A Very Village Gift Guide
The holidays in the Village have a way of slowing you down — just long enough to wander into a boutique you’ve never noticed or discover a handmade treasure crafted with care.
This year, skip the big-box rush and explore the classics, crowd-pleasers, and creative surprises of the Village.
For the Host with the Most
Start at The Grey Pearl on University Place, a jewel-box of a home and tabletop store. Their collection ranges from a sculptural Menorah in Cast Iron ($175) to Dreidel Cocktail Napkins (set of 4, $45) and playful ornaments like a Pretzel Ornament ($22) or Espresso Martini Cocktail Ornament ($26)—all pieces that look as good on the table as they do tucked into a gift box.
Caroline Weaver, Owner of Locavore Variety Store
Locavore Variety Store offers unique finds perfect for holiday gatherings, like the True Bayberry Taper Candles ($22), traditionally burned for good luck, or Bellocq Tea Atelier Mulling Spices ($28), a great companion to a bottle of wine from one of the wine shops along Sixth Avenue.
For the Food & Drink Lover
For wine enthusiasts, go for a bottle from Village Vintner on Sixth Avenue, whose shop features hundreds of wines and spirits. You’ll find everything from everyday bottles to special dessert wines like Bodegas Emilio Hidalgo Pedro Ximénez Sherry ($28), a popular holiday offering.
Also on Sixth Avenue, Travelers Poets & Friends is part café, part Italian specialty market. Their “Food Market” concept highlights high-end imported products—olive oils, pantry goods, sweets—and locally sourced ingredients from nearby farmers’ markets. Put together a custom “Village aperitivo” kit: a good olive oil, a jar of something briny, and a gift card tucked into the bag so your recipient can come back for focaccia and a glass of wine on a cold winter night.
Inside Travelers Poets & Friends
For the BOOK LOVER
The Village is especially kind to readers. Village Works on St. Marks Place is a gallery-bookstore devoted to New York City culture. Their “Best Selling Books” section highlights titles like signed copies of James and Karla Murray’s “STORE FRONT” ($40)—perfect for anyone who loves the city’s streetscapes and subcultures.
Inside Village Works
Just around the corner, the iconic Strand Book Store offers more than 18 miles of books. Their Holiday Gift Guide gathers staff-picked titles for every reader, and the gift section is full of Village-iconic merch: Strand totes like the “White Stripe Vintage” bag ($25) and illustrated Ilya Milstein Strand totes ($30), plus mugs and other literary curios.
At nearby Alabaster Bookshop, a cozy used-book store “filled to the brim” with art, fiction, and philosophy, you can build a one-of-a-kind stack of gently worn paperbacks and out-of-print gems—ideal for that friend who prefers a well-thumbed book to a brand-new hardcover.
For photography fans, Dashwood Books is devoted entirely to photography. Their in-house zines—like Always There, Aspirin, Corriente, and Biting the Hand that Feeds You—are beautifully produced, signed first editions, often priced around $18, and available to order online.
If you’d rather let your reader choose, Three Lives & Company offers old-school gift certificates by mail; you can request them directly from the shop.
For the Wellness Warrior
A short walk up University Place brings you to Aesop University Place, where the shelves are lined with meticulously designed skincare and body care. Their Seasonal Gift Kits—like Too Many Cooks in the Kitchen (three hand-care staples, $96), Serenity at the Basin (a polishing and hydrating skincare duo, $110), and Party in the Greenhouse (a Geranium Leaf body trio, $132)—come beautifully packaged and ready-to-go.
Inside Aesop on University Place
On Sixth Avenue, Bluemercury West Village stocks a wide range of innovative skincare, fragrance, and makeup brands. Their curated gift sets (including advent calendars, stocking stuffers, and limited-edition value kits) make it easy to match a set to your budget and your giftee’s routine ($10-$100+).
If your idea of wellness leans toward movement, consider an experience gift. A membership or month of classes at TMPL Astor Place, where membership options start around $155 for a “Single Club Commit” plan and include access to a full suite of classes and amenities.
For the Culture Connoisseur
Some people would rather collect memories than objects. For them, the Village’s cultural institutions make wonderfully generous gifts. A gift membership to The Public Theater includes benefits like waived ticket fees, plus reserved seats for Shakespeare in the Park at higher tiers. It’s a gift that stretches well beyond the holidays. If you’re shopping last-minute, digital gift cards redeemable at Joe’s Pub are another option; they can be used toward tickets and make it easy for your recipient to pick a show that suits their taste and schedule.
For the Neighborhood Devotee
For those who love the Village itself—its leafy streets, parks, and neighborhood charm—the most meaningful gift this season is supporting Project Green, the Village Alliance’s plan to bring more trees, planters, and green spaces to our streets.
Your donation helps fund upgraded tree beds, new shade trees, pedestrian-safety planters, and small seating areas that make the Village safer, cooler, and more beautiful. Consider giving in someone’s honor or sponsoring a planter or tree—an enduring gift that supports the neighborhood we love.
