Holiday gift guide 2012: Stores that are open early or late

It’s a good thing this famed shop is open daily until 10:30pm; you’ll need the extra time to comb through hundreds of new and used books, as well as cool, lit-nerd–friendly gifts. Stock up on affordable presents such as a tin of Wild & Wolf coasters fashioned after Scrabble pieces ($19) and Cavallini journals ($11–$15) with vintage NYC pics on the cover. The shop’s “Author’s Bookshelf” program includes selections personally curated by notable authors and artists. • Mon–Sat 9:30am–10:30pm, Sun 11am–10:30pm.

Hawking the high-end goods you’d find at Nordstrom for a fraction of the price, this discount shopping destination is perfect for gift givers on a budget—and for those who can’t begin their holiday shopping until the workday ends. Enviable steals include Cynthia Steffe colorblock dresses ($100) and Steve Madden shoulder bags ($55). • Mon–Sat 10am–10pm; Sun 11am–8pm.

This purveyor of colorful, inventive home goods and accessories, many of which are hard to find elsewhere, has four NYC locations. Two of these are often open before 9am and past 9pm seven days a week (its Grand Central Terminal shop is staffed as late as 11pm on Friday, while the Rockefeller Center outpost stays open until 11pm on Wednesday). Among the cute items you’ll find in stock are paraffin candles resembling light bulbs ($18) and glimmering fiberglass Buddha statues ($95).

Snag presents for the art- or design-lover on your list at the Midtown institution’s gift shop, which opens at 9:30am. You’ll find items such as prints of Picasso’s “Girl Before a Mirror” ($26) and Monochromatic Lexon watches ($56)—just avoid the temptation to snatch them up for yourself. In addition to books, posters, accessories and home decor pieces, this shop also carries such luxe furniture items as a Phillipe Starck-designed Ghost Chair for those intending to splurge this holiday season. • Sat–Thu 9:30am–6:30pm, Fri 9:30am–9pm.

A combination coffee shop and retail store, this East Village emporium is one of the city’s premier destinations for all things eco-friendly. After picking up a cup of Brooklyn Roasting Company Joe ($2–$3), shop for goods like unisex organic-cotton zip-up hoodies ($35–$40), Resource Revival bike-chain bracelets ($10–$12) and hummingbird printed canvas wallets ($18) by Bungalow 360, made with all-natural, vegan materials. • Mon–Fri 8am–10pm; Sat, Sun 9am–10pm.

Make an early trip to this massive retailer, which opens at 10am daily. You’re likely to find something for everyone on your list—the shop carries clothes, pretty and practical accessories, household wares, Chinese foods and many more giftable goodies. Shell out for a ceramic tea set emblazoned with Chinese poems ($55), or nab stocking stuffers like floral scented soaps ($2) and incense sticks ($4). • Daily 10am–7:20pm.