Holiday gift guide 2012: Gifts you can give to anyone

Take the guesswork out of gift-giving and use this gift guide to find presents that are sure to please anyone on your list.

Picking out unique gifts can be stressful, but this gift guide of universal presents makes the process easier. Picky parents, chatty coworkers and best friends alike will love mosaic-like journals from the New York Public Library, monogrammed stationery from Kate Spade, stylish scarves from Ann Taylor and more special gifts.


RECOMMENDED: Complete holiday gift guide


  • Holiday gift guide 2012

    Paperblanks Intricate Inlays Thai Gems journal, $15; and Intricate Inlays Mirror Vine journal, $13; both at the Library Shop at the New York Public Library, 42nd St at Fifth Ave (212-930-0641)

  • Holiday gift guide 2012

    Click & Grow battery-operated plant (no watering or fertilizing needed), $60, at clickandgrow.com

  • Holiday gift guide 2012

    Personalization Mall Hands Off oversize personalized beer mug (up to 12 characters), $25, at personalizationmall.com

  • Holiday gift guide 2012

    Wolf Designs Secret cognac set, six glasses, coasters and case for $120, available Tuesday November 20, 2012 at gentsupplyco.com

  • Holiday gift guide 2012

    Turtle Shell wireless speakers, $140 each, at Urban Outfitters, locations throughout the city; visit urbanoutfitters.com

  • Holiday gift guide 2012

    The Hexi portable iPhone charger, $35, at uncommongoods.com

  • Holiday gift guide 2012

    Link Up crystal watch cufflinks, $59, at giltman.com

    WIN IT! Two lucky readers will win a $100 gift card to shop on Gilt. Enter to win at timeout.com/newyork/WinGifts

  • Photograph: Raf Sanchez

    Holiday gift guide 2012

    Native Union Curve bluetooth wireless handset and iPhone dock, $65, at gilt.com/home

    WIN IT! Two lucky readers will win a $100 gift card to shop on Gilt. Enter to win at timeout.com/newyork/WinGifts.

  • Holiday gift guide 2012

    Bella Dots 12-cup coffeemaker, $35, at Target, locations throughout the city; visit target.com

  • Holiday gift guide 2012

    Kate Spade New York monogrammed note cards, ten cards and ten envelopes for $26, at Kate Spade New York, 454 Broome St at Mercer St (212-274-1991, katespade.com)

  • Holiday gift guide 2012

    CB2 Bar Games recycled paper coasters (30 games), $12, at CB2, 979 Third Ave at 58th St (212-355-7974, cb2.com)

  • Photograph: Sean Meszaros

    Holiday gift guide 2012

    Target ceramic latke mug, melamine latke salad plate, ceramic dreidel platter, ceramic menorah and Star of David appetizer plates, $2–$13, at Target, locations throughout the city; visit target.com

  • Holiday gift guide 2012

    Cordon Blue espresso cups, set of six for $37, at overstock.com

  • Holiday gift guide 2012

    Brooklyn Slate large chalkboard cheese board, $35, at ABC Carpet & Home, 888 Broadway at 19th St (212-473-3000, abchome.com)

  • Holiday gift guide 2012

    Sinra iPhone folio case, $30, at givesimple.com

  • Holiday gift guide 2012

    Ann Taylor Gator two-tone scarves, $58 each, at Ann Taylor, locations throughout the city; visit anntaylor.com

  • Holiday gift guide 2012

    Fred and Friends Sauced measuring wine glasses, $18 each, at Delphinium Home, 353 W 47th St between Eighth and Ninth Aves (212-333-7732, delphiniumhome.com)

  • Holiday gift guide 2012

    Pizza Pi cutter, $19, at spoonsisters.com

  • Holiday gift guide 2012

    Magenta Inc. Spice Craft measuring spoons, $25, at modcloth.com

  • Holiday gift guide 2012

    Acme Studio zipper pen, $73; and card case, $37; both at Art Brown International Pen Shop, 2 W 45th St between Fifth and Sixth Aves (212-575-5555)

