By Helaina Hovitz

Course Horse Classes on the UES
www.coursehorse.com, $5 off any class with code: LOVEYAMOM.
Has mom always talked about wanting to learn something new, but can’t seem to find the time? Take the initiative for her and treat her to a class—or five—through Course Horse, a new online database that features more than 25,000 classes citywide, many of which are on the Upper East Side. From a drawing class at the MET to a photo safari in Central Park and a class on pairing wine & cheese, all local classes earn you points through the site’s rewards system, which gives you discounts on future classes.

The Nail Place
791 Lexington Avenue 2nd Floor, 212-421-3434, thenailplacenyc.com, Jelly Pedicure $20 (reg. $26) or, Keratin Manicure and Jelly Pedicure for $35 (reg. $43) Be sure to mention New York Press!
As far as we know, The Nail Place is the only salon that’s ready for this jelly, cause they’re the only ones who have it. Aside from being, well, really squishy fun, the warm gelatin-like footbath is also infused with fragrant oils that soothe and relieve tired feet. Made of all natural ingredients, including ginseng and aloe vera extract, the jelly acts as both a hydration and exfoliating treatment that’s followed with fresh aloe (yes, the plant). Mom can choose from scents like watermelon, citrus and peppermint to spice up the caviar-like concoction. The Keratin Manicure softens and heals hands, but there is a downside: you’ll probably be the one washing the dishes that week.

Lenox Hill Florist
1140 Lexington Avenue, 212-744-1070, www.lenoxhillflorist.com, Arrangements starting at $75

There are a slew of florists on the Upper East Side, but this is one of the best. Top sellers for Mother’s Day are arrangements that “bring the garden indoors” by utilizing a vast array of flowers like lilacs, garden roses, peonies and hydrangeas. From orchids to colorful arrangements with over 80 stems, there’s something artful, beautiful and unique for every mom. No idea what to ask for? They’ll help you figure it out!

Brunch Buffet at The Park Room at the Helmsley Park Lane Hotel
36 Central Park South, 212-521-6200, www.helmsleyparklane.com, $70 adult, $35 for kids under 12

For the mom who can’t decide, or wants seconds…or thirds…this buffet is a high-class hit every year. The incredibly elegant but kid-friendly dining room overlooks Central Park and a pond right in the middle. Brunch fare includes hand-carved prime rib and clove-scented ham, shrimp cocktail, grilled free range chicken, broiled sole stuffed with crab meat, poached eggs Florentine, an array of imported cheeses, and much more! You’re going to need to walk off the decadent meal prepared by Sous Chef Michael Trimarchi, so take a long walk home through the park.

Satya Jewelry
946 Lexington Ave, 212-288-3292, www.satyajewelry.com
For the Zen mom who appreciates jewelry with a message, meaning, or mantra, the Mother’s Day Necklace Set gives twice, to both mother and daughter. The Hamsa symbol represents protection and blessings, the heart represents love and compassion, and the lotus is symbolic of new beginnings and infinite potential. Bonus: Satya, which means “truth” in Sanskrit, donates to children’s charities throughout the world. If you don’t have a girl to give the second necklace to, get mom the Thrive Necklace, which comes with a variety of different symbols, like the Tree of Life, which represents deep grounding and faith.

Mom’s Mouth Makeover: SmilesNY Cosmetic Dentistry
220 E. 63rd St, 212-752-6537, www.smilesny.com, $1,200 with touch-up trays to extend whitening, $750 without

We know it sounds unconventional, but if you want to see mom smile more and can afford to go big this year, get her an appointment with Dr. Chase. He’s the only dentist in NYC to have a Trios Dental Scanner. Busy moms won’t have to be in the dental chair for long, because the new technology captures 3,000 oral images in twenty minutes. The scan finds imperfections, chips, cracks, and customizes your whitening. Whitening results last 18-24 months without the touch up trays, depending on what you drink, which is perfect for the mom who loves red wine but has little time to spare.

There is no doubt that Valentine’s Day is met with anxiety and trepidation by New Yorkers hoping to do the night justice. For those budget-conscious romantics or for those of us who need a bit of inspiration, below is a list of some of the best Valentine’s Day buys, promotions and things to do Downtown.

A Laugh For Half
Psycho Therapy, Cherry Lane Theatre,
38 Commerce St. (at Bedford St.),
cherrylanetheatre.org; $36.
For any couple looking for a night full of laughter, the Cherry Lane Theatre is offering tickets to its current show, Psycho Therapy, at nearly half-price—they have reduced ticket prices from $66 to $36 through Valentine’s Day for anyone using the promo code GMPT35. Go and enjoy this humorous three-way love triangle!

For the Shoe Lover’s Soul
Camper, 125 Prince St. (at Wooster St.), camper.com.
If you’re searching for the perfect gift to accompany the chocolate on Valentine’s Day, why not buy your significant other a pair of fashionable heels or sneakers at Camper? They are offering sales ranging from 10 percent to as much as 40 percent off, which means you’ll make her—or him—happy without compromising your dinner reservations.

