The Gift II
THINGS! We love THINGS!
Every year, one of the issues of New York Magazine I look forward to the most is the annual gift guide, its pages bursting with trinkets and doodads nobody really needs. It lets us indulge in wanting, chuckle at an object’s wackiness or contemplate its usefulness, all in a parade of what seems like endless color. As if to say here, look, THINGS! And we love THINGS! And if you’re me, you also love finding them for other people.
I had such fun doing a gift guide last year that I decided, hell, why not try it again?! My rule this time was that I couldn’t repeat any stores, and I didn’t want it all to be “New York” gifts, but real, cool things you can find from vendors based in the five boroughs. Everything on the list is $70 or under, and is probably reflective of what the inside of my brain looks like. Here we go!
Glitter and Concrete: A Cultural History of Drag in New York City, $32.99 at Book Culture
You’re going to have to deal with me putting my book on this list until I fall over and die. Buy it for your friends, educate your enemies, let the spread of drag history continue forever, leave no ho unlearned.
The Gilmore Lined Notebook, $30 at Greenwich Letterpress
I saw this at Greenwich Letterpress, an adorable shop in the West Village, while navigating amongst the basics and their white sneakers. To be fair, Greenwich Letterpress predates them all, and is a fun place for stationery, stickers, and more. The notebook caught my eye immediately, its bold colors calling to my soul. Hot Pink AND Indigo AND a hardback notebook? Pardon me while I fan myself. Plus, it’s blissfully absent of the word “Notebook,” one of my greatest pet peeves of all time.
Black Miss Kitty Cat Klock, $70 at A Shop of Things
I had learned about A Shop of Things–originally in Nashville, and now with a New York location! –from their cheeky rug selection. However, after a peruse I found this bananas clock I will not soon forget. Not just a classic tacky black kitty kat clock, but a lady kitty? Are you insane? Put it in front of my eyes forever so I can watch its batty little lashes and swingy tale accented by baby pearls around its neck. I am this cat.
Who Pushed Me? Zine, $25 at ZacThompsonArt.com
Zac Thompson is a recent Miss Manhattan Hangs Out subject, and they produced this zine of original photography with their partner, the showgirl DiDi Opulence. It features “40 pages of disposable camera pics from 2023 - 2024 all printed on newsprint. [It is] an intimate graphic novel documenting a year of love, transition, and joy during a time when trans and queer rights are constantly being attacked.” Buying art from living artists is a great way to spread joy (and coinage!) this holiday season. Speaking of…
An Original Photography Print from Yours Truly!, $50-$75 at ElyssaMaxxGoodman.com
Hello, ‘tis I, a living artist. I have images for sale on my website that chronicle my time spent amongst drag, dance, fashion and more. I can also assemble a collection of images for you to peruse based on your tastes and vibes of the moment, and from these you can choose your own archival print to purchase. All images are $100 off until 12/26!
The Beauty Bag, $40 at Julie Mollo
Good god, just cover it in glitter, slap a pair of red lips on it, and thrust it full-force into my life already! Julie Mollo, based in Brooklyn, is a once-upon-a-time popstar costume designer who now makes gleeful, glitterful goodies in a multitude of designs and sizes. This Beauty Bag spoke to me (I also just got one of her small pouches with lips on it that I’m currently using as a wallet…I’m really not that difficult a person to figure out). Swipe on a lip and some eyeliner and the face is here, darling! And on a yummy beauty bag that’s perfect for travel, no less.
Charcoal Limited-Edition Specialty Petite Candle, $32 at Apotheke Brooklyn
I’m obsessed with this candle in unreasonable ways. I love darker, smokier scents, and every time I see it, I stop and smell it, no matter where I am. One of these days I will just fucking buy it for myself, but that day hasn’t come yet. However, that shouldn’t stop you. This one’s all dressed up for the holidays in a ribbon box for gift-giving, but the scent also comes in a mini candle for $12 if you want something just for yourself.
The Rose Tattoo Original Poster, 1955, $45 at Posteritati
Tammy Tell Me True Original Poster, 1961, $40 at Posteritati
A thing I love about New York is that you can literally walk into a poster gallery (even though I’ve lived in New York 15 years, as a gal from suburban Fort Lauderdale, it’s still so wild to know such a thing exists) and get an original movie poster from 1955. Or even 1961 or 1972 or whatever year you want, maybe. And for under $100, or even under $50. Posteritati in downtown Manhattan is one of them, and Chisholm Larsson in Chelsea is another. I’m a big raging nerd for 1950s/1960s movie posters in particular, but you can also find everything from Broadway show cards to film festival posters to publicity film stills. These are just two that I found that I really loved, but there’s a host of others for all tastes and tribes.
Yuki & Daughters Black and White Cookie, $40 at Whitney Museum Gift Shop
Okay, okay, so I know I said there would be no “New York” gifts, but how could I pass up a hand sewn, stuffed black and white cookie? Made by the glorious Yuki & Daughters, based in Japan, this stuffed cookie is available at the Whitney Museum gift shop, and it’s so New York while still not beating you over the head. I can practically taste the glaze already.
Small Spumante Sparkling Wine Bottle Candle, $30 at John Derian
I could walk through John Derian looking at their food candles all day–steaks, cupcakes, an entire seafood platter–and frankly I encourage you to do the same. I chose the sparkling wine bottle, however, because it’s the season for celebrations, bubbly and all. And how often do you get to light an entire bottle on fire? It’s this wonderful blend between special and weird that will match anyone’s home while also tickling their fancy.
Anatomical Heart Necklace on a Gold Brass Chain, $56 at Verameat
Long one of my favorite indie jewelry brands, Verameat’s designs incorporate everything from kitties to spines to humping bears, praise the good lord Jesus, and I wouldn’t have it any other way. Their anatomical heart necklace is the perfect blend of “I love you” and “I also recognize we are not just symbols you can easily draw on a notebook.” I love how it shows us that love is intricate and complicated, putting our humanity first, and to me this necklace embodies that (if you’ll forgive the pun).
“Let Me Do It For You” Cheese Grab Bag Box, $45 at C. Hesse Cheese
One of my greatest pleasures in the last two years or so was the time I stopped into C. Hesse Cheese in Bushwick for one of their cheese open houses, which happens about once a month. At these events, cheesemonger Caroline Hesse opens her studio for tastings and you can try all the cheese she has, not to mention glorious butter and even some wine if you’re so inclined. With this box, that experience gets shipped to your loved one, but with more surprises. Caroline does the picking from amongst her wares and ships them off. The choices are based on a survey you can take, and the cheeses weigh in at about one pound total. It’s a treat for your favorite cheese lover or even for yourself.