Best gift shops: Gramercy

While it may seem like nothing in this inspiring home behemoth falls into the “budget” designation, the basement of the rug depot (west side of the street) offers a trove of carpet remnants, like a beautiful purple-inflected beige number (12'x14') for about $300, which can be cut to any size and bound—a customer recently had them re-create the shape of a bear. You can get natural fibers (jute, sisal) and broadlooms along with rug samples and overstock (most of which are reduced by 50% to 75%). Upstairs, you'll find insanely gorgeous wares at equally insane prices: Madeline Weinrib Atelier graphic centerpieces, huge flokatis and a slew of hand-tied rugs from far-flung corners of the world.

Walking into this Flatiron spot feels as if you’ve just stumbled upon the best stall at the flea market. Worn-wood shelves support stack upon stack of assorted rainbow-colored dishes ($1–$17), mismatched vintage china ($5–$23), toile teapots ($15–$39) and other kitschy kitchenwares. The amazingly cheap price tags make it worth battling the often-pressing crowds to stock up on assorted flatware ($1–$6 each) and glassware, including oversize stemless martini glasses ($6), elegant champagne flutes ($8) and Italian-style painted wineglasses ($5). If you’re in need of a serious discount, plunder the sale section in the back for never-before-used castoffs from restaurant and hotel suppliers. But there are plenty of affordable, freshly minted kitchen goods too. Local-specific buys include platters printed with the Brooklyn skyline ($17–$25) and Floor Plan dinnerware (from $8 for a five-square-inch “studio” to $33 for a 12-by-16-inch “penthouse”).

This sister boutique to the Soho location is outfitting, accessorizing and entertaining the hippest of hip travelers. High ceilings, glass displays, and the cream-and-tan color scheme give the store an airy, elegant hotel feel, while the semi-circular marble cashier’s desk (originally from the New York Public Library) adds a piece of Manhattan’s roots. Though OC is based around the principle of bringing international brands to NYC (the store’s name was even inspired by the Olympics), this concept shop offers NYC chicness to vacationers. Trendy toiletries are in abundance, from neon OC toothbrushes ($4 each) and Japanese toothpastes ($6) to Proper Attire condom cases designed by Alexander Wang and Jeremy Scott ($6, includes three condoms). Part of the shop’s allure are the exclusive collaborations, such as 3.1 Phillip Lim cashmere blanket shawls with matching eye masks ($200 for the set), jewel-tone Tumi luggage and travel goods (like canvas-wrapped adapters for $55), a Maison Martin Margiela feather pen circa Cher Horowitz in Clueless ($50) and Silver Lining Opticians aviator sunglasses with colored lenses ($295).