Best gift shops: Park Slope

Slopers hit this local spot for its scads of greeting cards and stationery, including such chic lines as Rössler Papier, SoHo Papers and Waste Not Papers. Peruse its slew of artful invitations by Brooklyn designers; to further tailor your invites, its custom printing service can also accommodate special requests. What’s more, its knowledgeable staff can answer etiquette questions.

After opening its doors in 2007, this popular shop relocates from Boerum Hill to a Park Slope storefront that’s more than twice the size. Owner Ann Cantrell carefully selects quirky household items, such as Mason Shaker cocktail shakers ($35) shaped like the iconic jar, Paisley Tree Press mullet-emblazoned coasters (eight for $15) and Bob’s Your Uncle vinyl collection puzzles ($27). Nostalgic foodies will adore Donkey cassette-tape–shaped cookie cutters ($16), while dog lovers can pick up Loopies woven dog cigars ($10).

A former buyer for Bloomingdale’s and Barneys New York, owner Grace Kang stocks her pair of whimsical gift shops with knickknacks ($8–$150), decorative accessories ($28–$88) and cards ($4–$6) from indie designers such as Atsuyo Et Akiko, Knot & Bow and Paper Lovely. Forgo traditional Christmas boughs and make your own with Rifle Paper Co.’s DIY botanical garlands ($24), created by stringing circular card-stock alphabet and floral tiles through ribbon. Folksy Maileg five-foot-tall pixie advent calendar dolls ($120) allow you to count down the days until Christmas by stuffing the creature’s 24 pockets with small gifts. If you’re looking to add festive flair to blank walls, check out Park Slope artist Kristiana Parn’s seasonal wooden prints ($65)—our favorite depicts bunnies resting on a holiday tree.

At this friendly sex-toy boutique—run by women and skewed toward women—browsers are encouraged to handle all manner of buzzing, wriggling and bendable playthings, including the famed Rabbit Pearl vibrator. The shop also stocks a huge variety of condoms and hosts frank sex-ed classes on a variety of subjects. Browse and sign up for classes at Babeland

Dotting the hardwood floors are modern dwelling dressings, tabletop goods and the occasional refurbished antique. Smaller housewarming goodies, such as a cozy Nina Campbell lambswool throw ($296) and a hand-painted red-umber sushi set for two ($144) are just the touches to make an apartment a sterling place in its own right.

While working as an interior decorator, New York School of Interior Design alum Susie Kurkowski found herself frustrated by the lack of whimsical housewares on the market. She opened this retail shop and showroom, specializing in unique furniture ($200–$5,000), lighting ($200–$2,000), artwork ($350–$2,000), rugs ($150–$3,500) and quirky home accessories ($12–$200), many from NYC designers. We love Bahia de Montarlot glass-topped hashtag-shaped tables ($1,800), street artist George “Sen One” Morillo graffiti chairs ($1,800) and Go Home reclaimed-wood bookshelves ($1,400) that unfold to become dining tables. Smaller home upgrades include ReWined champagne-scented candles ($28), Darzzi neon-accent geometric throws ($84) and Girls Can Tell Brooklyn Bridge–adorned dish towels ($14).