East Village

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Exit 9
Sure, this tchotchke haven is crammed with kitsch, but if you dig deep, you can score humorous, whimsical gifts that are more thoughtful than a whoopee cushion. Thrill creative types with pinhole cameras ($28), 3-D drawing kits with glasses and stereoscopic paper ($7), and tiny decals of horses, birds and monkeys to personalize drinking glasses ($11). 64 Ave A between 4th and 5th Sts (212-228-0145); 127 Smith St between Dean and Pacific Sts, Boerum Hill, Brooklyn (718-422-7720)

Hannah Clark
Downtown ladies flock to this quaint and unconventional boutique for its bohemian, entirely handmade jewelry showcased in century-old display cases. Clark’s designs, which favor intricate detailing like braided accents and old-fashioned charms, are all forged in the back room. In addition to hand-engraved saint pendants ($115), 18-karat gold snake band rings with diamond eyes ($495) and oxidized silver sparrow earrings ($110), score Ashley Watson handbags recrafted from old leather jackets, hand-knit hats and scarves, and vintage cards. 60 E 4th St between Bowery and Second Ave (212-539-1970)

John Derian
World-famous for his eternally popular decoupage plates and platters depicting everything from turn-of-the-century love letters to mating donkeys (starting at about $48), Derian’s old-world-feeling shop is chock-full of great gifts like papier-mâché votive holders ($30), canvas totes printed with images of whales ($16), and Moroccan poufs in gold and hot pink ($225–$285). The adjacent dry-goods shop features a slew of covetable linens, such as delicately printed pillowcases from John Robshaw and imported suzanis. 6 E 2nd St between Bowery and Second Ave (212-677-3917)

Sons & Daughters
Do you know any go-green-or-go-home parents? If so, their tots can join the eco-revolution at owner Carin van der Donk’s kiddie-centric spot, which specializes in fair trade and organic loot. Socially conscious wares include cuddly bear-shaped rattles ($18), Indonesian drums for wee music makers ($30) and Bishopston Trading Company’s reversible A-line shift dresses ($45), sales of which benefit a small South Indian village. 35 Ave A between 2nd and 3rd Sts (212-253-7797)

Tiny Living
Those looking to maximize their home’s square footage will appreciate the scaled-down, cleverly designed products from this apartment-sized housewares boutique. Folding wine racks ($15); a minimalist’s kitchen appliance that combines a toaster oven, coffee maker and griddle into one small unit ($45); and pint-size bagless vacuums ($33) demonstrate that New Yorkers can live large even if their digs are Lilliputian. 125 E 7th St between First Ave and Ave A (212-228-2748)