  • Holiday gift guide 2012

    iPod 16GB Nano, $149, at Apple, locations throughout the city; visit apple.com

  • Holiday gift guide 2012

    Altuzarra for Target double old-fashioned glasses, four for $50; shaker, $50; and tray, $80; all at Target, locations throughout the city; visit target.com

  • Holiday gift guide 2012

    Kikkerland Clap On alarm clock, $25 each, at Site NYC, 35-11 34th Ave at 35th St, Astoria, Queens (718-626-6030, sitenyc.com)

  • Holiday gift guide 2012

    Kate Spade New York Say the Word mugs, $20 each, at Kate Spade New York, 454 Broome St at Mercer St (212-274-1991, katespade.com)

  • Holiday gift guide 2012

    Personalized crystal wine cradle, $70, at personalizationmall.com

  • Holiday gift guide 2012

    Zara Home chunky throw, $100, at zarahome.com

  • Holiday gift guide 2012

    Maple Burl horizontal picture frame, $75, at ABC Carpet & Home, 888 Broadway at 19th St (212-473-3000, abchome.com)

  • Holiday gift guide 2012

    Boskke recycled sky planter, $18, at greenergrassdesign.com

  • Holiday gift guide 2012

    Payless zigzag scarf, $15, at Payless, locations throughout the city; visit payless.com

  • Holiday gift guide 2012

    Urban Outfitters Mercury glass candlesticks, $12–$28 each, at Urban Outfitters, locations throughout the city; visit urbanoutfitters.com

  • Holiday gift guide 2012

    Unique Vintage mini suitcase-style bags, $30 each, at unique-vintage.com

  • Holiday gift guide 2012

    Pocket Posh Sudoku 13 pocket-sized book of 100 puzzles, $8; and Wonderword 2 pocket-sized book of 100 puzzles, $8; both at Posman Books, 75 Ninth Ave between 15th and 16th Sts (212-627-0304)

  • Holiday gift guide 2012

    Skullcandy Aviator Edit custom design-your-own over-ear headphones, $199, at skullcandy.com

  • Holiday gift guide 2012

    Hexa stacking wine rack, $25, at Crate & Barrel, 650 Madison Ave between 59th and 60th Sts (212-308-0011)

  • Holiday gift guide 2012

    Click n Cook modular spatula system with five utensils, $35, at thinkgeek.com

  • Holiday gift guide 2012

    Mend denim tote, $95, at store.invisiblechildren.com

  • Holiday gift guide 2012

    Kate Spade New York composition notebook iPad folio, $85, at Kate Spade New York, 454 Broome St at Mercer St (212-274-1991, katespade.com)

  • Holiday gift guide 2012

    Personalization Mall Heart Felt personalized keepsake pillow (up to 12 characters), $30, at personalizationmall.com

  • Holiday gift guide 2012

    Areaware Wake Up Call iPhone dock, $30, at modcloth.com

  • Holiday gift guide 2012

    C. Wonder ikat print apron, $28, at C. Wonder, Time Warner Center, 10 Columbus Circle at 60th St (212-956-9760, cwonder.com)

  • Holiday gift guide 2012

    Nau foldable down scarf with pouch, $65, at REI, 303 Lafayette St at E Houston St (212-680-1938)

  • Photograph: Courtesy MoMA Store

    Holiday gift guide 2012

    Alain Chemama and Josselin Zaigouche silicone serving peppers, two for $35, at MoMA Design Store, 81 Spring St at Crosby St (646-613-1367)

Holiday gift guide 2012

Paperblanks Intricate Inlays Thai Gems journal, $15; and Intricate Inlays Mirror Vine journal, $13; both at the Library Shop at the New York Public Library, 42nd St at Fifth Ave (212-930-0641)

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  • How about language classes? Great for a roommate, a friend, a boyfriend, a sibling, really anyone with a desire to travel, boost a resume or learn! Check out language classes for adults at www.fluentcity.com. 10 languages are offered and classes are held in Manhattan and Brooklyn.

    Mandy Thu Nov 15 2012
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