan Luu sequined tie front shirt ($370) because it was heavenly. What are you waiting for? —PJG
The phrase “Velvet Rope” can make anyone cringe. But the fragrance Velvet Rope will make you sigh with pleasure. The fragrance is a luscious mix of vanilla and grapefruit and works well on men as well as women. It may be a uni scent, but it’s equally erotic on both genders. Word of mouth (and noses) has made this one of the hottest scents of the season. Samples of the scent ($5) went on sale at www.apothia.com in November and quickly sold out. Thankfully they made more. A full sized 50 ml bottle of eau de parfum is $75. Hurry, before this one disappears. —PJG
www.apothia.com
You know and love their boots, but are you aware that UGG Australia makes warm and stylish coats? Their long down hooded coat ($395.00) makes you feel like you’re walking around in a blankie. Loved the side- buckled Shearling jacket ($1700.00) it’s sleek, sexy and warm. Beginner skiers will prefer the ski jacket with padded elbows and inner drawstring waist ($360.00). Their lambskin and shearling mandarin princess seamed collared jacket ($595) works well in the city or wandering down a country lane. Pair the down jacket with shearling trim on the cuffs and collar ($360.00) with slim jeans and high heeled boots for tough and sexy look. —PJG
www.uggaustralia.com, Neiman Marcus, www.neimanmarcus.com, Nordstrom’s, www.nordstroms.com
We use symbols in texting, IM’ing and emails, why not wear one around your neck? L.A.’s Sweet Tooth Designs has come up with clever necklaces you to let everyone know how you feel without saying a word. If you’re tactless like me, pick up the “foot in mouth” necklace :- !. The Smiley Collection has many other designs, including, kissing, winking, angels and devils. All necklaces come with a 16” chain. Choose from sterling silver ($65) or14 karat gold vermeil ($80) necklaces, both come with a tourmaline accented toggle clasp. There are also sold yellow or white gold versions ($280) with a custom-length chain. —PJG
www.sweettoothdesigns.com
New York’s 2/Shave (8 oz. /240 ml, $18.00) is perfect for the bleary eyed. The gel turns sheer teal on the skin, it’s a guide of where you have and haven’t shaved, perfect for the day after. Oh, and your shave? It’s smooth, close, and excellent for close-ups. 2/Shave contains Grape seed extract, aloe Vera, tea tree oil, spearmint and eucalyptus to protect your skin from razor burn, irritation and redness. Pair it with the 2/New York City Defense Lotion (4 oz. /120 ml, $30 Scruff.00). It protects your skin from the environment, retains a healthy complexion and texture, stops oil and shine so you don’t have that Exxon Valdez look. Best of all a portion of the proceeds of 2/New York goes to the MS Society of New York City.
www.scruffnewyork.com
Jack Spade’s mens line is full of whimsical items, but their cotton button down shirt is silky soft, just like a good kiss. Want to add a giggle when presents are opened? Buy a pair of monster mittens for your guy or kid ($60.00) Both sizes have funny ears, forked tongues and silly expressions. Need to get pratical? How about an industrial canvas tote bag with artwork by Eric Huestch ($125.00). Jake Spade has everything from jimmies to ipod covers; all designed with his distinctive sense of wit and practicality.
Jake Spade, 56 Greene Street, 212-625-1820, 59 Thompson Street, 212-965-8654, www.katespade.com
Get rid of funky old party air with La-Tee-Da! Effusion Lamps. These little babies have a catalytic burner that releases negative ions, neutralizing smoke, allergens, dust and any disgusting odor that’s wafting in your room while diffusing a subtle fragrance of your choice into the air. La-Tee-DA! Effusion Lamps come in a variety of styles ($35 - $100). Each lamp comes with two fragrances (Stay Awhile, Sheer Paradise) or you can buy a large bottle (16 oz, $16) of a fragrance of your choice, there are 27 fragrances to choose from.
www.flchome.com for their online locator, or call 1-800-246-1826 for a location near you.
Every holiday season like clockwork, MAC Cosmetics comes out with limited edition lip and eye palettes. They sell out in hours, buy one and you’ll do no wrong all yearThis year, MAC has come out with the most amazing limited edition cosmetic combos, so you will score. The limited editions are based on their Ornamentalism color collection; Among the great limited edition goodies are the temptations collection of five pigments ($28.50), four paints ($28.50) four shadesticks ($28.50) five lipglass ($28.50) or for lip gelee ($28.50). The limited eye and lip collections are back, this time in a shellacked case with an oriental design ($32.00- $34.00), and there are the treasures ($30.00) two lipsticks and a gloss in a tasseled case, one color grouping for cool and another grouping for warm skin tones.
www.maccosmetics.com, MAC stores and any major department store.
