Eidolon
Drop into this forties-inspired boutique to pick up Gentle Souls boots by Lisa Nading ($240). Thanks to rubber soles and rounded toes, they’re unbelievably comfortable; thanks to rich colors and leather, surprisingly fashionable.
233 Fifth Ave., nr. Carroll St.; 718-638-8194
Diana Kane
Pretty, sexy things for the modern mistress—homemade jewelry, flirty fragrances, luxurious bathrobes, and a flattering lace-edged camisole ($67) and panties ($39).
229B Fifth Ave., nr. Carroll St; 718-638-6520.
Scaredy Kat
Where to fillyour packaging needs: unique wrapping paper ($3.50) with patterns of vintage subway maps and wooden toys, plus offbeat boxed card sets ($10 to $16).
229 Fifth Ave., nr. President St.; 718-623-1839
Oak
Clothes for the guy who’s ready to move beyond Banana Republic. Try a Penguin dress shirt with Oriental square knots on the cuffs ($89) or a cashmere-and-lambskin scarf by Godspeed the Well-Dressed Man ($330).
668 President St., nr. Fifth Ave.; 718-857-2080
Matter
The avenue’s only modernist outpost is great for gifts people didn’t know they wanted, like Heather Dunbar’s funky Ultrasuede pillows with graffiti needlepoint (above; $325 to $450) or a Jason Miller antler chandelier (above; $1,500).
227 Fifth Ave., nr. President St.; 718-230-1150
Goldy + Mac
This smaller, cheaper version of Anthropologie is a good place to pick up something that will make a teenage girl feel grown-up—like a Kenzie sequined cami ($58).
219 Fifth Ave., nr. President St.; 718-230-5603
Something Else On Fifth
If you need something less risky to go with all the handcrafted and quirky gifts, stop here for brands like the North Face, Kenneth Cole, and Diesel.
208 Fifth Ave., at Union St.; 718-230-4063
Brooklyn Industries
The ubiquitous chain is a great place to find cold-weather city gear like waterproof laptop bags ($54) and warm down vests ($68).
206 Fifth Ave., at Union St.; 718-789-2764
Extraordinary
Not every store can boast “the largest tray collection in New York.” Tucked away are more gifty items like this Japanese rosewood stick vase (above; $160).
195 Fifth Ave., nr. Berkeley St.; 718-230-9503
Cog & Pearl
Repurposed materials put together in ingenious ways. A restored sixties telephone (above; $150) has a quaint, tinny ring. Quieter gifts include key fobs made from padlocks ($45) and teapots silk-screened with images of underwear models ($25 to $100).
190 Fifth Ave., at Sackett St.; 718-623-8200
Brooklyn Frame Works
This picture framer also has tasteful Japanese woodblock prints, like this mahogany-framed chrysanthemum ($210).
169 Fifth Ave., nr. Lincoln St.; 718-399-6613
Patrias
This Latin American folk-art store does a brisk holiday business in colorful tin ornaments ($2). But scan the walls for mirrors lined with Talavera tiles from Puebla, Mexico ($175).
167 Fifth Ave., nr. Lincoln St.; 718-857-9091
Romp
Sleek, tactile toys for designer babies, like this cute Swigg vinyl giraffe ($22).
145 Fifth Ave., nr. St. Johns Pl.; 718-230-4373
Flirt
For the fashionable control freak, get a gift certificate that lets the recipient choose skirt color, fabric, and style ($125). Ready-mades ($122) are also available.
93 Fifth Ave., nr. Park Pl.; 718-783-0364
Umkarna
Luisa Giugliano and her husband travel to the Far East several times a year to stock up on museum-quality antique textiles like this ralli quilt (above; $350), which would make a great wall hanging, bedspread, or even picnic blanket.
69 Fifth Ave., nr. St Marks Ave.; 718-398-5888
LuLu’s Cuts & Toys
Toys for budding indie kids—no corporate brands like Star Wars, and everything is meant to encourage creative play. Colorful Pixelblocks ($20 to $60), a kind of purist’s lego, will inspire them to build with the simplest blocks.
48 Fifth Ave., nr. Bergen St.; 718-832-3732
Clothier Bklyn
Head to the left wall for premium women’s denim that even your most fashionable friend might not know, like extravagantly embroidered Taverniti’s (or plain, above; $210).
44 Fifth Ave., nr. Bergen St.; 718-623-2444
La Vedette
A store for lovers of bold color: The racks are ablaze with knits, handbags, dresses, and pieces like a wool jacket from Plenty by Tracy Reese ($230).
43 Fifth Ave., nr. Bergen St.; 718-638-6090