When it comes to shopping for the holidays, nobody does it better than New York City. From the lights and sights to the magical window displays, December in New York is an immersive, festive experience.

But you don’t have to stick with the big department stores when doing your holiday shopping. In fact, some of the best gifts — from stocking stuffers to big-ticket items — can be found if you venture a bit off the beaten track…

Chinatown
If kitsch is what you’re looking for, Chinatown may just be the place for you. But while there’s plenty of knockoff brand-name clothing, sunglasses and watches to be had, there are some truly cute, memorable curios that will make the perfect gift.

There’s also an added bonus — a trip to Chinatown is never complete without sampling some of the incredible food being sold street-side.

Chelsea / Meatpacking District
While there are some bigger department stores in the Chelsea/Meatpacking District, it’s when you start hitting the designer shops that the truly great finds start to emerge. Stella McCartney, Alexander McQueen, and Christian Louboutin are just some of the high-end designers who have boutiques in the area.

Beyond killer clothes, there are plenty of gift options to be had in the area — from vintage posters to jewelry, art and beyond.

East Village
Long considered one of New York’s hippest districts, the East Village embodies Manhattan’s low-profile chic. While there are some trendy designers in the area — Huminska, Jill Anderson and others — the East Village is your go-to spot for vintage clothes, second-hand records, tattoos, costume jewelry and much more.

There’s plenty of vintage to be had in the East Village; a watchful eye will spot rare antiques, second-hand duds, throwback home décor and much more.

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