The Best Places to Shop Small for Holiday Gifts in New York City

Do your holiday shopping the old-fashioned way—in person.

Dec 8, 2022 - 17:17

The Best Places to Shop Small for Holiday Gifts in New York City

Do your holiday shopping the old-fashioned way—in person.

Online shopping has its benefits, but there’s something nice about going into a store, touching the item you want to buy, and then leaving with said item in hand. Instant gratification of this sort is especially sweet when frequenting any of these small businesses, because their wares are thoughtful and well-curated. For those of you not in New York City and its surrounding environs, never fear: most of these stores ship nation-wide.

Fredericks and Mae

While this design studio no longer has a storefront, their cheerful offerings are available on their website—a tightly-curated selection of design-forward pieces for the home. Yes, you’re likely familiar with the speckled, cheery cutting board and the cutlery that matches, but don’t sleep on their dominos sets, which are art objects in and of themselves.

Club Vintage

205 Front St, Manhattan

Mike Szpot courtesy of The Howard Hughes Corporation

If you had told one Dwell staffer that there would be a sick vintage clothing story in her alternately weird and desolate neighborhood of the Historic South Street Seaport District, she would have stared at you blankly in disbelief. Come for the spare, well-decorated and shoppable interiors, and stay for the carefully curated clothing selection (as well as limited furniture selection). It’s not a place for deals deals deals, but with taste this good, you’ll see why.