Holiday gift guide 2012: Stores that gift-wrap for you

Ann Cantrell stocks her one-room shop full of everything urbanites need for their pads, as well as unique gifts she deems “Best in Show.” Nab Frausto & Co. The Gentleman’s Deck playing cards ($16), featuring different tips for dudes (like how to tie a tie), Atlas world-map cork boards ($40), Stelton coffee presses ($45) and Fred letter-stamped cookie cutters (set of 28, $20). The friendly staff will wrap your gift for free in the store’s signature royal blue and green trimmings all year round.

Urban Outfitters’ chic sister chain has gifts galore, from bee-print dish towels ($18) and polka-dot oven mitts ($14) to beaded jewelry boxes ($68) and bird-print iPhone cases ($24). The lady in your life will love a knit beanie ($38) or astrological-print canvas pouch ($28), which you can get packaged for free in adorable white gift bags and boxes with colorful ribbons until the end of December. If you’re going the gift card route (we’re not judging!), the store provides pastel boxes with ribbons that look as if you put in the extra effort. 

Both the Park Slope and East Village locations of retail consultant Grace Kang’s gift shop offer whimsical presents for all ages. Let the staff wrap up Pink Olive vintage-inspired alphabet stamp sets (26 letters and case for $36) and cat-shaped tape dispensers ($22) or Erica Weiner brass rings ($38) in festive, gratis glitter tissue, available all year round. If you’re looking for fancier wrapping for Rifle Paper Co. floral coasters (set of four, $24), Rae Funn decorative stones ($12 each) and Brooklyn Rehab agate crystal earrings ($88), grab a Knot & Bow gifting kit ($38), which includes metallic twine, gift tags, stickers, doilies and clothespins. • 439 E 9th St between First Ave and Ave A • 167 Fifth Ave between Berkeley and Lincoln Pls

This kitschy French import’s four Manhattan stores have a wide selection of humorous gifts for a coworker (ladybug-shaped staplers, $9) or a parental unit (Eiffel Tower–shaped cheese graters, $24), or as a stocking stuffer (LEGO-shaped iPod docks, $23). Gift wrapping is available the whole year, with colorful paper and bags ($3 each) big enough to fit awkwardly shaped presents such as umbrellas with animal-shaped handles($35) and buglike garden rakes ($30). Out-of-towners will love NYC-themed items such as Statue of Liberty cookie cutters ($11 each) and Christoph Niemann’s I Lego New York mini books ($16).

You’re sure to find a gift for every reader in the 18 miles of new, used and rare books at this 85-year-old indie shop. Classics, such as Betty Smith’s A Tree Grows in Brooklyn ($14) and Toni Morrison’s Beloved ($14), sit on a table right by the entrance with 78 other popular picks, making it easy to grab what you’re looking for. You’ll also find a large selection of book accessories, greeting cards, drinkware and NYC souvenirs to complement your present. Pick up EcoJot striped iPad cases ($40), Knock Knock humorous bookmarks ($6) and Peerless owl-print mugs ($12), and head downstairs for gratis gift wrapping with Strand logo- and book-print paper. Gift wrapping is available on Nov 23–26, Nov 30–Dec 2, and then daily from Dec 7–24.