New York City is a major shopping destination 365 days of the year, but, around the holiday shopping season, The City That Never Sleeps is the perfect place to score all types of gifts for everyone on your list—with unique items offered at temporary, seasonal markets and high-end apparel and more at the city’s venerable department stores. Here, Michael Bordenick, concierge at The Surrey, with more than 19 years of experience, shares his top three picks for holiday shopping in NYC.
The Bank of America Winter Village at Bryant Park, essentially a winter wonderland in Midtown Manhattan, boasts more than 125 boutique-style shops, offering unique merchandise by an “amazing array of local and European artists,” Bordenick says. Eager shoppers can expect to find everything from apparel and jewelry to decorative goods and local foods at the many kiosks, which pepper the park’s tree-lined allées. “Winter Village also has a myriad of food and drink vendors to fortify you while shopping, and the ice rink adds a charming element to the entire experience.”
Across the East River, the indoor Winter Flea + Holiday Market–part of the Brooklyn Flea and located just off the borough’s Atlantic Avenue, is a great place to “get your vintage on,” Bordenick exclaims. Open Saturdays and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. thru March, local artists sell salvaged home goods, furniture, clothes, as well as handmade art from reclaimed items, at this festive bazaar. “Be sure to check out all of the food stands to get locally sourced stocking stuffers such as McClure’s Pickles and Sunny Bang Private Label Probiotic Hot Sauce,” Bordenick suggests.
For a tried-and-true shopping experience, a visit to one of Manhattan’s famed department stores is always a great option and “nothing says the holidays like a trip to Bloomingdale’s,” Bordenick says, adding that a trip to the fifth floor to buy New York-centric Christmas ornaments is a must. “Now with the addition of Magnolia Bakery on the first floor and David Burke on the 59th Street side, Bloomingdale’s is the perfect holiday shopping experience.”