Build Trust for 23 Bucks
Dialogue in the Dark, South Street Seaport (at Pier 17), dialognyc.com; $23.50.
Every good relationship is built on a solid foundation of trust, so take your loved one on an exciting “blind” date. Patrons are guided through some of New York City’s most famous landmarks without their primary sense: sight! Your guide will be visually impaired and you’ll have a perfect excuse to cuddle up close as you try to navigate the Big Apple with touch, sound, smell and taste.

A Romantic “Summer“
Getaway in February
Openhouse Gallery Park, 201 Mulberry St. (betw. Kenmare & Spring Sts.), openhousegallery.org.
Anyone who has been waiting to marvel at the charm of this chic indoor park needn’t wait any longer. Adorned with fake grass and splendid backdrops, the Openhouse Gallery Park provides a warm atmosphere for a summer’s day picnic without the potential for discomfort that winter in New York may force upon your outdoor dining plans. Cuddle up with magazines, lunch, candles and some one-on-one time and see what’s new to do at the pop-up park.

Bargain V-Day Eats
Greenwich Grill & Sushi Azabu, 428 Greenwich St. (betw. Lincoln Hwy. & Vestry St.), greenwichgrill.com; $55.
Nebraska Steakhouse, 15 Stone St. (betw. Broadway & Broad St.), nebraskasteakhousenyc.com; $65.
If you haven’t already, now is the time to sample the delicious Italian-Sushi spot that earned Best New Sushi Restaurant from the New York Times in 2009. The northern Tribeca restaurant is offering a special Valentine’s Day prix fixe—a four-course meal plus coffee or tea for $55. If, however, you are looking for a different sort of cuisine, Nebraska Steakhouse is offering a similar prix fixe with a three-course offering and a bottle of wine. Nebraska offers an intimate atmosphere perfect for Valentine’s Day.

Fashionable Heart Finds
bit+piece, 246 Mott St. (betw. Prince & Houston Sts.), bit-piece.com.
Smart Valentine’s Day buys aren’t just found at candy stores and restaurants. Take advantage of the convenient overlap between this romantic holiday and the change in fashion seasons at bit+piece, which is offering as much as 80 percent off select items. You’ll be sure to find some great designer clothes for your partner, though much of their selection will cost you over $100.

An Excessively
Decadent Date
Trump SoHo, 264 Spring St. (at Varick St.), trumpsohohotel.com; $6,740.
Sometimes money is no obstacle. For those of you looking to put an exclamation point on your shock-and-awe campaign this Valentine’s Day, the Trump SoHo has your interests in mind. Their Valentine’s Day package includes a private skating lesson at Wollman Rink, couple’s spa therapy, a penthouse stay and more guaranteed perfection for the small price of $6,740 per night.

There is no doubt that Valentine’s Day is met with anxiety and trepidation by New Yorkers hoping to do the night justice. For those budget-conscious romantics or for those of us who need a bit of inspiration, below is a list of some of the best Valentine’s Day buys, promotions and things to do Downtown.

A Laugh For Half
Psycho Therapy, Cherry Lane Theatre,
38 Commerce St. (at Bedford St.),
cherrylanetheatre.org; $36.
For any couple looking for a night full of laughter, the Cherry Lane Theatre is offering tickets to its current show, Psycho Therapy, at nearly half-price—they have reduced ticket prices from $66 to $36 through Valentine’s Day for anyone using the promo code GMPT35. Go and enjoy this humorous three-way love triangle!

For the Shoe Lover’s Soul
Camper, 125 Prince St. (at Wooster St.), camper.com.
If you’re searching for the perfect gift to accompany the chocolate on Valentine’s Day, why not buy your significant other a pair of fashionable heels or sneakers at Camper? They are offering sales ranging from 10 percent to as much as 40 percent off, which means you’ll make her—or him—happy without compromising your dinner reservations.

Build Trust for 23 Bucks
Dialogue in the Dark, South Street Seaport (at Pier 17), dialognyc.com; $23.50.
Every good relationship is built on a solid foundation of trust, so take your loved one on an exciting “blind” date. Patrons are guided through some of New York City’s most famous landmarks without their primary sense: sight! Your guide will be visually impaired and you’ll have a perfect excuse to cuddle up close as you try to navigate the Big Apple with touch, sound, smell and taste.

A Romantic “Summer“
Getaway in February
Openhouse Gallery Park, 201 Mulberry St. (betw. Kenmare & Spring Sts.), openhousegallery.org.
Anyone who has been waiting to marvel at the charm of this chic indoor park needn’t wait any longer. Adorned with fake grass and splendid backdrops, the Openhouse Gallery Park provides a warm atmosphere for a summer’s day picnic without the potential for discomfort that winter in New York may force upon your outdoor dining plans. Cuddle up with magazines, lunch, candles and some one-on-one time and see what’s new to do at the pop-up park.

