Holiday shopping is an exhilarating, stressful, budget-breaking, generosity inspiring whirlwind. Some start planning what to put under the tree the eve of Thanksgiving while others wait until the shops close right before Santa boards his sleigh. Shopping in a group or solo is a highly personal choice—do you want to be influenced by friends’ purchases or weighed down by their shopping bags? Luckily, Holiday Shopping doesn’t have to be quite so painful, and can actually be a little bit fun, with the wide variety of boutiques, specialty shops, and artisans who call Park Slope home. Plan your shopping strategically, enjoy the neighborhood, and don’t forget to get a little something for yourself.
Here’s your ultimate, most efficient Park Slope Holiday shopping strategy.
Holiday Meal Planning
Planning a holiday meal can be one of the most stressful parts of the season! But with tasty, local goods you can pick up everything you need and impress your guests with all of the delicacies Park Slope has to offer.
Pick up over fifteen varieties of oysters at Grand Central Oyster Bar Market (254 Fifth Ave). If shucking isn’t your thing, you can choose from gourmet pre-prepared seafood like clams orgenato and clam chowder. Pick up a loaf of fresh bread and supplement with artisanal oils and olives to nosh on from O Live Brooklyn (140 Fifth Ave). Grab a charcuterie platter from Russo’s Italian Deli (312 Fifth Ave) and don’t forget a ball of their signature mozzarella.
Produce can be gathered from Mr. Lime Fruit & Vegetables (313 7th Ave), but anything you forget or don’t catch on the first run can be delivered by online farmers market Good Eggs. Stop into Cousin John’s Bakery (70 Seventh Ave) to pick up some sweets for dessert, and be sure to serve them with a dark blend from Gorilla Coffee (97 Fifth Ave). For some more classic French pastries, pick up croissants from Graine de Paris (272 Flatbush) and prepare a little breakfast bag for dinner guests to take home.
Decorating & Gift Wrap
Artist & Craftsman Supply (307 Second St) should be your one-stop shop for all your holiday decorations, gift-wrap, and cards. If you want to try your hand at making gifts—knitting a scarf or painting a portrait—this is the place to get inspired! And perhaps get some much-needed advice on how much glitter to use on handmade cards.
Presents
Finding the right present is easily the hardest, if not the most rewarding, part of holiday shopping! You could spend months preparing and planning, but plenty of Park Slope shops will help you shop efficiently for what is sure to be the perfect gift.
For the culinary lover, get a special tea blend from Teaus (85 Fifth Ave) or grab some decadent sweets from The Chocolate Room (86 Fifth Ave).
For the fashionista, pick up a snazzy vintage item at the new location of Eleven Consignment Boutique (70 Fifth Ave). Think Louis Vuitton bags, Hermes scarves, and plenty of cool jewelry. Petrune (233 Fifth Ave) is also a great spot for luxury vintage finds. For fans of trendy, new styles, boutique Blok Hill (103 Seventh Ave) stocks plenty of fashionable women’s wear. Stop into Teddy (202 Fifth Ave) for a more intimate, lingerie-style gift. Male sartorialists will enjoy a gift from The Gentleman’s Shop (458 Bergen Street), which also has a fine selection of women’s apparel.
For the reader, stop into PowerHouse on 8th (1111 Eighth Ave) for a wide selection of kids books as well as adult literature and cookbooks.
For the person who has it all, stop into The Modern Chemist (191 Fourth Ave) for pampering supplies like bubble bath, aftershave, or scented candles.
For the creative kid, take her to the new location of The Painted Pot (200 Seventh Ave), where she can decorate her own creation and take home her artwork.
Booze
A holiday without booze is barely a holiday at all. Stock your wine cabinet and be a good guest by picking up a few bottles from Slope Cellars (736 Seventh Ave), Red White & Bubbly (211 Fifth Ave), Sterling Grapes and Grains (115 Fifth Ave), or Sip Fine Wine (67 Fifth Ave). Cheers!
