’Tis the Season to Be Frugal

A neighborhood gift guide for the recession-minded shopper

By Lorraine Duffy Merkl

“All I want for Christmas is my two front teeth.” If only that were atop the wish list of those with whom you usually exchange holiday gifts.
For some New Yorkers who are job-free, or those still working yet now budgeting their income more prudently, the only present they may be giving this year is perhaps the gift of laughter—as in, “Ha, ha, ha. You thought I could afford to get you something?”
However, if you are among the Manhattanites still planning on exchanging gifts, here are a few suggestions that may allow you to give without receiving an exorbitant credit card bill in January. (Remember, you’ll need actual cash for the doorman tips; see sidebar.)

Art For Us Studio, 1220 Lexington Ave. (betw. 82nd & 83rd streets), 212-861-2165
Yes, you can afford to give her jewelry for Christmas! Handblown glass gifts in eye-catching colors are at prices that will blow you away. Choose from an array of earrings ($10) and bracelets and necklaces ($15), plus cuff links, vases, picture frames, plates and figurines—all up to 50 percent off. Art For Us will prove you have an art for giving.

Feldmans IV Housewares, 1200 Lexington Ave. (betw. 81st & 82nd streets), 212-289-2026
In these times, who can afford a handyman? And who needs one when you’ve got a woman who knows her nuts from her bolts? Give her something that lets her show off her skills: Pretty Tools—Tools Designed with a Woman in Mind ($11.99). Floral-handled hammer, screwdriver, wrench, etc., in a pink toolbox. The store carries lots of other reasonably priced gifts among the basic housewares.

io e tu, 1582 First Ave. (betw. 82nd & 83rd streets), 212-794-1260
If you know a baby (sizes 0 to 6 years) who was born to be an international fashionista, this store offers a taste of abroad without asking you to part with too many “euros” (prices begin at $20). Besides clothing from mostly Italy and France, you’ll find accessories, books, puzzles and gifts, like ZOOCCHINIs— whimsical plush-stuffed animal characters that come in their own signature plastic buckets. The season’s big seller, though, is a lunchbox-sized backpack with animal prints. My favorite: a black cat on a pink background, wearing a black ribbon collar with silver charm ($33). Meow!

Infinity’s shiny foil totes come in green, red, silver, gold and fuchsia.

Bond No. 9, 897 Madison Ave. (at 73rd Street), 212-794-4480
New Yorkers can carry the scent of the city we love. Fragrances for women and men, all named after the areas of New York City: Chinatown, Little Italy, West Broadway, Bleecker Street and New Haarlem, to name a few. Although the 3.4-ounce bottles are pricey, the pocket sprays are $45. Who knows, a little spritz of “Wall Street” could make your special someone feel like a high roller once again.

Lilly Pulitzer 1020 Madison Ave. (betw. 78th and 79th streets), 212-744-4620
Know someone who longs to belong in the world of pink and green? If the breezy and beautiful clothes are out of your price range, consider Lilly’s gifts, which are quite reasonable. Coffee mugs, stationery sets, ballpoint pens and picture frames are all below $20. I have my eye on the palm tree travel mug ($15.95). Keep in mind: A little Lilly is better than none at all.

Infinity, 1116 Madison Ave. (at 83rd Street), 212-517-4232
If your little “Miley Cyrus” lives to sparkle, you’ll think you’ve died and gone to rhinestone heaven. Infinity is the first and last word on tween trends and gifts, although the store also caters to kids and adults. Check out a wide range of au courant items at various price points, but the shiny, foil tote ($16)—in green, red, silver, gold or fuchsia—will prove you may be frugal, but can still afford to give what’s fashionable.

Give the gift of a nice, close shave from The Art of Shaving.

Promises Fulfilled, 1592 Second Ave. (betw. 82nd & 83rd streets), 212-472-1600
A neighborhood staple for more than 19 years, this store knows how to make high-quality toys and children’s gifts even more special: They personalize everything. You’ll also love the personal attention the staff offers. I long to be 5 again so I could rock out with the bright red (also available in pink) microphone and stand for $55. I can just see my name emblazoned across the base (and hear the crowds cheering).

Calling All Pets, 1590 York Ave. (at 84th Street), 212-249-PETS
Yes, you can still gift your dogs and cats without taking a “bite” out of your budget. Dog-bone-shaped placemats, handmade by Celine, start at $15.99 and Catnip sleeping mats are $17.99. The store also stocks pet necessities, as well as luxuries, like handmade dog coats. There was one in camel hair that I wish would fit me.

The Empire Shoe Repairing, 991 Lexington Ave., 212-744-1257
Can’t afford to buy your favorite fashion plate a pair of $800 Christian Louboutin shoes? Well, you can afford to buy her the red soles that are the designer’s trademark. For $28, this shoemaker will resole any pair of shoes in red. Ooh, la la.