Bargain V-Day Eats
Greenwich Grill & Sushi Azabu, 428 Greenwich St. (betw. Lincoln Hwy. & Vestry St.), greenwichgrill.com; $55.
Nebraska Steakhouse, 15 Stone St. (betw. Broadway & Broad St.), nebraskasteakhousenyc.com; $65.
If you haven’t already, now is the time to sample the delicious Italian-Sushi spot that earned Best New Sushi Restaurant from the New York Times in 2009. The northern Tribeca restaurant is offering a special Valentine’s Day prix fixe—a four-course meal plus coffee or tea for $55. If, however, you are looking for a different sort of cuisine, Nebraska Steakhouse is offering a similar prix fixe with a three-course offering and a bottle of wine. Nebraska offers an intimate atmosphere perfect for Valentine’s Day.

Fashionable Heart Finds
bit+piece, 246 Mott St. (betw. Prince & Houston Sts.), bit-piece.com.
Smart Valentine’s Day buys aren’t just found at candy stores and restaurants. Take advantage of the convenient overlap between this romantic holiday and the change in fashion seasons at bit+piece, which is offering as much as 80 percent off select items. You’ll be sure to find some great designer clothes for your partner, though much of their selection will cost you over $100.

An Excessively
Decadent Date
Trump SoHo, 264 Spring St. (at Varick St.), trumpsohohotel.com; $6,740.
Sometimes money is no obstacle. For those of you looking to put an exclamation point on your shock-and-awe campaign this Valentine’s Day, the Trump SoHo has your interests in mind. Their Valentine’s Day package includes a private skating lesson at Wollman Rink, couple’s spa therapy, a penthouse stay and more guaranteed perfection for the small price of $6,740 per night.

Our ultimate guide to holiday presents from Downtown purveyors.

Scoping out the East Village for Holiday Gifts
Gifts for Those Likely to Chew the Stocking
The Wish List for the Playful Ones
Last-Minute Shopping Ideas on the Web

For an Iconolocastic Accessorizer
Reinerland Jewelry, 162 Allen St.
(betw. Rivington & Stanton Sts.),
646-418-9818, www.reinerland.com
Reinerland, the brainchild of husband-and-wife team Cristina Taranu and Reiner Mengesdorf, specializes in one-of-a-kind and custom jewelry with an ancient Roman inspiration. Offering everything from one-of-a-kind engagement rings to masculine rings, Tarau and Mengesdorf present it all on pieces of reclaimed materials such as driftwood salvaged from the East River. For prices, call or email the store.

For the Too-Cool Friend
Warby Parker, 295 Lafayette St.
Ste. 501 (at Houston St.),
www.warbyparker.com
Nothing says cool like a pair of slammin’ sunglasses—and none are cooler or chicer than Warby Parker’s. The very chichi store is an appointment-only affair (visit the website to schedule a visit), but it’s hard to argue with products like the Everett, the company’s signature shades priced at a very cool $95. Perfect for the perpetually hung-over friend who is tired of cracking H&M shades after a week.

For the World Traveler
TASCHEN Books, 107 Greene St. (betw. Prince & Spring Sts.), 212-226-2212,
www.taschen.com
Rather than dealing with the obviousness of cheap travel guides—or the wavering Wi-Fi one finds on foreign streets—this year, give the gift of classiness to your ocean-hopping friend with TASCHEN 4 Cities ($59.99), an easy-to-carry, 12-volume set of guides to London, Paris, Berlin and New York. Your friend may still look like a tourist, but he’ll be a very elegant one.

For the Manly Wine Drinker
Dean & Deluca, 560 Broadway (at Prince St.), 212-226-6800, www.deandeluca.com
In addition to the store’s café and high-end groceries, Dean & Deluca also offers some truly distinguished kitchen utensils—especially the Laguiole Stag Horn corkscrew with leather pouch ($140). Guaranteed to be one-of-a-kind—each corkscrew is made out of naturally shed stag’s horn—it’s the perfect gift to butch up a bottle of wine.

For a Well-Meaning Relative
Cursive New York, ABC Carpet & Home,
888 Broadway (betw. 18th & 19th Sts.), 646-602-3806, www.cursivenewyork.com
Cursive (which also has a location in Grand Central Station) offers a ton of fabulous home décor items and stationery, but don’t encourage your aunt to make you feel guilty by writing you letters on expensive paper to which you’ll never respond. Instead, replace her drugstore pump hand soap with a 16.9-oz. bottle of Savon de Marseille liquid soap ($27.50), available in a variety of scents. We recommend the grapefruit.

