Still stuck on what to buy your friends coworkers or Secret Santa? Here's some MORE fabulous ideas:

For the low-tech Gadgeteer

Ever wanted to listen to an Argentinian radio station? What about one from Ireland? Sydney? Maybe you just want to stick to your Taylor Swift and call it a day, but I'm sure your gadget hungry friend (or should we say "friend") would think you oh so thoughtful if you purchased the V-Tech Internet Radio for them. In three easy minutes of set-up, this lightweight device can be configured to find your wireless Internet signal, time zone and zip code and soon you will be browsing ANY radio station around the world. Not from NYC and have a yearning for home? Tune your Internet radio to the station you used to sing out loud to in your car and you won't feel so homesick anymore. You could also setup your favorites, access music on any computer hooked up to your network and easily find your weather report.

Small Gift for the Person You Feel Obligated to Buy For

Can't think of anything to get that random girlfriend of yours (that you might not really like that much)? How about the solution to her horrid chapped lips. She'll think you're a genius and you won't have to shell out a lot of cash. Softlips is offering holiday gift packs of their newest lip conditioners: Sugar & Spice, Winter Mint, Sugar Cookie, Sugar Plum Berry and Mint with a Hint of Vanilla. Individual sticks can be found at any drug store nationwide, but the gift pack is only available online and comes in a reusable pouch.



For Your Wine Aficiando -- or Wanna be

Wine can be tricky. If you just want to get drunk, you're fine with the three-buck Chuck from Trader Joe's, but what if your Aunt Margaret is coming over for dinner and you know she only drinks Merlot from California. Problem is, you don't touch that stuff and couldn't tell your region from your terroir. "Good, Better, Best Wines, A No-Nonsense Guide to Popular Wines" by Carolyn Evans Hammond is a handy-dandy guide to the best-selling wines in North American by price. Complete with pictures and descriptions about each wine and what food it pairs well with, this book is a great gift idea for the wannabe oenophile. It would also be a great collection to your library if you want to brush up on your wine list ordering skills.



For the Extreme DIY Buddy

This person in your circle IS Martha Stewart, hands down. They bake, they make Hallmark-worthy cards from scratch, hell... they could make a house out of match sticks. Give them the ultimate gift that gives back-- A Homemade Christmas. This book is choc-full of holiday DIY projects, recipes and gift ideas. And in these days of waste, it promises to be earth-friendly, can’t argue with that.

For the Bestie who Aspires to be the Mayor of Union Square

Think about it-- we New Yorkers, natives and transplants alike, will trek and schlep through Times Square, Herald’s Square, and Union Square-- knowing damn well that it’s crowded. But we cannot resist the beauty, the necessity and the life that runs through public squares. So what better gift than The Universe of Union Square: At the Heart of New York’s Progressive Soul, the book that documents the vibrant history and culture of one of NYC’s popular squares. Get it for your friend who cannot help but to eat, drink, shop or live in a “center of New York’s hustle and bustle.” For just under $30, they get 265 pages of beautifully documented history, pictures and interviews with city officials, activists and many others who made Union what it is today. Grab this at Barnes and Noble or your local bookstore and educate your bud a bit.



Gift for the Festive Sweet-tooth

Cookies make people happy, period. Make your foodie, boss, or co-worker smile with Biscoff cookies, “Europe’s favorite cookie with coffee!” These crispy, caramelized bits of holiday goodness are just 30 calories each and come in stocking-stuffer friendly tubes. Not only are they guiltless and adorably packaged, but come with an extra bit of holiday spirit-- Lotus bakeries donate 10% of each purchase to Teach for America (www.teachforamerica.org)! At $14.95 for SIX tubes (plus shipping), easily be the first on Santa’s nice list for 2011 with this holiday treat! Order online or request a catalog through www.biscoff.com.

89th and Broke reports that Gregory’s Coffee is asking its customers to bring in a handmade paper snowflake in exchange for a free small coffee.

They say Gregory's three locations are actually competing to see which store can get the most snowflakes! Your opportunity ends December 25th, also known as Christmas.

24^th and Park
39^th and 7^th
44^th and 6^th

Here's my attempt at a paper snowflake:


Here's an instructional video (with a punk twist) if you haven't made a craft since 4th grade:



--Katharine Ricci, NYCRD Executive Editor

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What oh what should you buy those bundles 'o joy? Here are some easy last minute ideas all available in stores across the city:

Gift for the Hello Kitty-head

Little Sarah could be Hello Kitty’s sales rep. It’s even hard for me to NOT buy out the Hello Kitty store in Times Square for myself (ahem). Please the Hello Kitty fan by scooping up the Hello Kitty Light up board at JC Penny or Toys R Us. It’s an upgrade from that gritty dry-erase board on the fridge to a nifty and attractive way to say “Do your homework!” or “Mom, I need $20!”

