Looking for a gift that captures New York? Here are 30 ideas, grouped by type, with tips on where to find them, especially at the city’s holiday markets.
Food Gifts
- Bagels and lox shipped from a classic Lower East Side appetizing shop.
- Black-and-white cookies from a neighborhood bakery.
- Cheesecake, New York’s signature dessert.
- Locally made chocolate and hot cocoa mixes.
- Hot sauces, honey and jams from makers at the Union Square market and Greenmarket.
- Specialty coffee beans from a Brooklyn roaster.
- A gift box from a famous food hall.
Art and Home
- Prints of New York neighborhoods and subway maps.
- Ceramics and candles from local makers.
- Vintage subway signs or reproductions from the New York Transit Museum shop.
- Skyline ornaments for the tree.
- Photography books of the city.
Books
- A New York novel or history from an independent bookstore.
- A children’s picture book set in the city.
- A New York cookbook.
Experiences
- Tickets to the Nutcracker or Rockettes.
- A Broadway show.
- Museum memberships (Met, MoMA, AMNH).
- A food tour.
- Skating sessions at Wollman Rink.
- A harbor cruise.
- A cooking class.
Fashion and Accessories
- Locally made knitwear from market vendors.
- Jewelry from Brooklyn designers.
- A classic New York tote bag.
- Leather goods from independent makers.
For Kids
- A model subway train.
- Toys from a classic New York toy store.
- A Santaland keepsake from Macy’s.
- An AMNH dinosaur kit.
Where to Find These Gifts
- Holiday markets: Union Square, Bryant Park, Grand Central and Brooklyn markets for handmade and local items.
- Museum shops: the Met, MoMA, the Natural History Museum and the Transit Museum shop for art, books and NYC-themed gifts.
- Bakeries and food halls: cheesecake, black-and-white cookies and bagels make memorable edible gifts.
- Independent bookstores: for New York novels, histories and photo books.
Gifts by Budget
Under $25
Black-and-white cookies, a subway-map ornament, a postcard set, a New York tote bag or a small art print.
$25–$75
A local hot sauce or chocolate set, a cookbook, a handmade ceramic mug or a pair of knit gloves from a market vendor.
$75 and Up
Show tickets, a museum membership, a food tour, handmade jewelry or a framed print.
Experience Gifts
For someone who has everything, give an experience: tickets to the Nutcracker or Rockettes, a skating session at Wollman Rink, or a holiday dinner.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a good New York gift?
Local food (bagels, cheesecake, black-and-white cookies), art prints, show tickets and items from local makers at the holiday markets are popular choices.