For the Big Spending New Yorker
Bond No. 9, 9 Bond St. (betw. Broadway & Lafayette Sts.), www.bondno9.com
On the Bond No. 9 website, the mission for their new collection is quite simple, “To restore artistry to perfumery and to mark every New York neighborhood with a scent of its own.” The widely known perfumer has met both of these goals with their line of scents for almost every nabe in NYC. Our favorites include Washington Square Park, a blend of geranium, tarragon and purple rose, whose bottle is decorated with a lavender-hued depiction of the park ($240 for 100ml, $180 for 50ml), and the refreshing Nouveau Bowery, a mix of lime, basil and wild lily to reflect the gentrifying nabe ($230 for 100ml, $160 for 50 ml).

For the Hopeless Sweet Tooth
Ladurée, 864 Madison Ave. (betw. 70th & 71st Sts.), 646-558-3157
Few desserts are as jam-packed with saccharine as macarons, and while the French will always have us beat in this culinary delight, Paris-based Ladurée opened their first international location in NYC this year. The macarons, at $2.70 a piece, are flown in daily from France. When it comes to sating your sweetie’s sweet tooth, few pastries can beat this crumb-licking treat.

For the Urban Explorer
Recreational Equipment Inc. (REI), 303 Lafayette St. (betw. E. Houston & Jersey Sts.),
www.rei.com
While in a store as expansive as REI—the Soho location is over 30,000 square feet—it can be difficult to narrow down your present to just one choice. But if your budget only allows for one big sports-themed purchase, we suggest Vibram’s FiveFinger shoes. Most likely you have already seen people at your gym or out on the street partaking in the trendy, colorful, flat, separated-toe footwear; to make sure your loved one isn’t left in the dust, pick up a pair (Vibram FiveFingers KomodoSport LS Multisport Shoes, $110) at REI.

For the Techie Who Has Everything
J&R Music and Computer World, 23 Park Row (at City Hall Park), www.jr.com
While J&R is a behemoth 300,000-square-foot complex of gadgets, music, software, housewares, office supplies and even musical instruments, the store is essentially a local success story, started in 1971 on Park Row by newlyweds Joe and Rachelle Friedman. While one can find the staples in electronic wares at J&R, the store still has merchandise to wow and amaze even the savviest techie. Our pick is one of J&R’s top sellers this holiday season, the ION iCADE Arcade Cabinet for the iPad ($99). The product magically turns your ordinary iPad into an old-fashioned arcade, complete with a joystick, buttons and a library of famous Atari games.

For Stocking Stuffers Under $10
Pearl River Mart, 477 Broadway (betw. Broome & Grand Sts.), pearlriver.com
While Pearl River Mart is certainly no longer a well-hidden gem, the store still offers some of the best prices on everything from clocks to lanterns. Some of the store’s best deals can be found in its ceramics section, with a wide selection of designed bowls (6-inch Magnolia bowl, $8.50, Fern Leaf bowl, $7.95). The wares in the store often have a touch from the past, like the Retro Square Wind Up Alarm Clock ($9.50), while other items just add a nice note to a room (Blue Flowers Printed Paper Lantern, $7.50).

It’s not at all too late to finish your shopping online, and you can often find great deals right from the comfort of your couch. Here are our top picks:

For the truly unique find
FredFlare.com
This quirky online shop sells such whimsical fare as LEGO Star Wars Mini-Figure Alarm Clocks ($44), available in Darth Vader, Storm Trooper, and Yoda. They specialize in useful but odd accessories and gadgets that somehow seem stylish and hip, like a beer making kit ($65) or the Holly GoNightly sleep mask ($15), modeled after the one Hepburn donned in Breakfast at Tiffany’s. They’re offering free UPS ground shipping with a $100 purchase if you use the code “bicycle,” and free shipping with a $25 purchase until 11:59 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 16 with code “zoom.”

For the no-brainer, stress-free choice
Amazon.com
You can’t go wrong with the mother of all online retailers. Amazon is offering its free super saver shipping for Christmas delivery through Thursday, Dec. 15, and offers more expensive options up through local express delivery on Christmas Eve (where available) to ensure that your procrastination goes unnoticed. The Kindle e-reader is a can’t-go-wrong pick, with a $79 model, and gift cards can be cashed in for anything under the sun. They even offer email and printable gift cards, so if you forgot someone on the list, Christmas morning isn’t too late.

For the fashionable last-minute gift
Net-a-porter.com
This fashion retail site stocks only the latest and greatest fashions, so while you should be prepared to drop a pretty penny, you’re sure to get a pretty purse, like the latest Chloé bag ($1,850), in exchange. Net-a-porter also offers editors’ picks, style advice and a carefully curated selection of luxury retail fashion items, so whether you want to deck someone out in a Lanvin wool felt cape (on sale, 30 percent off, for $2,404) or a simple pair of Aubin & Wills leather mittens ($175) you know you’ll satisfy the fashionista on your list. Plus, they offer free shipping!