Just because a baby isn’t aware of anything doesn’t mean they don’t get a spot on your holiday list. Weleda has takent he story of the Frog Prince and used it to create a reusable decorative tin filled with a cute 100% organic stuffed frog, and of course Weleda baby care ($21.00)! Calendula baby Cream, (2.52 oz), Diaper Care (.39 oz), Calendula baby Soap (.7 oz) and Calendula baby Oil (.39oz) will pamper the babies in your life – yes this kit is also perfect for adults with very sensitive skin.
Whole Foods throughout the city, www.beautyhabit.com, www.amazon.com/health
Stila has debuted two new eye shadows (kitten) a soft metallic peach and Diamond Lill (a silvery taupe) (both $16.00) that are perfect for any eye color and skintone. Stila also has great limited edition gifts ranging from soy based scented candles ($14.00) to the Holiday Deluxe Palette ($36.00); perfect for the woman on the go; one blush, two lip colors, four eye shadows and brushes are held together in a mirrored case Love to flirt? Then pick up the Stila Lip Palette: Midnight Soiree ($30.00). Three lip colors and three glosses all in one mirrored case-pucker up. Hurry up these and the other limited edition Stila items go fast Macy’s, Sephora,
www.sephora.com or www.stilacosmetics.com
Got a tough to buy for fashionista on your list? Head on over to Private Collection in the East Village. Owner Mati Bracha goes on a buying trip each month, scouring the planet looking for emerging designers whose work she introduces in her East 9th Street shop. Designers and collections change all the time, so you’ll never see yourself coming and going down a street. Currently in the shop is jewelry from the Ukraine and clothing from Israel. Deconstructed coats from Unusual are $263.00 and long skirts with ruched panels from Kadeem Sasson are $288.00
Private Collection
312 East 9th Street, Monday- Saturday 11AM – 8PM, Sunday 11AM – 7PM
212-473-2762
Break up a dull cold winter with witty, wonderful and eye-popping fresh fashion from Custo Barcelona. We loved their aqua skies cherry blossom print dress ($218); because it looks like a bit of sunny weather. Dark grey epaulettes and pleated skirt with back pockets add color depth. Wear it with jeans or patterned tights. As much as we want to give our boy the flocked velvet flying guitar tee emblazoned with the legend “God Bless Blind Dates,” ($99), we keep thinking about it for ourselves. Perhaps the best thing to do would be to drag him into Custo Barcelona, make him buy some excellent stuff for him, and then steal it. Don’t listen to our larcenous minds, wrap your favorite someone in fashion that’s clever, chic and unique.
Custo Barcelona
474 Broome Street
212-274-9700
I love my friends, I really do, but they only desire hard to find perfumes, candles and cosmetics. I can either run around town, zipping from store to store slowly losing my mind while trying to find that elusive gift, or I can go online and find everything at amazon.com/beauty. A friend of mine has been yearning for the rare Chanel’s Une Fleur de Chanel ($67.50) spray. Another friend demanded Benefit’s Lip Plump ($18). Someone else whined about Too Faced Lip Plumping Kit ($18), two other items on my list were Nars Oil Free Foundation in Fiji, and L’Occitane’s Shea Travel Treasures Set ($32). Also at amazon.com/beauty is a ton of men’s grooming items, sweet baby skin care and cool candles. Our favorite part of their website is that you can create a public wish list for all your aromatic desires.
www.amazon.com/beauty
Candles are a great gift any time. Slatkin & Co’s holiday collection is scented with mandarin orange, cinnamon, clove, pine and eucalyptus. The combination of these ingredients make a sensuous, warm and inviting scent that brightens up any room. Pick a votive ($28.00/6 pack), room mist ($18.00), holiday rocks ($32.00), large candle ($28.00) or a single votive ($11.00). They’re great for last minute hostess gifts, stocking stuffers or for you.
Bergdorf Goodman, Neiman Marcus, C.O. Bigelow, www.bigelowchemists.com, www.bergdorfgoodman.com. www.neimanmarcus.com
