Holiday gift guide, New York souvenir stocking stuffers. Ah, the stocking stuffer: it’s a peculiar beast. Not the main attraction, yet it can set the tone for the day. (Proverbial orange or lump of coal, anyone?) The stocking stuffer needs to be whimsical or personal; thoughtful, rather than an afterthought. It should say fa la la rather than feh. NYC is loaded with offbeat shopping spots with great souvenirs. We’ve got the best stocking stuffer ideas for gifts that scream “only in New York.”
There are key rings, and then there are key rings. This one, from the Transit Museum (Boerum Place and Schermerhorn Street, Brooklyn), kind of deftly sums up All That Is New York: It’s a subway map baseball keychain ($4). Nailed it! Hard to think of anything more quintessentially New York, right? And by the time you gift it, opening day will be a mere three months away. And if you’re saying, “Please! Even more subway-themed goodies for the holidays!” ask no more. The museum has a wide array of New York-themed gifts, but it’s hard to resist the subway map printed on a potholder ($6.50). Added bonus? There’s a store in Grand Central Terminal—so if you’re a subway fan, you're probably already there.
Who doesn’t want a little candy indulgence at the holidays? If you’re going to break the diet, it may as well be for something good. For a place that will have you closing your eyes and breathing in the scents of chocolate and licorice the second you step in the door, try Myzel’s (140 W. 55th St.). This tiny shop carries more than 100 kinds of licorice (we’re partial to green apple, but black licorice fans will have a field day), phenomenal almond butter crunch, truffles, and more. Around the holidays, you could do worse than to put a little marzipan animal in someone’s stocking—adult or kid.
You say New York, I say...Zabar's (2245 Broadway). For the classic New York foodie, you just can't beat Zabar's, an Upper West Side institution. And rather than putting a pound of potato salad in someone’s stocking, let your sister/BFF/favorite teacher choose for herself: the store will issue either a gift certificate or an e-gift card in any amount from $5-$500. Now that’s a nice sticking stuffer. And a lot of rugelach. Or bagels. Or half-sour pickles…
If you know someone who needs a little gift with just the right cool (or quirky) factor, Exit 9 (51 Ave. A) in the East Village is a good bet. Perhaps some Unicorn Snot ($8.95)? Crayons shaped like gnomes ($10)? The ultimate geek pen set (stylus, laser pointer, flashlight; $13.50). They also have more traditional gifts, like Kobo soy candles ($42.50) or a gold-plated flask ($39.50). Still looking for that totally unique stocking stuffer? There’s a solar Pope—when a beam of sunlight touches him, he'll wave beatifically.
Aren’t you tired of using that tissue or rumpled West Side Market receipt as a bookmark? Surely Aunt Molly is, too. At the Frick Museum store, choose from sturdy laminated bookmarks with images by artists such as Vermeer and Whistler ($2.99). Maybe even throw in a Degas colored pencil tin while you’re at it ($16.95).
Lots of people love New York. But now you can specifically wear your love for Central Park right on your sleeve. The Central Park Conservancy (centralparknyc.org) sells great merchandise, and your purchase helps support the park. Try the retro I Love Central Park unisex t-shirt ($25)—it will roll up nicely to pop into a stocking—or our favorite: The Balto (the dog) Statue Silhouette necktie ($54.99). The onesie featuring an image of the Imagine mosaic from the John Lennon memorial is pretty great too. Start tots into supporting New York at a young age and perhaps one day they’ll repay the favor and you’ll find some great New York-themed stuff in your stocking as well.
Knicks superstar Kristaps Porzingis may stand 7'3" on the court, but this holiday you can own the pocket-sized "POP" version at 3"3/4" tall. Available with other NBA stars for the perfect gift at the NBA Store NYC. 545 Fifth Avenue (at 45th Street), 212-457-3120, nba.com/nycstore.