For the “big” kid
It’s easy to get lost in all the adult sophistication of new technology. Check out these nostalgic cases to remind yourself to stay playful!
Etch A Sketch® iPhone Case by Headcase
$24.99, getaheadcase.com

For the astute accessorizer
This precious purse in a classic plaid is the perfect size for an urban kid’s winter essentials—mittens, tissues and chapstick!
Girl’s Plaid Purse by The Children’s Place
$9.95, childrensplace.com

For the eco-friendly entertainer
Add pizzazz to your mornings orange juice or afternoon snack time with this globalized, environmentally friendly set of glasses—a percentage of the proceeds goes to UNICEF.
“Our Future” Juice Set by Green Glass
$56, greenglass.com

For the charitable chef
Savor some sweet moments whipping up pancakes and noshing on gingerbread and biscotti with the fam. Plus, spread some holiday cheer—15 percent of every purchase goes to the charity of your choice.
Breakfast Gift Box by Baking for Good
$60, bakingforgood.com

For the littlest linguist
Give your children a head start at becoming little citizens of the world—they will learn over 180 words and phrases in a new language.
Spanish Deluxe Gift Set
by Little Pim
$84.95, littlepim.com

For the young glamour girl
This sweet wool party dress is the perfect combination of upscale chic and childlike whimsy—perfect for holiday occasions and dress-up days.
Bonaventura Dress by Sierra Julian
$145, sierrajulian.com

For holiday (s)hoppers
Your little ones can snuggle up with Babo the bunny while you unwind and pamper yourself with organic holiday soaps.
Babo Bunny Holiday Stocking Stuffer
by Babo Botanicals’
$18, babobotanicals.com

This holiday season, the dog days are most definitely not over.

According to a new AP-Petside.com poll, more than half of all pet owners will buy a gift for their pet this holiday season. And some pets may get more than one.Naresh Jessani, co-owner of New York Dog Spa & Hotel on the Upper East Side, said he often sees an increase in business around the holidays.

“Pets are part of the family,” said Jessani. “Pretty much everyone buys a Christmas gift for their pet and puts it under the tree.”

Jessani said many of his clients bring their pets in for holiday grooming.

“They want to deck their dogs out in Christmas gear,” said Jessani. “Reindeer antlers, jingly collars and Santa coats are popular.”

Sandy Robins, a pet lifestyle expert based in California, said the economic recession shouldn’t put a stop to a pet’s holiday bliss.

“If people do have a little bit of extra money, they’re going to splurge on their kids,” she said. “Whether their kids have two legs or four legs.”

Robins said the market for holiday-themed pet gifts has exploded in the past five years. This year, she said, most people will tend toward more practical gifts.

“If you’re someone who goes for walks at night a lot,” she said, “maybe you’ll buy your pet a collar with a reflector or one that lights up. Your pet gets something new that is also functional.”

The trendiest pet gifts this year are puzzles, Robins added. She likened the puzzles to board games for adults, except that the pet doesn’t play against anyone and she gets a treat when she wins.

“Puzzles will keep the pet very, very busy,” she said. “They also offer great mental and physical stimulation.”

Holiday Pet Events
“Rosie’s Toy Drive.”
Not every dog or cat has such a fruitful holiday season—donate your pet’s gently used toys or purchase something new. All donations will go to Bideawee. The New York Dog Shop, 46 W. 73rd St., thenewyorkdogshop.com, 212-595-0800.

Holiday Adoption Extravaganza.
Not all pets have a home in which to celebrate the holidays. Two rescue organizations will host the two-day weekend event, where families can also take photos with one of the organization’s mascots: Santa Maddie, a 6-foot-tall miniature schnauzer. The Metropolitan Pavilion, 125 W. 18th St., 212-463-0200, Dec. 18-19.

By Amy Smith

Downtown New York is brimming with history and diversity, but few can compare to the tight-knit, funky community that resides in the East Village. From Bowery Lane to Alphabet City, this small pocket of our city is a cultural treasure trove, held together by a network of independent store owners who strive to keep the creative spirit alive. Whether you’re looking for a stiff drink or the perfect antique to add to your collection, the shops featured here—and those that didn’t make the list—all strive to keep the boho spirit alive. Not to mention that you’re sure to find something for everyone on your list this holiday season. Happy holidays and happy shopping.