Anna Belén, 834 Lexington Ave. (at 63rd Street), 212-715-0417
This brand-new store can only be described as Claire’s for grownups. The jewelry and hair accessories are sophisticated, fun and faux, from $3 headbands to $300 tiaras. After you pick up something for everyone else on your list, you will not want to leave without purchasing a veiled, mini top hat hairclip ($24.90) to complete your New Year’s Eve outfit—think the classic top hat-and-tails shot of Marlene Dietrich in Morocco.

The Art of Shaving, 141 E. 62nd St. (at Lexington Avenue), 212-317-8436
Know someone looking for a job? Help make him look his very best with a nice, close shave. This store actually has a recession special: “The Power Shaver” gift set, which includes the most technologically advanced razor, battery, plus the four elements of the perfect shave: pre-shave, shaving brush, shave cream and after shave ($150). If this “shaves” too much off your finances, the store carries a set that includes only the four elements for $25. Very smooth choice.

Alex & Lorenzo, 450 E. 78th St. (betw. First and York avenues), 212-288-1920
This intimate shop is the place for one-of-a-kind gifts and home accessories. Prices range from $10 to $1,500, but there are quite a number of charming novelties priced at less than $25. Besides Christmas/Hanukah presents, there are plenty of hostess gifts to make an impression at any holiday party, like the wine stopper/candle combination (set of six for $22). Guarantees future invites.

Bookberries, 983 Lexington Ave. (at 71st Street), 212-794-9400
At this neighborhood bookstore, customers are willing to forgo the discount card savings and ability to buy a latte while they browse in exchange for personal service, neighborhood delivery and special orders available the next day. To show your booklover how special he or she is, buy the books somewhere special—before the independent bookseller becomes as rare as the Gutenberg Bible of 1456.

Jan’s Hobby Shop, 1435 Lexington Ave. (betw. 93rd & 94th streets), 212-987-4765
Men love a good model—and not the kind you think. Planes, cars and boats ($8 to $208) that can take a few days or a year to build offer a true sense of pride when put on display. The store’s owner also builds and sells radio-controlled boats starting at $175 to sail on the pond in Central Park; already built display models start at $100. A reminder that even in these times, his ship can still come in.

Also, if you’ve got a friend whom you know has cut back on the little luxuries, such as mani/pedis, lattes or magazines, never underestimate the power of the gift certificate from her favorite local salon, a gift card from his coffee bar of choice or a year’s subscription to a much-missed monthly.
And now for comic relief in these pressed-for-cash times. You might want to drop by Ivanka Trump’s Madison Avenue jewelry store, as I did. After I tried on the $120,000 pair of dangly diamond earrings—which looked fabulous, if I do say so myself, and I might get to own them in my next life—I was shown a “more reasonable” piece, which was also the cheapest thing they had: a pair of earrings for $600. Rich people are such a hoot.
And the “Santa of the Upper East Side” award goes to Personal Training Institute (1690 Second Ave. at 87th Street, 212-410-0014), which is offering a FREE one-to-one personal training session with additional nutrition counseling. The institute has actual gift certificates to put in an envelope to give as a gift. Because it’s FREE you can afford to be generous—to others and yourself.

Tips For Recession Tipping

If only you could hand your apartment building’s staff lovely snow scene-covered cards that read “Happy Holidays,” with an added handwritten wish for a healthy 2010. This, however, is New York City, not Bedford Falls, so let’s talk Yuletide loot.
Although times are tough, if you have a doorman or are residing in a small building that the super runs like a well-oiled machine, consider skipping several visits to Starbucks and throw the dough to those who provide daily service. If you live in Jackie O’s former hood and boldfaced names are your neighbors, denying yourself a few dinners at Per Se should help.
As always, location, building size, luxury factor and seniority of the staff need to be taken into consideration.
This year though, because of the recession, you might be contemplating cutting in half the customary amounts of $50 per doormen, $100 for supers and $20 to $30 for handymen, porters and elevator operators—with a few bucks extra thrown in to the cards of the long-standing employees or those who go beyond the call. (FYI: The Fifth, Madison and Park workers usually start at $250.)
But first, consider this: Have their hours or the services they provide you been cut in half? Are they opening the door, signing for packages, hailing taxis or maintaining the building only half the time? Didn’t think so. These people make a difference in the quality of your everyday life.
All that being said, tipping is not about going bankrupt. So if you are absolutely strapped and just making the rent, consider this option: a thank you note with a token amount of cash if you can—which is better than nothing—to each staff member, with the promise that in the cross-your-fingers more prosperous New Year, you will make it up to them. This does not mean a bigger tip next holiday season; it means Christmas in July.
Because regardless of the economic climate, the staff remembers who’s been naughty and who’s been nice.
—LDM

Tweet This Post