The Shortandsweetnyc Holiday Gift Guide
LOCAL TRAIN
Get to know your neighborhood artisans for holiday deals on one-of-kinds and unique gifts that you can pick up right now. Swing in on your way home and meet these great folks who can help you greet yours…
Head Hoods
427 Manhattan Avenue
Williamsburg, Brooklyn
Clinton Van Gemert has been quietly making some of the coolest prints for hooded sweatshirts and totebags for several years in various locales of Brooklyn. Now settled in a more permanent workshop on the corner of Manhattan Ave. and Bayard St. (right by the skatepark) in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, Clinton has gone into overdrive to produce orders for the holiday season—but here’s a secret tip—If you drop him a line or drop by his studio, you can pick up some items leftover from past printings on the cheap and his latest Totem Totes are on sale for a holiday steal.
Cafecito Bogota
1015 Manhattan Avenue
Greenpoint, Brooklyn
Make merry and break bread with a heaping pile of delicious steak, avocado and chimichurri piled high on a warm, delicious arepa. The eco-conscious and outstanding Arepa, Wine and Coffee bar, Cafecito Bogota is the perfect place for a unique holiday treat. How many nice dinners and nights out have you given up in 2009? Reward yourself and celebrate the spirit of togetherness with a dinner for two or more at Colombian outpost in Puntaverde (Greenpoint).
Katrina Lapenne Gold Vermeil Snake Earrings
Available at Catbird, Brooklyn
219 Bedford Avenue
These stunner studs come in silver ($130), 18k vermeil ($150), and 14k solid gold ($600) and will quite simply, knock the socks off of any hipster gal. Period.
katrinalapenne.com to view all of her collections.
catbirdnyc.com to order the silver online.
The Future Perfect
115 North 6th Street,
Williamsburg, Brooklyn
Inside Out Champagne Glasses available through The Future Perfect, are the unusual yet perfect token for the hosts who will lead your toast into a brighter New Year. A set of two sells for $65 at thefutureperfect.com.
Artists and Fleas Market
129 N.6th Street
Williamsburg, Brooklyn
If you don’t know- you should know. The Artists and Fleas Market is the number one, huge cooperative space for vintage sellers and area craftspeople alike to come together and offer a bountiful bazaar of fabulous items in a wide range of prices and tastes. One stop off the L train into Brooklyn, peruse the varied shops on Bedford Avenue, but save yourself at least 2 full hours to properly browse this shopping gem.
EXPRESS LANE
Quick online buys from our favorite vendors you may not have heard of quite yet…
Daytrip Society features some of the most amazing house wares, bags, throws, books and note card sets, inspired by the spirits of Nature and Travel. Our recommendation is to pick up some reading recommended for the cerebral outdoorsman or woman to fuel their warmer-month whimsies. Books at Daytrip Society range from $9.99 to $40.00. daytripsociety.com
And while you’re in the check out lane at your virtual bookstore, be sure to check into Look Both Ways– an inspired and inspiring amalgamation of words and imagery by award-winning designer and AIGA President- Debbie Millman. Hot off the presses and truly spell binding work for the creative ones you love. Details and purchase available through debbiemillman.com (retails for $16.50)
If you’ve never been to the AplusR store online, you’re out of commission for about an hour once you head there. The assortment of home, furnishing, travel and gifting items like this amazing Gold Knuckles Mug ($98), Chrome Knife Holder ($158) and Grenade Piggy Bank ($32) will give you plenty of options for that one big-ticket item you need to wow your eccentric mate or mother. aplusrstore.com
We all know that although eagles are badass, they are also endangered badasses- so how cool would it be to adopt one and save an eagle? Join the World Wildlife Fund’s efforts to protect endangered animals by gifting a Species Adoption. With your donation of $25, $50 or $100, a certificate of adoption (with 100 animals to choose from) plus additional goodies will be sent to the giftee of your choice. Goodwill towards mankind– and eagles! worldwildlife.org
And while we’re on the subject of saving the planet and it’s subjects- here is an awesome and eco-friendly steal to serve as gift or the bright package for all your celebratory trinkets. These Flexie Totes are made from 100% recycled materials- mainly consisting of durable, cleanable and brightly-colored flexible vinyl from the billboards of India. It’s the final reincarnation of all the stinky gifts of Christmases past. designboom.com