Perfect for the Seven-Year-Old Princess

She loves Cinderella. She loves the carriage. She wants a carriage. Sigh. Until you find the life-size pumpkin automobile, settle for Pippa’s Princess Carriage (Ravensburger). For $36.99, the fantasy is complete with fairy godmother, princess and horses! Even better, the carriage “clip-clops” when racing to the ball! Grab this online.
Get this for the 2 Year-Old with an Independent Streak

It is said necessity is the mother of invention. So it makes sense that parents Eileen and Ronnie Gesser created EZ socks, the “world’s first training socks for toddlers.” Why are they so special? Well, these socks have two loops, making it easy for little ones to pull socks up on their own, as well as non-skid bottoms to prevent slips and falls. And they’re offered in a variety of bright colors and animal designs-- my personal fave are the green frogs (darn you, women’s size 8 feet)! Get a pair online or find a NYC retailer at www.ezsox.com and make mommy, daddy and child happy for only $4.99 a pair :)



For Spot, Fluffly or Max

It’s time for Max to let go of that saliva-soaked, lord-knows-what stained teddy bear. Don’t schedule an appointment with the dog whisperer; buy your little buddy Heads n’ Tails, the cutest chew toy around. It’s bright, it’s blue, it can be dragged around the house... what more could your furry companion ask for?! And for $3.49, you’ll have money to spare for the super-sized bones at Petsmart or your fave pet store.


The 8-Year-Old Video Game Genius

Yes Virginia, there are educational, family-friendly video games. Thanks to a collaboration between Nintendo and Jumpstart, Knowledge Adventure offers a wonderful product line of educational games! For the dog or cat loving kid, get Pet Rescue-- it offers five worlds of discovery for preschoolers to look for lost pets and build upon reading, memory, creativity, motor skills and listening. Get Adventure Island for those looking for action; it makes little ones use their math, reading, and critical thinking skills to escape an island full of mystery! For the puzzle-lover, grab Hidden Objects. There’s over 150 puzzles to solve, and 1150 hidden objects to find.

Last but not least, grab the sure-win for family night: Get Moving. Get your sports battle-on with the kids and test your endurance (and sweat off some holiday calories)!

At $14.99-19.99 a pop, you can afford to entertain and stimulate the kids and yourself! Grab these online at shop.knowledgeadventure.com-- they’re offering FREE shipping!





--Jasmine Senaveratna, NYCRD Contributor

*These products were provided for review by their respective companies.

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For the Fashion Chic BFF

Let’s face it – Forever 21 and H&M jewelry is great when you’re in a pinch, but everyone has it. So if you’re looking for something glitzy for your fashionable bestie but don’t want to blow more than $30, look no further than Zirconmania. We had the chance to review two of their bracelets and they are gorg! One set even comes with a cute little bow.

[Two Rows Bezel - $21.00, Zirconmania.com]

Just for Miss Fitness

For the friend who runs circles around you while you nosh on bread, cheese and wine, give the gift she’s always wanted to try: Belly Dancing. Amira Mor Belly Dance Fitness offers a DVD called The ABC's of Belly Dancing: Mind Body and Soul. Now she can get her Jasmine Princess on.

[The ABC's of Belly Dancing: Mind Body and Soul - 45 minutes - $18.00]

For the Girly Girl

She’s all grown up, but her favorite color will always be pink! For the friend who loves all things girly and will always have a classic touch, pick up Barbie: a Rare Beauty. Written by international Barbie expert Sandi Holder, this hardcover coffee table book is chock full of colorful images that tells the story of iconic, legendary Barbie and all her friends. She’ll love feasting her eyes on 50 years of fabulous Barbie - I couldn’t put my copy down!

[Barbie: A Rare Beauty - $19.80 on sale, Amazon.com]

For the Hipster Grifter

For your hipster friend who shies away from convention but loves overpriced real estate in Williamsburg, pick up this Flaming Bookmark so they can get even more curious stares on the W or glares of envy on the L. While I got mine for free in a gift bag, at $.70, you won’t give a cheaper gift these holidays.

[Burning Bookmark - $.70 on sale, Gama-go.com]

For Your Mentors

I have a confession to make – my first Christmas, I bought everyone a street scarf. At $5 a pop, it was an easy solution to an entry level gift buying budget. This year I’m graduating from street scarves to FRAAS cashmink scarves. They’re not real cashmere, but shhhh, no one can tell! Perfect for your aunt, mom, grandmother or boss. It's affordable luxury, my dear.