Vera Meat
315 E. 9th St., 917-353-3885
Independent jewelry designer Vera Balyuria’s line of handcrafted, eco-conscious jewelry is not for the hemp-wearing hippie set. Coveted by the likes of Amy Sedaris and Miranda July, her quirky collection ranges from dinosaur claw rings to necklaces featuring a bust of the unofficial company mascot, Fred (a pint-sized French bulldog, of course). Vera Meat is carried in stores throughout the U.S. and Europe, but you can visit her flagship store (and Fred) at her East Village location.
Dinosaur Claw Hug Ring, $90-$120 (depending on material)

Obscura Antiques & Oddities
280 E. 10th St., 212-505-9251
The aptly named treasure trove has been an East Village staple for years. Owners Mike Zohn and Evan Michelson have amassed a collection of oddball items like no other. From shrunken heads to Victorian armor and crystal balls, you’re sure to find something to add to your weird aunt’s stocking this holiday season.
Obscura Souvenir T-shirt, $25


Enchantments
424 E. 9th St., 212-228-4394
Considered one of New York City’s largest “Witchcraft/Goddess supply stores,” Enchantments has something for the witch or wizard (or is it warlock?) in all of us. The incense and essential oils are the perfect addition to your Christmas list this season. Just remember, anything you do will come back to you threefold—at least, that’s what they told us in The Craft.
Custom candles, $28

Patricia Field NYC
302 Bowery, 212-966-4066
She caught your attention with Carrie Bradshaw’s seemingly endless assortment of designer duds, but Pat Field remains a staple of New York fashion with her flagship stop on Second Ave. A disco playground brimming with sequins, studs and sky-high platforms, there’s no way you’ll leave the shop empty-handed.
The “Carrie” necklace, $270

A-1 Records
439 E. 6th St., 212-473-2870
Chock full of everything from soul to hip-hop, A-1 Records is a one-stop shop for any music lover. With albums averaging $15 a pop, you’ll come out with something for everyone in your family—just don’t ask for the latest collection of Stravinsky or Schubert in this classical-free zone. I’m sure Dad won’t mind if you switch out Bach for the blues.

By Kimberly Lightbody

Pinpointing exactly what makes Bonnie Slotnick such a fascinating person is difficult. Her store, Bonnie Slotnick Cookbooks, is a miracle: a tiny shop of used cookbooks that has somehow survived the gentrification of the West Village. Her personality is warm and therapeutic, and encourages customers to spend hours sharing their life stories with her. Her own life story is itself captivating, a history of the West Village, modernization and change in microcosm.Slotnick evokes memories of a time when everything was peaceful and comforting and homey. Stepping into her store, a narrow, dusty space stacked with old books and knick-knacks, is like stepping into a different world.

Part of Slotnick’s charisma is her memory. She has an astonishing ability to recall quotes from 50 years ago, to describe scenes from her childhood in vivid detail. She still remembers the name of the librarian from her childhood library.

“It was a wonderful library that I still dream about, one of those old Carnegie libraries,” she said from the swivel chair behind her desk. “The children’s room was in the basement. I haven’t been back there in quite a while. But it haunts me.”

Sitting behind an enormous desktop computer, wrapped in a dark purple sweater and scarf, her voice takes on a dreamlike quality as she talks about her childhood in southern New Jersey. As soon as she could read, she said, she began scouring her parents’ book collection, hiking herself up onto the kitchen counter to look at her mother’s cookbooks. She still remembers one in particular, The Settlement Cookbook, by Mrs. Simon Kander.

“There’s a recipe in there for a flour ball. I’ll never forget—I was so fascinated with it,” she said. “And then there was one for beef tea, for someone who is frail. The book has an entire section dedicated to invalid recipes, for people who are sick or weak.”

Slotnick’s passion for cookbooks, however, doesn’t stem from a love of cooking, but a love of history. She is drawn by the stories behind recipes, by the way that old cookbooks can paint a picture of different time periods. When she was 9, she found a copy of Emily Post’s Etiquette, the 1922 book that details how members of high society should behave. She was enthralled.

“We lived in a split-level house on a little piece of property, and then all of a sudden I’m in here, reading about how to present the breakfast menu when people are staying with you in your country house,” she said. “I used to stretch out under the dining room table and read it.”

It was a different book, however, that turned Bonnie onto cookbooks—a small, pocket-sized booklet from World War II called Good Ideas. Inside were hundreds of short recipes and housekeeping tips meant to help the reader endure rationing during the war. This was what attracted Slotnick; she loved to read recipes that began with phrases like, “If you’re lucky enough to find this sweetened canned milk…” Now the booklet is brown and the binding is long gone, worn down from over 50 years of handling. It sits on Slotnick’s desk in a plastic case, with a label that reads, “Our Founder.”

Slotnick interrupted her reminiscences to assist Elaine, a customer in her thirties who has been searching for cookbooks from the early 1900s. As she pays for her purchases, Elaine tells Slotnick how comforting the store is, something Slotnick has heard before. On Sept. 13, 2001, lots of people came in and spent hours just reading through books. It made them feel better.

Elaine had only come into the store to buy one book. She’s leaving with three.

“Not that I have the time to make all of these things, but I just like reading through them,” she said. “Before I go to sleep I like to read them. It’s very relaxing.”

Slotnick laughed. Many of her customers admit to reading cookbooks in bed, for enjoyment rather than practical purposes. She, too, reads the cookbooks for pleasure.

“Before the turn of the century, the whole recipe was written as a narrative,” she said. “And I just find that I can read those like a narrative.”

