Holiday Gift Guide: I Love New York
📍Upper East Side, NYC
Jacket || Feather Button-Down (Similar) || Jeans || Ballet Flats (Similar) || Similar Handbag || Earrings || Lip Color
Manhattan is always a good idea! Still, there’s something about the holiday season that makes it feel even more magical. People travel from all over to take advantage of the beautiful light display and holiday shopping. It’s that spirit that inspired my latest Holiday Gift Guide. Here are 12 gift ideas that scream I Love New York for the New Yorker that’s near or far.
Puzzle || Perfume || Candle || Baseball Cap || Matchbook Print || Sweater (Similar) || Ceramic Mug || Embroidered Pillow || Coaster Set || Tote Bag || Heels || Cookbook
New Yorker Puzzle
David’s Grandma absolutely loves a good jigsaw puzzle! She quite a collection in her home and it’s such a fun way to spend a few hours with loved ones. This puzzle comes directly from the covers of the New Yorker magazine and is just right picture for the holiday season. At under $30, it’s perfect if you need that one extra gift to put under the tree.
Bond No. 9 Perfume
What makes Bond No. 9 unique is that it’s the first and only niche New York fragrance company. It offers 16 different fragrances that are inspired by different neighborhoods found in the city. It’s hard to think of a better perfume to gift your loved one who loves everything about New York. My favorite is the Tribeca fragrance. With subtle notes of jasmine, cedar, and cacao, it’s a unique scent that I guarantee people will begin to notice.
Harlem Company Candle
I always love the opportunity to support well-loved and innovative woman-owned businesses. Harlem Candle Company checks all of the boxes. Founded in 2014, Teri Johnson planted herself in Harlem to learn about the neighborhood’s incredible past. An element of Harlem’s history inspires each scene from her collection. The Ellington candle, and its beautiful ceramic jar, get its name from the underground nightclubs found during Prohibition.
NYON Baseball Cap
New York Or Nowhere has long been a favorite amongst New Yorkers near and far. If you haven’t visited their SoHo boutique, it is wonderful! They have all types of hats, tees, and sweatshirts galore that are perfect for anyone who loves the city. I love this simple New York or Nowhere ‘dad’ hat for a great stocking stuffer or one last gift to put under the tree. It’s never been easier to represent the city you love.
Matchbook Print
Some of my most cherished New York memories occur at the Carlyle, drinking and socializing at Bemelmans Bar until late at night. It is an absolute icon and begs the thought, “if these walls could talk.” This framed print from Charles Ryan Clarke is a constant reminder of an unforgettable evening. With hundreds of options to choose from, I think a matchbook print always makes for a great gift.
Intarsia Sweater
One souvenir that I can’t say no to is a fun, intarsia sweater. You often see them for quintessential New England locations, like Newport or Vermont (I have both). Ellsworth and Ivey is a woman-owned business specializing in these fun sweaters with detailing that span the entire country. The cozy, cotton blend sweaters can be worn year-round, especially on a cool December New York day.
Ceramic Mug
You know you’re a New Yorker when you become a regular and the neighborhood coffee cart. The “We are Happy to Serve You” cup is iconic. If you can’t get your daily cup in person or just want to minimize your carbon footprint, this ceramic mug is just the ticket! It’s equal parts charming and practical.
Embroidered Pillow
Here’s one more needlepoint pick for good measure. Although Jonathan Adler’s style and influence span the world over, there’s something still very New York about his work. Case in point, this needlepoint pillow from his Jet Set Collection. It will help add a little pizzazz under the Christmas tree and is an excellent gift for anyone with a love for design.
Smathers & Branson Coaster Set
This needlepoint coaster set from Smathers & Branson has all the hits: the Statue of Liberty, Washington Square Arch, the Brooklyn Bridge, and (of course) the city skyline. This cute little stocking stuffer is sure to please, especially because it will fit in nearly every New York apartment.
Kate Spade Tote Bag
The secret to surviving a day in New York? Have an oversized tote bag for all of the essentials. Obviously, there are a few more steps than that, but the bag thing certainly helps. Recently, Kate Spade came out with the ‘I Love NY’ collaboration and I think it’s an instant icon. The Manhattan tote bag is an extremely versatile bag that will everything you need to conquer the city that never sleeps.
Slowglobe Heels
So, I’ve been daydreaming about these snow globe-inspired heels pretty much since I laid eyes on them. There’s something so wonderful and whimsical about them, and no one has perfected whimsical quite like Kate Spade. I’m not going to lie to you. These shoes obviously aren’t going to be an everyday kind of shoe or even one that I would wear if I knew I was doing a lot of walking. But, wearing them to a dinner party or on date night? Perfection!
Don Angie Cookbook
New York is a city of countless incredible restaurants. While the thought of eating out every meal is tempting, it’s not exactly practical or budget-friendly. Instead, give the gift of fine dining by passing along a cookbook from a favorite restaurant. With its Michelin-star distinction, Don Angie is considered one of the best Italian restaurants in the city. Their Italian American cookbook includes recipes for some of their most popular dishes, including their pinwheel pasta and their chrysanthemum Caesar salad. Never stress about this impossible reservation again!
Love from the Upper East Side,
Katie
Thanks for stopping by! To keep up with all things about my travels and style, be sure to visit throughout the week! Be sure to check out my exclusive adventures in NYC and New England.