16 ideas for holiday gifts that scream New York City

You’ve been hearing it for weeks, but now it’s actually true: The holidays are fast approaching. And if you’re reading this article, you probably want to give your loved ones something unique … something only the millions of people in New York City have access to … something truly Gotham-y.

Why not get your loved ones some special NYC tchotchkes? (That’s New Yorker for “gifts.”)

Below, we’ve compiled some gifts that positively scream — at the top of their lungs, like crazed carolers — "New York City." We got some help from Caroline Weaver, an expert on local shopping who owns a Greenwich Village business called The Locavore Variety Store.

Without further ado, here are some more hyperlocal, hyper-unique New York City gifts.

You may not be able to host SNL, but you can own a cue card from the show's cue card supervisor, Wally Feresten.

A personalized cue card from SNL’s cue card writer

Wally Feresten, a cue-card writer for Late Night with Seth Meyers and Saturday Night Live, says he can't sell you "Live from New York … it’s Saturday Night!” or other SNL catchphrases without running afoul of intellectual property law. However, you can purchase a personalized cue card of your own invention from the legend himself by going to his website. Wally says it’s best to order as early as possible because of postal backups this month. But if you make a request by Dec. 10, he says he can probably get it to you by Christmas (no guarantees).

Trash can pen holder from Only NY

What’s a better desk decoration than an official, iconic New York City trash can? The city is nothing without its trash, and these will be a fun addition to any workstation. Only NY has a wide variety of New York-themed gifts, from MTA lamps to (conflict alert!) a whole WNYC collection. (Gothamist and WNYC are owned by New York Public Radio.) Weaver does point out that if you’re looking for a truly local gift, you may also want to consider goods made in the city … and some of the items on this list have been imported. Such are the realities of our global economy.

Ceramics from Fishs Eddy

Weaver suggests going in person to Fishs Eddy in the Flatiron District. It’s a high-quality ceramics shop featuring dishware with elegant designs that will satisfy anyone from a restaurant chef to a dad looking for a nice coffee mug. In-person shopping is a necessity in this case because Fishs Eddy is so successful it doesn’t even need (or have) an online store. In addition to making their own products, Fishs Eddy acquires antique objects, so you might even walk out with a collectible.

Mure + Grand NYC sweater or NYC hair clip

Why not put a smile on the face of the fashionable person in your life by giving them a New York Puff cardigan from Mure + Grand? Or a fun New York Coffee Cup claw clip? If there’s one thing I know, it’s that claw clips are (back?) in. I have read this multiple places online.

A view from above the Panorama of the City of New York.

A (miniature) building in The Panorama

Another excellent suggestion from Weaver involves The Panorama at the Queens Museum, commissioned for the World’s Fair by everyone’s favorite power broker, Robert Moses. The miniature version of every single building in New York City is cool enough on its own, if slightly outdated — the cool gift part is that you can “purchase” one of the buildings for a loved one. Whether you want to commemorate a first date, a relative’s family home, or just want the thrill of pretending to own property in the city, claiming a building in The Panorama is a unique gift, and it even comes with a “deed”! When you buy a building, your money gets donated to the museum. Truly a win-win.

New York City subway mosaics

Speaking of official New York City gear, what if you could gift someone a piece of subway art? Or a mosaic made of the same materials used to repair the New York City subway mosaics? As you probably guessed from that setup, you can! Weaver highlighted Serpentile, which works with the MTA to restore and replace mosaic tiles in subway stations. It involves painstaking color-matching and delicate repair work. Many of their works are custom made. But for the purposes of gift-giving, you can just buy one of the mosaics at their Esty shop for the public transit fanatic or art-lover in your life.

World champion New York Liberty gear

It was always a foul! Right? Right. Commemorate the New York Liberty’s first-ever WNBA championship by purchasing some official gear. Whether you want Breanna Stewart socks or a WNBA champions hoodie, the online store has it all.

Pigeon doll from Mother Pigeon

If you’ve ever spent time in Union Square beyond trying to change trains, you may have noticed Mother Pigeon. Weaver highlighted her as a folk artist who — you’re not going to believe this — makes lifelike, plush pigeon sculptures. Once or twice a week she sets up in Union Square, lays out her wares and hangs out while real pigeons stumble around, confused by their doppelgangers. Those who can’t find her in person can purchase a pigeon on her website. Oh, AND she makes rats, if that’s more your thing.

For the cinephile in your life, gift the gift of seeing indie films at an arthouse theater.

Independent cinema membership

What are you even doing if you live in New York and aren’t a cinephile? Obviously your NY-based loved one will cherish and make excellent use of a membership to one of the city’s many fine independent cinemas. Gift a membership to Film Forum or Metrograph or IFC Center, most of which include discounted tickets and other perks, like discounts on merch and concessions. It's the definition of a gift that keeps on giving.

New York Theatre Workshop Membership

Do you know someone who looks down upon crass moving images, who believes live performance is the only kind of drama worthy of being called “art?” Well, you’re in luck: Instead of an independent theater membership, you can get them a membership to the New York Theatre Workshop. There’s a wide variety of options to choose from in terms of perks, but all come with multiple tickets, so theater-lovers will be able to see at least a few different productions.

Dry-aged steaks from Peter Luger

If this doesn’t embody “last-minute gift for older male relative I forgot to get something for,” then nothing does. The beauty is in the anticipation — you send the picture of the steaks … then the steaks come later. It’s like getting two gifts, kind of! Carnivores will shout for joy when they open a box of two bone-in, dry-aged rib steaks from the institution that is Peter Luger. The steaks even come with Peter Luger sauce, and you have the option of adding on bacon.

Pizza from Di Fara

Is there someone in your life you wish would have a heart attack? Combine the steak two-pack with pizza from Di Fara, and they’ll be well on their way. Di Fara will ship their iconic pies to anyone in the United States or Canada, which will magically sweep the recipient away to Midwood, Brooklyn. There’s a good selection of frozen pizzas available, too, including white pies, meat-lovers and vegetarian.

Key made out of subway token

Greenwich Locksmiths makes the ultimate piece of functional New York City nostalgia: keys with old subway tokens on the top. Before newfangled swipe cards ushered in the soulless modern era, tokens were the way New Yorkers got from A to B. Now, Philip Mortillaro fuses them to keys, and they have become a hot item at the locksmith (ever think you’d read that phrase?), going for $95 apiece.

Parks Department t-shirt

Give the tree-lover in your life a classy, timeless Parks Leaf T-shirt and they will love you forever – guaranteed (note: not actually guaranteed). If, for some reason, you prefer a city department other than Parks, you can check out the entire CityStore, which is actually a part of the city. All sales even go back toward city services, so buying from CityStore is also a way to support the place you know and love.

Jewelry from Oro Latino

When a jeweler is named “Tommy Jewels,” you know you’re getting some grade-A New York City authenticity. Oro Latino has a storefront on the Bowery, where Weaver says it has earned a reputation for selling accessories repping local sports teams. Get the Knicks or Mets fan in your life a gold chain, and they’ll be forever grateful.

A book about shopping local in NYC

You could also teach your loved ones to fish … for gifts … by getting them Caroline’s new book, "The Locavore Guide to Shopping NYC." Not only is it a comprehensive guide to hyperlocal shopping but it’s also printed in New York, too — truly the most layered of NYC local gifts.