Shopping for holiday gifts can feel overwhelming and deflatingly consumerist. But it can be an opportunity to support more small businesses than usual and do our part to keep them, especially given the uncertainty of tariffs, as this soapmaker put it. It’s also a way to eschew Amazon and feel more connected to our communities.
And there are more choices than just the major holiday markets at Bryant Park, Macy’s Holiday Square and Union Square to check out unique gifts for your family and friends. Here are places not only to shop early, but make a day of it and invest in the cultural and economic lifeblood of our neighborhoods.
QUEENS
Jackson Heights for community bookshop and art supply shop
- Shop Here:
- A.R.T. (Art Retail Therapy), located at 84-26 37th Ave.: For art supplies and more, head to A.R.T., one of our longtime partners for arts programming. This queer- and Latino‑owned store hosts figure‑drawing classes and helps immigrant neighbors with document copying and translation.
- World’s Borough Bookshop, located at 34-06 73rd St.: Founded by Adrian Cepeda (aka BookPapi on TikTok), with shelves highlighting BIPOC authors, you’ll find diverse options at this independent bookstore. Cepeda’s passion for representation in literature began with his own search for books featuring Latino characters; his TikTok recommendations have helped build a nationwide audience.
- Then Eat: Too many options, but to highlight just one neighborhood staple, Jackson Diner has been serving authentic North Indian dishes like chicken tikka masala, samosas and saag paneer since 1983.
- Kid-Friendly Break: Travers Park for a playground stop.
Forest Hills Holiday Market
- Shop Here: Yant Art Space, located at 72‑50 Austin St., 2nd Floor on Dec. 6-7 and Dec. 13-14. Hosted by Friends of Yant Art Space, a group of artists and supporters, this small but festive market features local makers selling eco-friendly jewelry, artisanal crafts, upcycled goods and home décor.
- Then Eat: Just Salad Forest Hills recently opened at 107‑34 71st Ave. It serves seasonal bowls and chef-designed menu items – a quick holiday stop that’s healthy for your body and wallet.
- If you’re shopping on Nov. 18 or Nov. 19, take advantage of Just Salad’s $5 meals — or the Community Workers Day specials on Nov. 20 and $5 VIP Reusable Bowl days from Nov. 21–23. From Nov. 24–Dec. 12, enjoy weekday Happy Hour salads and bowls for $9.69.
- As a bonus, you’re boosting a business that’s directly supporting community: The shop is donating $1 for each in-store purchase from its opening day earlier this week to the Forest Hills Green Team, which we’ve featured in our coverage of community composting and the education of high school civic leaders.
- If you’d like heartier fare, we’ve featured the Christmas dumplings at The Bund, a Shanghai-style restaurant, in our list of favorite small businesses to support.
- Take a Break: Azal Coffee is a great place to sit back with a warm latte or chai in a calm, art-filled café.
- Kid-Friendly Break: Willow Lake Playground in Forest Park is perfect for kids to run off some holiday energy.
Historic chocolate spot in Woodhaven
- Shop Here: Schmidt’s Candy, 83‑03 Jamaica Ave.
Nearly 100 years old, this family-owned shop specializes in handmade chocolates, retro holiday candies and a true old-school candy store experience. You can find stocking stuffers and festive sweets in every corner. - Then Eat: Neir’s Tavern, located at 87‑48 78th St. in Woodhaven, is considered the city’s oldest continuously operating tavern (since 1829). Neir’s Tavern is Black immigrant-owned, family-friendly and serves sandwiches, classic bar bites and holiday brunches.
- Take a Break: Neir’s jazz brunch, trivia game show or comedy club might also be a good place to hang out after shopping or eating. Apart from regular bingo or open mics, Neir’s is hosting holiday events such as a wreath-making workshop on Dec. 2.
- Kid-Friendly Break: Forest Park playgrounds are also just a few blocks away for a short winter walk.
A record shop in Ridgewood
- Shop Here: Fringe Records, located at 6-56 Woodward Ave. in Ridgewood. If you’re searching for a gift for the niche music lovers in your life, support this queer-owned record shop and cultural hub specializing in noise, experimental, goth, metal, Italo disco, queer dance and house. Expect zines, art books and a steady stream of community events, from Fruit Basket Comedy to art markets and film screenings.
- Then Eat: For masa pancakes with cinnamon-dusted butter — or savory equivalents in deliciousness — Hellbender’s brunch and dinner menus both offer skirt steak, lamb tacos and fried Oaxacan cheese.
- Kid-Friendly Break: We’ve featured Ridgewood Reservoir in our list of top outdoor spots, which might make a nice walk if it’s not too cold.
MANHATTAN
A community bookstore and hub in Chinatown
- Shop Here: Yu and Me Books, located at 34 Bowery in Manhattan’s Chinatown. NYC’s first Asian American, female-run bookstore offers bilingual books and art from local creators. We recently spoke with its founder, Lucy Yu, about the importance of taking care of our mental health — which is especially pressing during the holiday season.