There’s also the historical aspect: cookbooks are like family Bibles, Slotnick said. She scans a shelf for a moment before pulling down Miss Parloa’s New Cook Book and Marketing Guide by Maria Parloa, printed in 1880. Slotnick flipped through a few pages before she found what she was looking for—a pressed flower that was in the book when she bought it.

“You don’t get that in your Kindle!” she said with a laugh.

West 70th to 80th
Decorate your little city tree with tiny colored balls ($5) in gold, silver, red and green, and mini Kurt S. Adler tree lights ($7) at Paper House (at 72nd Street). This is the place for silky ribbon in super slim ($6), medium ($11) and wide ($16) widths. You’ll also find foldable white cardboard boxes for homemade cookie gifts (4-inch boxes for 79 cents; 6-inch boxes for $1.49).
Amaryllis Florist (betw. 72nd and 73rd streets) has gargantuan pinecones ($8) in silver buckets out front, along with dense golden mums ($8). Nearby Daisy (betw. 73rd and 74th streets) is a sweet spot with unusual finds like salmon or yellow-orange brassica ($10), a plant with humble cabbage roots that has the beauty of a tousled rose.
Pour (at 75th Street) is a pristine, relatively new wine shop run by local couple H. Tres Meyer and Christine Beattie. Plop down with your shopping bags on their retro orange vinyl seat, peruse the wine mags and chat with cheery sommeliers. While you’ll pay more at Pour, they’ll call up that “great red you bought a few months ago” on their database, invite you to free wine and food tastings and teach you a thing or two about vino. Although Manta Sauvignon Blanc ($10) “flew off the shelves,” the bubbly Mexican Gruet ($21) enticed me.

Balls for every sport from West Side Kids. Photo by Andrew Schwartz

Gotham Gardens (betw. 75th and 76th streets) is a hodge-podge of furniture, books, candles and gnarly dark-green plants that evoke Miss Havisham’s lair. Laid-back owner Kevin Esteban said the Paper Whites in wooden boxes ($60) make fine holiday gifts.
While Gail Freda, owner of Willow (at 77th Street), makes customers wait to be buzzed in, she scoffs amusingly at the pretentiousness of the in-coming Harrison luxury condo across the street, saying “the doormen wear white gloves,” and “They want you to live like Hannah and Her Sisters!” She calls her shop “a West Side thing”—like Broadway’s Liberty House—“eclectic, arty.” Bon Bon’s silk slippers ($45) are indeed a “West Side thing” with their mix of elegance, comfort and get-real humor. Guys come in at holiday time and buy four necklaces at once because, “It worked last year.” I’d opt for the stylish red Taxi Wallet ($49) myself.
Posies (betw. 77th and 78th streets) has an adorable French storefront and features fat flower bouquets ($25 to $40). But I was taken with the unusual curly willow ($13), with its twisty, soft caramel-colored sticks that spin upward like hope. And you can’t go wrong with African violets ($7).
More & More Antiques (at 78th Street) is more about tchotchkes. Tasteful retro gifts include a jaw harp ($4), ex-libris gummed sticker packets from Saturn Press ($10) and mechanical paper dragon kits ($11). This is the place to send your tween or teen to buy affordable gifts for friends.
Michael Rosenberg’s Granny Made (betw. 78th and 79th streets) is thriving, thanks to a shift in emphasis from women’s to children’s clothing. The zipper-front, cable-knit sweater ($68) was inspired by Rosenberg’s own granny (sweaters are now knit in Peru). Plush ABC wall hangings ($45) are the store’s best-selling baby gifts.

