Where to buy NYC gifts for the holidays

This whiskey distillery pumps handcrafted, organic-corn-based moonshines and bourbons in the Brooklyn Navy Yard’s 112-year-old Paymaster Building. Using only New York grain, old-school distilling practices (for example, aging whiskey for at least 14 months in charred-oak barrels) and minimal packaging, Kings County Distillery harkens back to a pre-Prohibition NYC. It also offers really cool, themed tours for a fun, experiential holiday gift. If that’s not up their alley, they sell both classic whiskey and aged whiskey gift sets they’ll surely enjoy.

Franny’s owners Francine Stephens and Andrew Feinberg opened this specialty-foods store near their Flatbush Avenue pizzeria. Inside the white-tiled space, international cheeses and cured meats are sold alongside homemade sausages, while a frequently changing menu of sandwiches and seasonal dishes allows customers to carry their dinners home. Other items, from chocolates to vinegar, will help locals stock their own larders. Gift them with a delicious gift basket filled with sweet and savory goodies, including its Christmas Cheese and Charcuterie gift basket (Plymouth Cheddar, L’Amuse Brabander goat Gouda, Brin’s Jam, Castelton Crackers, Brooklyn Brittle, Raaka Gingersnap Chocolate, Larder Graham Crackers and Candy Cane sweet licorice) or its Hanukkah Cheese and Charcuterie Gift Basket (Tres Leches cheese aged with olive oil, Jasper Hill Bayley Hazen Blue, Castelton Crackers, Seed + Mill Halva, Mast Olive Oil, Chocolate, BKLYN Larder Olive Oil Roasted Almonds, a silver dreidel and gelt). YUM!

Owners Daisy and Neil carry on the legacy of Yoseka Stationery, a purveyor of Asian stationery that started in Neil’s hometown of Taoyuan, Taiwan, with their lovely shop in Greenpoint. From beautiful washi tape to timelessly-designed planners, there’s a large selection of gifts that would warm any stationery lover’s heart. As a writer, my favorite item right now is the Diamine Inkvent Calendar and the embroidered Midori 5-year diary, which could make their journaling life much prettier.

Worn-wood shelves support stack upon stack of assorted rainbow-colored dishes, mismatched vintage china, teapots and other kitschy kitchenware. The amazingly cheap price tags make it worth battling the often-pressing crowds to find the perfect gift for your loved one. You can really go crazy in here and find something for everyone since there are loads of styles to choose from. Our favorite items right now include the frog candle and a set of vintage cups like these that come in pink & yellow polka dots and green & blue geometrics!

Murray’s is basically the Willy Wonka’s candy store of cheese. The huge West Village shop is filled from floor to ceiling with everything you need for the perfect cheese plate, basket or late-night binge-eating session. The cheese case seems to stretch for miles and is filled with between 350 and 400 cheeses at any time. For the cheese lover in your life, gift them a basket full of dairy delicacies. 

A former buyer for Bloomingdale’s and Barneys New York, owner Grace Kang stocks her pair of whimsical gift shops with knickknacks ($8–$150), decorative accessories ($28–$88) and cards ($4–$6) from indie designers such as Atsuyo Et Akiko, Knot & Bow and Paper Lovely. There’s just so much to choose from in this hip and kitschy shop, but we love the NYC-centric Christmas tree ornaments, the Empire State art print, and the “You Are Loved” items that’ll remind them how much you care.

You would be hard-pressed to leave this cheerful store without finding something that makes you crack a smile. It boasts a plethora of items—home goods, electronics, clothing—with an upbeat energy. Expect lots of bright colors, sassy quotes (“This is fucking delicious!”) and whimsical toys, with an entire section dedicated to products made in New York City. This year, the shop is going even more local by teaming up with NYC shops to curate gift boxes!

Searching for a present for someone who desperately wishes to relive the glory days of Woodstock, Nudie suits and wicker furniture? This affordable bohemian vintage fave can scratch that itch. Most of the Greenpoint spot’s loot dates back to the ’60s and ’70s and includes funky furniture like peacock chairs and gorgeous vanity trinkets like mirrored beauty trays. And since most items are one of a kind, we suggest trolling the treasure trove’s Instagram account (@dobbinstcoop) for updates on what blasts from the past have just arrived. Tip: they almost always have a packed-bin of disco balls for sale.

New York is lucky to be the home of Friends — and yes, we’re referring to the Bushwick storefront, not the '90s TV show. Aside from new and vintage wares for all genders, the hot spot sells a wide range of gifts, especially for the natural-loving, inner mystics inside each and every one of us. Admit it, you buy palo santo by the bundle! For NYC gifts, we’ve got our eyes on its holiday collection that’s currently hawking a pizza-scented candle, a cowboy boot match holder and more.

Have a discerning bookworm in your life? In addition to staff picks and local favorites displayed prominently up front, the shop has an abundant selection of children’s literature. Not sure what to pick up, ask the knowledgeable staff! 

This woman-owned shop, spearheaded by Nicole Panettieri, is Astoria’s answer for stylish clothing, accessories, candles and other must-buy gifts from New York makers. Scoop up gorgeous earrings made in NYC, cool prints from Astoria artist AJ the Awful or some incredible-smelling bath salts. Bonus: With each purchase, you can collect points to get some pretty nifty discounts.

Prepare to feel like you’ve been whisked away to Shanghai upon entering this Tribeca go-to for home goods, many of which you’ll only find here. Even though the new location is smaller than its massive former Soho outpost, the shop has still managed to pack in thousands of Chinese products like beautiful ceramics and traditional tea sets. Best of all, the prices are incredibly reasonable; almost everything in the store is less than $100. But be warned: You’ll definitely leave with more items than the ones on your list.

Want to send a curated floral bouquet to someone who needs a pick-me-up during the holidays? Check out this Brooklyn-based floral company Oat Cinnamon, run by Ryan Norville. There is certainly artistry involved in every flower arrangement, which stays in the aesthetic of fairytale-meets-pastels. Norville usually uses dried flowers, starting with greens like eucalyptus and then fills out the bouquets with pale-colored carnations. You can choose what elements are included like dry stems, seasonal produce or statement sizing.

Feng Sway is a gift-shop oasis in Greenpoint that’s wall-to-wall with kooky vintage clothing like silk kimonos and chain halter tops, antique furniture, eclectic knickknacks, incense, and exotic plants. You won’t leave empty-handed, in fact, you’ll most likely leave with a gift for someone—and for yourself.

Here’s another Astoria treasure trove that’s currently filled with amazing presents, stocking stuffers, and Hanukkah gifts for those looking to shop in the $25-and-under department. Our faves right now are these Yin Yang Wave Sock Slippers, a Queens Vibes Only T-shirt, and a New York Cheap Eats Enamel Charm Necklace.

Take note of this Brooklyn shop! This menswear brand makes jackets, T-shirts, and caps that represent the new nostalgia. Translation: BKc’s designs are inspired by old-school silhouettes paired with a modern edge to ensure each piece will remain relevant for years to come. 

Handmade soaps, cleaning products, and totes — oh, my! Fountain House + Body should be your go-to gifting destination, especially if you want to save Mother Earth. The owners go above and beyond to ensure customers are getting quality goods that are environmentally friendly, reusable, and downright beautiful. Aside from handmade Fountain House + Body products, the shop carries products from other beloved sustainable brands like Colony & Co., Soma, Keep Cup, and more. We highly recommend giving someone a lovely gift set of Fountain House goods.