- Take a Break: You can also stay at Yu and Me Books for upcoming community events, such as the book launch of “The Cuffing Game” on Nov. 18 and of the Batshit Seven on Dec. 10 — and the No/Pen Mic (open mic event) on Nov. 21.
- Then Eat: Nom Wah Tea Parlor, located at 13 Doyers St. — We’ve had this classic spot on our Christmas Day dim sum list. Established in 1920 near the first Chinese language theater in New York City (at a site once known as the “Bloody Angle” for its history of gang violence), Nom Wah Tea Parlor is likely the earliest dim sum restaurant in the city and among the first in the nation. It’s also the oldest continuously running restaurant in Manhattan’s Chinatown. Come for its dumplings and popular egg rolls.
- Take another Break: Kimlau Square offers benches, public art and a bit of calm between shopping sprees.
Holiday and Yalda Market in the Flatiron District
- Shop Here: Pomexpo’s Holiday and Yalda Market, located at 45 W. 25th St., on Dec. 13, 10 a.m.–6 p.m. Step into a sunlit gallery with more than 40 vendors — many immigrant- and women-owned — offering handmade jewelry, home décor and unique holiday crafts. Event organizers describe it as an “East meets West” celebration. Admission is free, though donations are welcome.
- Then Eat: On-site vendors also provide food, festive treats and Persian beer.
- Take a Break: Madison Square Park is a great spot to stroll around, take photos with the holiday decorations and give your feet a rest.
- Kid-Friendly Break: Kids can decorate small holiday cards or ornaments at vendor tables at the holiday and Yalda market.
THE BRONX
Bronx Winter Market in Fordham Plaza
- Shop Here: Bronx Winter Market, 1 Fordham Plaza, Saturdays, Nov. 30 – Dec. 28, 4-10 p.m. The Fordham Plaza location includes more than 25 vendors to help you shop for handmade jewelry, home goods, crafts and small-batch foods. Expect live music, festive decorations and holiday giveaways.
- Then Eat: George’s Diner & Café, 2369 Westchester Ave. Instead of waffling around after you shop, enjoy George’s highly recommended waffles. The diner is right near the train station if you need to head out after.
- Kid-Friendly Break: Pink Princess Nails, located at 2616 E. Tremont Ave., is a salon exclusively for children (ages 3–12), offering themed manicures, mini-facials, glitter, robes and princess-level pampering. While the kids get glammed up, parents can take a breather or shop some more. (Or you can let kids run around St. Mary’s Park’s playgrounds.)
BROOKLYN
A bilingual co-op bookstore and candle shop in Bushwick
- Shop Here:
- Mil Mundos, 323 Linden St.: A volunteer-run bilingual bookstore and cultural hub celebrating Black, Latinx and Indigenous literature, Mil Mundos offers an opportunity for you to make your friend a heartfelt collage or simply gift them a book from a cooperative that’s doing for the community (through mutual aid efforts, language classes and more).
- Nose Best Candles nearby sells multisensory gift experiences, scent and music playlists for a unique present. The synesthesia-inspired candle shop was started by two best friends who taught themselves candle-making on YouTube during the pandemic. Each candle includes a curated Spotify playlist and a cocktail recipe, plus goodies from micro-brands like The Cool Table and Prince Peacock.
- Kid-Friendly Break: Mil Mundos hosts workshops where kids can make bookmarks, collages or ornaments.
- Then Eat: Hit up Cholita Coffee for pastries, coffee or a holiday snack. The sibling-run café celebrates Ecuadorian and other South American coffee blends. Cholita also features local artists’ work on the walls of the shop.
A holiday pop-up fundraiser market in Bensonhurst
- Shop Here: Sip, Shop & Support Pop-Up, 78-22 13th Ave. in Bensonhurst: This one-night holiday fundraiser supports the Anthony G. Filippazzo Fund for Williams Syndrome Research. The pop-up market features @makeitf0rever permanent jewelry, @byrendor_ fine jewelry, small-batch makers, light bites and iced teas from Saint James Iced Tea. Stay for the giveaway: a $100 gift card and a free permanent bracelet.
- Then Eat: Nearby Italian bakeries and pizzerias line 13th Avenue; Villabate Alba is a classic for cannoli or cappuccino.
- Kid-Friendly Break: Head toward Dyker Heights afterward to see the famous holiday lights.
STATEN ISLAND
Snug Harbor Holiday Hop
- Shop Here: Snug Harbor Cultural Center and Botanical Garden, located at 1000 Richmond Terrace in Staten Island, will host this holiday pop-up on Dec. 6-7. Over 150 local artisans will offer ceramics, jewelry, prints, ornaments and small-batch gifts by the waterfront.
- Then Eat: Harbor Eats Café — tacos, sandwiches and seasonal treats.
- Kid-Friendly Break: Wander the Botanical Garden or the Walker Park playground.
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You can find some other holiday gift ideas we’ve covered here and here.