Salmon or yellow-orange brassica can be found at Daisy. Photo by Andrew Schwartz

Robert Moses virtually wiped out mom-and-pop-land south of 70th Street, but it’s worth walking to ship-shape Furry Paws (at 66th Street) to pick up a Hair Buster Sticky Roller ($5) and bring order to your cat lover’s shirt.
West 80th to 90th
Bless Cardeology’s (betw. 81st and 82nd streets) neon red heart for keeping us in cards for more than 20 years. “Cards don’t pay the rent,” though, according to manager Steve. A loyal clientele pays the rent by indulging in Frasier Fir Thyme Candles ($27), Lake Champlain Peanut Butter Chocolates ($12) and assorted body products.
Warning: Don’t take kids to Avventura (betw. 82nd and 83rd streets). The boutique’s exquisite high-end art glass and ceramic collection is pricey and breakable, but so very alluring. My neighbors collected their wedding set over many years, cup by cup, plate by plate.
I will be back for the cotton Kurti tops ($32) at Tibet Bazaar (betw. 82nd and 83rd streets), as well as a small batik shoulder bag ($15) in rich blues and greens, or maybe the twisty beaded arm bracelets ($6) and wooden hair sticks ($5).
Five-year-old roam (betw. 83rd and 84th streets) is, hands-down, my favorite gift store on Amsterdam. Former college pals, now co-owners, Jenny and Sarah have organic, Asian, minimalist taste. They have lovingly put together a selection of ready-to-go gifts, like vases in linen boxes ($20), soap by Lafco wrapped in beautiful, design-y paper ($14), Snow & Graham birthday calendars ($16) and wooden snowflake ornaments ($4).
Playmobil, Lego, lifelike cooking equipment and fairy princess costumes: It must be West Side Kids (at 84th Street). This jam-packed store, I have learned with my own child, is organized from left to right, from birth to about age 12. Balls are in back: footballs ($10 to $17), bouncy baseballs ($3), soccer balls ($15), juggling balls ($7) and The Magic 8 Ball ($10)—for predicting which elementary school your kid will get into.
It’s the long, wavy sushi plates ($18) I like at do-it-yourself ceramic shop Make (betw. 84th and 85th streets), and the odd-shaped bowl with a chopstick hole ($16) and the tiny square plates ($10). But I could almost go for the tacky ceramic cell phone ($16).
Saby’s baby socks shoes ($30 for seven pairs) are socks that look like shoes. They come in a triangle gift box at A Time for Children (betw. 84th and 85th streets), where high schoolers do six-month internships to learn about retail and 100 percent of profits go to the Children’s Aid Society.
“Our big thing is sturgeon and nova,” they tell me at Barney Greengrass (betw. 85th and 86th streets). Too bad one can’t purchase the ambience in this 101-year-old store: high ceilings, a mess of receipts on the counter, guys in aprons who look frozen in time. By all means, order your sturgeon ($30 per half pound), nova ($18 per half pound) and lox ($18 per half pound) here.

West 90th to 100th
Shop at 20-year-old Gold Leaf (betw. 90th and 91st streets) to pick up doodads by the door and notepads, like the flip-up Galison brand ($3), with “Little Blue Birds” and “Leaf Garden” designs. Next to the counter, find Mag Dots ($9), tiny powerful magnets in a variety of shapes, and Travel Games ($5), such as backgammon and chess. Along the back wall are pushpins with round, natural, wooden heads ($4), snail tape dispensers ($21) and jumbo paper clips ($4).
Upper 90 + Sport (at 94th Street) cleverly refers to its location as well as a top corner goal kick. It serves West Side soccer kids and others who used to have to schlep all the way over to First Avenue for customized jerseys ($15 to $25), cones, balls, gloves and socks. The Cleatskin ($25) is a nifty item to prevent cleat studs from wearing down on the pavement. A big seller (“We sold 200 in a couple months”) is the Soccer Pal ($15), a device that lets you practice juggling with the ball on a leash.

Ex-libris gummed sticker packets from More & More Antiques. Photo by Andrew Schwartz

Two-year-old Little Shop of Crafts (betw. 94th and 95th streets) has a selection of beads and ceramic gifts ($14 to $61). But the long-term gift to your child would be a slot in the sophisticated Arts in Action art classes that take place in the back room. ($45+ per class, not including materials and registration fee.)
At Albee Baby (at 95th Street), a family-owned store since 1933, parents pour over strollers like they’re shopping for Jaguars. A sign of the H1N1 flu times, perhaps, is the popularity of Dapple brand items: The Grime Fighter ($7), Hand Sanitizer ($6) and Toy and Surface Cleaner ($7).
Shelby the Hemp Mouse ($6) at Little Creatures (betw. 97th and 98th streets) is classier to have underfoot than the tacky colored mice that end up dust-covered under the bed. Feline Greenies snacks are good for kitty’s breath and teeth ($3)—and why not a rawhide bone ($8) for your canine companion?
C&S Hardware (betw. 98th and 99th streets) has Metlock 16-inch toolboxes ($17), personal mini-heaters ($30) and micro-fiber dust cloths ($4.49) in pale yellow, green and blue. The super-soft yellow polishing cloths ($3) with subtle red embroidery trim are a design classic and, therefore, an okay gift in my book.

West 100th to 110th
You’ll remember that Amsterdam is a truck route when you venture to the retail desert north of West 100th Street. Yet there are three reasons to push on.
At Champion Bicycles (betw. 103rd and 104th streets), owner Marcos Gratereaux, a Dominican Republic native, is an experienced bike racer and excellent mechanic. Bike tune-ups ($40) are cheaper in winter, he said, because, “We have time to do it.”
Yarntopia (at 108th Street) has an excellent selection of yarns and offers classes. Try Misti Chunky Alpaca ($15.50), Malabrigo ($13) or Claudia’s hand-painted sock yarn ($14) to make socks come holiday sit-around time.
Last but not least, Mugi Pottery (at 109th Street) is a two-decades-old shop/pottery classroom space currently co-owned by Margot Harwood and Outi Putkonen (who is fantastically patient with kids in her pottery classes). Outi’s cylindrical vases ($40) in pale striped blues/greens/yellows make nice gifts to hold flowers or wooden spoons.