Now, unless you want to pay a small fortune in shipping, it’s time to hit the bricks (and mortar) to buy your Hanukkah gifts(or maybe you are an obscenely organized Christmas shopper who doesn’t end up at CVS on Dec 24th roaming the aisles whispering “crap!” under your breath). So for all the small people on your list that you somehow forgot, or maybe that small person you would never forget, but have yet to find the illusive toy on her list (for my girl that would be “cookie toy,” “what is it,” I asked, she answered, “just write it.”), here are some suggestions. Sally forth, good parents and find those gifts, support those local businesses and remember, if you can’t find what you’re looking for, just pack the sub par gift in chocolate and slap bracelets and things will work out fine. The list below is my attempt at expanding my horizons beyond Little Things, Toy Space, Bubbles or Area Kids. Bring on the gelt!
Mini Jake Hipster baby emporium, our generation might make less then our parents, but we certainly know how to buy nicer stuff. Williamsberg.
Norman and Jules ‘cause twee never looked so good. If Domino Magazine still existed this is the store where they would outfit their dream nursery. Whether it’s Goose Grease’s peg ninjas or Eco Kids art supplies these toys are aesthetically satisfying while environmentally sound. Plus, a percentage of their profits are donated to the March of Dimes. North Slope.
Acorn This awesome place on Atlantic will make you want to redo your place a la Moonrise Kingdom. Our bunny night light from there maybe our most prized possession. Cobble Hill/Boerum Hill.
Play Kids This place is more than Lefferts Gardens’ answer to Little Things, as New York Magazine said, “Play Kids favors products that are ecofriendly or local . . . or both. Every item for kids under 1 year old is BPA-, phthalate-, and PVC-free. Thanks to daily programming that includes art and music workshops and story time, the store has become a gathering place for families looking to make new local friends.” Someone needs to invent the drop-off toy store, my girl could live at this place. Lefferts Gardens.
Kaleidoscope Educational toys, helpful staff and great holiday décor, make this neighborhood favorite worth the trek, plus then you can go to Century 21, get yourself a little something and hit Hinsch’s (old school diner and soda fountain) afterward for an egg cream. Bay Ridge.
Smoochie Baby At this clothing store you should buy your niece or nephew something spectacular, which will one day be handed down to your own kid. These designer dudes will inspire some sticker shock, but if a few generations can wear it, that might be worth the cost of three seemingly biodegradable outfits from Target. Williamsberg.
Flying Squirrel The coolest new and second hand clothing and toy store EVER. It is in this store you will realize that your era has passed and your child is now the cool one. You think, well, I’ve influenced them with my idiosyncratic tastes and wacky sense of humor. No, they have overcome those things and now it’s your turn to sit on the daddy couch and nod at fashion you don’t understand. Welcome to the next decade, invest in some good scotch. Greenpoint.
Pink Olive As if two of my favorite stores, Rare Device (RIP) and Clay Pot, had a baby. Home decor, hand made toys, baby clothes, jewelry and gifty things make this a good one-stop shopping locale. This is the kind of store that is perfect when you have no idea what to get for someone, just go in find something amazing you would get for yourself and then resist the urge to keep it. North Slope.
Hank and Jojo You may be a diehard fan of this brand, but they have more then their own label at this store. From all your Rainbow Loom supplies to their ever-popular tube socks for kids, from the wooden toys you want to the plastic crap they want, this place’s got you covered. Fort Greene.