Occasion Station's Christmas Gift Ideas in NYC

1. HOW TO FIND THE PERFECT CHRISTMAS GIFT IN NYC (WITHOUT BLOWING YOUR BUDGET)

2. A CHRISTMAS WONDERLAND Ah, New York City. That magical Christmas paradise, where Miracle on 34th Street and Elf take place, and where ice skating in Central Park, roasted chestnuts, and the giant Rockefeller Center Christmas tree add to the city’s holiday spirit. It’s no wonder the city is known as the place to be during the holiday season. But if you live in New York City (and maybe even if you don’t), you also know its dirty little Christmas secret: It is dang expensive. Whether you want to skate at Rockefeller Center (for $35) or go to the Rockettes holiday show ($$$$) or just want to buy a loved one a nice gift, you should be planning to spend some serious cash. However, you are in luck because while we know how expensive NYC can be, we also know how to find the perfect Christmas gift there without blowing your budget. Want to know more? Read on to discover how to make your holiday dollars stretch in the Big Apple.

3. CHRISTMAS MARKETS Find the perfect Christmas gift affordably at the city’s many Christmas markets. Bloomingdale’s and Macy’s are fun to shop in, sure. But do you really want to pay more than $300 for a blouse, or more than $200 for a wallet? Yeah, we’d rather save our cash for a night out at the Barcade, too. Instead, consider heading to New York City’s many Christmas markets to find the perfect Christmas gift. You can find these markets in Union Square, Grand Central, Bryant Park, and Columbus Circle. They sell a wide variety of local, often handmade gifts for much less than you would find them in the department stores. Buy truffle sea salt or high end pet supplies at Union Square, a much more affordable blouse at Columbus Circle, or handmade jewelry at the Brooklyn Flea Market. Your loved ones never have to know how inexpensively you got these gifts (But your wallet will thank you).

4. CENTURY 21 Find the perfect Christmas gift (If you dare) with an adventure into Century 21. If you want the best deals on designer clothes so you can find the perfect Christmas gift this year, put on your grown up pants, channel your New Yorker attitude, and march yourself into Century 21. This spot is famous for its bargain basement prices on designer clothing (Most items are at least 40 percent off). However, this is not sophisticated Bloomingdales. The clothing is designer, but the atmosphere is much more…let’s say free for all. Hundreds of shoppers square off over piles of clothing. The cheapest finds go to the toughest customers. And it is awesome. Plan to spend the day; perfect your New Yorker toughness, and go get that perfect Christmas present at a steal.

5. ATTRACTIONS The perfect Christmas gift might just be a fun pass to NYC’s many attractions. The city that never sleeps has enough attractions to keep you up all night. But to visit each one individually will set you back quite a few pretty pennies. If you want your perfect Christmas gift to be a trip to some of your favorite NYC attractions, consider the cheaper alternative: A fun pass. These passes give you access to certain famous spots in the city for one flat fee. For example, you may be able to enjoy free access to places like Rockefeller Center, the Empire State Building observation deck, and the Statue of Liberty ferry. The right pass sets up your loved one for a fun day (or week) in the Big Apple with you. What you pay: $$ What you give to your friends and family: Priceless.

6. STOCKING STUFFERS Find the perfect Christmas gift in NYC stocking stuffers. Want to avoid the pricier big ticket items but still give your loved one’s the perfect Christmas gift? Consider a stocking, stuffed with special New York City treasures. That gorgeous skyline won’t fit under any tree, but it does make a beautiful ornament. A map of the NYC subway? On a keychain? Doesn’t get more New York than that. And you can’t go wrong with truffles from Myzel’s. Wrap them all up in a New York City themed stocking and give your loved one the perfect Christmas gift that packs a wow factor far beyond its modest price.

7. PERSONAL GIFT SHOPPING SERVICE Use a personal gift shopping service (Like us!). Of course, braving the New York City crowds to hunt down the best deals on the perfect Christmas gift isn’t for everyone. And everyone knows time is of the essence in NYC. If you don’t have a New York minute to spend shopping for the perfect affordable Christmas present, consider using a personal gift shopping service (We happen to know a good one, just sayin’). Our personal gift shopper will take your budget, and your Christmas list, and hit the town for you. Want to spend a few hundred per person? We got you covered. Have a tighter budget? We’ll track down the best deals on the perfect Christmas gift so you don’t have to. Plus, we can handle anyone on your list. Need a gift for your nephew? We’ll find it. Want the perfect gift for a couple? We have a few ideas up our sleeve. How about for the person who has everything. We’re pretty sure they don’t have the gifts we’ll be able to come up with. As an added bonus, we will wrap and ship the gift on time, every time. And that will earn you the spot of top gift giver among your friends and family, all while you have time to enjoy the holiday wonder of New York City yourself.

8. ABOUT THE AUTHOR Learn more at OccasionStation.com