[FRAAS cashmink scarfs - $17.00, Amazon.com]

For the Boy Toy

Instead of stealing internet from the neighbors, get your man CLEAR 4G, a new wireless internet router that he can synch up with his laptop and take anywhere in the city. It might be more expensive than “free” internet from the Smiths next door, but now he won’t get kicked off while he’s in the middle of that freelance graphic design project due on Monday. And he can work in the park.

[$25 - $55/month, clear.com]

-Katharine Ricci, NYCRD Executive Editor.

*These products were provided for review by their respective companies.

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• Get some last-minute shopping ideas from the NYCRD ’10 Gift Guide! The Wealthy Freelancer is perfect for the be-your-own-boss type. Click for info.

• CalNaturale wines and Svelte protein shakes (organic and sustainable) are great gifts for your health-conscious foodie friends. Or yourself! Click for info.

• This Wednesday, drink for a good cause: American Apothecary’s “Got Snow” benefit for Toys for Tots. There’s still time to RSVP! Click for info.

• Also on Wednesday, Bombay Palace in Midtown is hosting a free midday tasting of their signature Chicken Biryani. Click for info.

Take a break from last minute holiday shopping with a FREE tasting at Bombay Palace on Wednesday December 22nd! Just stop in at 30 W. 52nd Street from 12pm-3pm and enjoy their signature Chicken Biryani – a blend of chicken, flavorful spices and basmati rice.

Bring your friends who hate Indian food so you can make a meal of it.

Bombay Palace
Wednesday, December 22nd, 12- 3 pm
30 West 52nd Street
Between 5th & 6th Aves
(212) 541-7777
http://www.bombaypalacenyc.com/

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Today only Signpost is offering discounted Starbucks gift cards - $5 gift cards for $2! They're selling 10 of each on the hour. Click below to win at the appropriate times!

Click to win @11am!

Click to win @ 12pm!

Click to win @ 1pm!

Click to win @ 2pm!

Click to win @ 3pm!

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American Apothecary is one of the coolest new clothing company's I've seen in a while- mostly because they celebrity drugs of old and host open bar party's. What's extra lovely is this one serves a purpose - Toy's for Tots! See you there, friends.

American Apothecary

Cordially invites you to attend

“GOT SNOW?”

a charity benefit for

TOYS FOR TOTS

-Toy Drive-

Bring one unwrapped, unopened gift to donate to Toys for Tots

-Fashion/Music/Twitter/Cocktails/Hors d’oeuvres-

-Open Bar-

Wednesday December 22^nd, 2010

8:00pm-11:00pm

Bowery Wine Co. 13 East 1^st street New York, NY 10003

(between Bowery and 2^nd Avenue)

RSVP: Events@A-Apothecary.com

Please rsvp no later than 12:00 noon December 22nd, 2010

GIFT for the Under-employed Friend or Greedy Co-worker with Time to Kill

In order to help you find those special little "somethings" for favorite coworkers, secret santas, best friends, crazy aunts, the little sticky ones precious children, crotchety grandparents and back, we scoured the web for the unique, the fun and the affordable!

So each day for the rest of the week and creeping into next, we'll be featuring various top picks from our Christmas list, but if you'd like to check out the fabulous guide in it's entirety, you can click here or check out the GIFT GUIDE tab at the top starting tomorrow!

Happy hunting and good luck! May all your holiday dreams come true.

• Enjoy drinks and discounts at Tourneau’s holiday shopping event this Thursday, 12/16 at Columbus Circle. Click for info.
• Keep the party going with a 4 hour open bar and a VIP goody bag at TriBeCa Retail Club’s Holiday Bonanza Designer Event on Friday, 12/17. Click for info.
• Sleep easy with a free sample of Dream Water, the soporific soft drink! Click for info.
• Free shipping, free returns and 15% off from Dockers.com! Click for info.

Enjoy this special event on December 16! Drinks, discounted shopping and holiday cheer right in Columbus Circle at Tourneau.

CLICK HERE TO RSVP

Dream Water is designed to be alternative to sleeping pills, with the goal of easing you into restful sleep. NYCRD notes that a six-pack of beers will probably work the same way, but those looking to guard their liver should take up Dream Water on their Free Sample Offer and compare the effectiveness.

Looks like it's for Walmart, but if you don't live near a Walmart you can email coupons@drinkdreamwater.com for other places to redeem.


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