This holiday season, find unique Christmas and Hanukkah gifts and support local New York City artisans and small businesses at the same time. We've got picks for unusual NYC-made gifts for everyone on your list -- from jaded native New Yorkers to out-of-town pals and relatives.
1. Shop NYC Holiday Markets for Cool Hand-Made Gifts
You'll find endless gift options from New York City artisans and vendors at the seasonal holiday markets in Union Square, Bryant Park, Columbus Circle, and elsewhere. Find hand-knit accessories to keep your loved one cozy during the New York winter, NYC-inspired artwork and photography to decorate their walls, clothing, jewelry, handbags, toys, and much more.
2. Affordable Acupuncture for Your Stressed-Out Friends
Help your NYC-based friend or family member de-stress by giving the gift of acupuncture. Olo Acupuncture is a Chelsea acupuncture studio run by a husband and wife team. The treatments are relaxing and re-energizing and the cost is just $40 per session. You can purchase a New Patient Whole Wellness package for $80 and get a full health assessment and herbal consultation with the acupuncture treatment.
3. A Bespoke Shirt for Your Favorite Elegant Gentleman
Help that elegant Manhattan gentleman on your list look even more dapper. Michael Andrews Bespoke is an appointment-only custom men's shop in downtown NYC that can outfit your man in tailor-made suits, shirts, blazers, and more. For the holiday season, buy a gift certificate for a custom shirt with a label personally embroidered with your guy's name. Custom shirts start at $205 each.
4. A Bed and Breakfast Getaway
What could be better than the gift of escape to a cozy little bed-and-breakfast? BnBFinder is a NYC-based company that sells gift certificates for stays at the best inns and bed-and-breakfasts across the country. You can buy your stressed-out New York pal a certificate for a stay at a secluded country inn -- or get your out-of-town friend a certificate for a stay at a New York city bed-and-breakfast. Gift certificate amounts start at $20, never expire, and have no black out dates.
5. Day of Beauty and Relaxation
Everybody loves a spa gift certificate. You can't go wrong with James Corbett Studios. James is a genius hair colorist and his staff of talented stylists and aestheticians are guaranteed to make anyone on your gift list feel pampered, relaxed, and beautiful. For the holiday season, James Corbett Studios is offering special packages including a $100 organic facial and massage package and a $50 mani/pedi and blow-out special.
6. A Custom Case for Their Favorite Gadget
Brooklyn-based Caseable can make a super-cool custom case for your loved one's laptop, iPad, Kindle (including the Fire), or journal. Design the perfect case with your own images and artwork or choose from a variety of Caseable options. Every case is hand-crafted in Brooklyn, and made out of recycled neoprene. Prices range from $29.90-$69.90 and they ship to all locations in the U.S., Canada, and Europe.
7. Cool Cause-Related Products to Support NYC Non-Profits
At Filanthropists.com, you can buy cause-related gifts to raise funds for NYC-based non-profits and charities (and those outside of New York City if you want to expand your horizons). Unique gift items include a Manhattan skyline snow globe to support Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, a sterling silver bangle to raise funds for the New York City chapter of the Alzheimer's Association, and a one-of-a-kind art print to support art projects in schools.
8. Tiramisu Treats
Dolce Vizio in the West Village is New York's first cafe entirely dedicated to Tiramisu. For the holidays, one of their Tiramisu Cakes is a great gift idea for anyone with a sweet tooth. Select from six signature flavors including classic tiramisu and versions made with Nutella, Limoncello, mango, caramel, and other yummy flavors. Each cake is $39 and serves 9. You can order at Dolce Vizio at 131 Christopher Street at Hudson Street or by calling 646-669-7432.
9. Cool Jewelry from a New York Metalsmith
Stephanie Maslow-Blackman is a Manhattan-based metalsmith who makes all of her jewelry by hand in a tiny studio in the corner of her NYC apartment. Her cool Modern Rock collection features pieces hand crafted from recycled metals to resemble faceted gemstones. Buy your fashionable friend a real jewelry conversation piece made with love in New York City.
10. A Book About New York's Most Beautiful Homes
New Yorkers just love drooling over prize New York City real estate. Acanthus Press, a small NYC publishing house specializing in fine coffee-table books on architecture and design, has a great gift for your friend obsessed with fine Manhattan homes. The New York Apartment Houses of Rosario Candela and James Carpenter by Andrew Alpern offers a glimpse inside the finest apartment buildings on Park and Fifth Avenues. Richly illustrated with period photographs and floor plans, the book provides an architectural and social history of the great buildings of Candela and Carpenter. Retail price is $75.
Other Acanthus title of interest for the discerning New York gift buyer include Great Houses of New York, 1880-1930 ($80 retail) and New York Interior Design, Collector’s Edition ($250 retail for two volumes).
Other Acanthus title of interest for the discerning New York gift buyer include Great Houses of New York, 1880-1930 ($80 retail) and New York Interior Design, Collector’s Edition ($250 retail for two volumes).
