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Holiday Shopping: Gifts From Off the Beaten Path in NYC

Time to think of presentsbe they for Christmas or Hanukah. New York City is a shopper's wonderland with museum shops, houseware emporiums, and specialty stores crammed with unusual goods, perfect for those seeking off-the-beaten-path presents. You can spend a lot or a little but there's sure to be something that will bring a smile to your intended recipientor yourself.

Jacques Torres

If your list includes either a child or a foodie, pick up a container of Jacques Torres hot chocolate mix, available in both classic or wicked flavor. The 18 oz tin yields enough to make 8-10 cups of the best chocolate on the planet, fully worth the $18 price tag. Orange-and-brown Jacques Torres shops are all over NYC; while checking out the Rockefeller Center tree, stop in at the Concourse Level at 30 Rockefeller Plaza. mrchocolate.com

Don't want to shell out thousands for a ticket to Hamilton? Honor the first Secretary of the Treasurer with a $15 Hamilton mug featuring The Man as shown on the $10 bill from the Museum Store at the New-York Historical Society, 170 Central Park West at 77th Street, nyhistory.org.

While there, consider the nifty Secret Message Writer set for ages 6 and up for $8.95.

Fishs Eddy Cats

A mug, glass or bowl featuring felines will cheer cat lovers. Available at Fishs Eddy, 889 Broadway at 19th Street, fishseddy.com. The mug is $15.95; the glass $8.00; both also in dog themes. A small dish that mimics an airline ticket is $16.95; study white dinner plates with colored rims are $9.95.

It's almost impossible to enter ABC Carpet & Home, 888 Broadway at 19th Street, without finding something you can't live without. From pieces of Indian altar textiles ($25 and way up) to Hansel & Gretel towels for little ones ($10-60) to a one-of-a-kind golden glazed pitcher crafted from hand-blown crystal ($300), merch here is unique and mostly lust-worthy. abchome.com

Cariloha by Brittni Willie

Instead of stuffing the stocking, give some to keep tootsies warm during winter. Cariloha, 637 Broadway near Bleecker Street, sells all manner of items made from bamboo which naturally repels odors and allergens and is planet-friendly as it grows at high speed. Knee length boot socks for women have a smart lattice design in brown or red; a trouser sock comes in many color options including yellow dot on blue ground, both $15. For guys there are nifty tee shirts like one in Rockwood Red featuring a beach scooter design that's degrees cooler than cotton at $34. cariloha.com

Startor add tosomeone's Pandora collection with the Essence bracelet in sterling silver with a 14K gold clasp, $325 or, for a special New York City look, there is silver and pave stones Big Apple Charm by Thomas Sabo, $45. Pandora and many other jewelry brands and options are available at Martinique Jewelers, in business since 1963 at 750 Seventh Ave., between 49th & 50th Streets. martiniquejewelers.com

S. Feldman Housewares, 1304 Madison Ave @ 92nd, Carnegie Hill's one-stop shop since 1929, is crammed with holiday-worthy goods. The Virtual Reality Headset looks like a best sellerconnect any modern smartphone, download one of hundreds of free VR apps, and voila, you are transported to a mesmerizing virtual world for a mere $24.99. To keep track of those pesky keys or your phone, the new version of the Chipolo item finder saves time and stress each day for $30. sfeldmanhousewares.com

Deluxe, purveyor of all things vintage on a sleek stretch of the Upper East Side, at 979 Lexington Avenue between 71 and 70 Streets, currently has a collection of eight martini glasses from the 1930, hand painted with a rooster, the original "cocktail" symbol for $485. A butterfly pin with mother -of-pearl wings that move when pinned to dress or sweater is $150. You have to visit to see the goods as everything is one of a kind.

You can't snaffle a much more unique gift than rubber stamps from Casey Rubber Stamp Store where you can snap up stamps to print snakes, skeletons, fruit, initials and anything else that crosses your mind. Stamps are made of real red rubber mounted on maple; there are designs for as little as $3 to 4 as well as custom stamps that can take a few days. Casey carries inkpads--regular, washable and self-inking, some types in thirty colors. 322 E. 11th St., between First & Second Avenues. caseyrubberstamps.com

A Teign Valley Glass sea spray vase captures the essence the South West of England, with inspiration from the surrounding moors and beaches. Each vases is signed with the studio name, makers mark and the title of the piece, available for $132 at the Shop at the Museum of Art and Design, 2 Columbus Circle. A special lady would love the small gold finish half-moon earrings, $78 while anyone would be captivated by the mini earthenware watermelon bowls complete with painted seeds for $32 each. thestore.madmuseum.org

About the Author

Mari S. Gold is a freelance writer whose work has been published in The New York Times, American Profile, Go Nomad, www.newyorkarts.com, Stratton Magazine, Go World Travel, and other outlets. A lifelong New Yorker and avid traveler, she also writes on food, theater, and other cultural events. Her blog, But I Digress…can be found at www.marigoldonline.net.

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