Last year’s holiday newsletter had a list of 5 places to get great tech gifts, both in NYC and online. The stores on last year’s list:
Here is this year’s list of 5 different stores, some in New York and some online only.
1. Flight001
Flight001 is the best travel store in NY. They have alarm clocks, cool digital watches, fancy laptop bags, and other accessories to help you travel in style. Great place for gifts you won’t see anywhere else.
96 Greenwich Avenue
Plus a store in Brooklyn, at 132 Smith Street
2. Custom-made photo gifts
In addition to Apple’s photo books and cards builder (built right into iPhoto), there are other online stores that allow you to design your own photo books, calendars, and cards. Our favorites are:
MyPublisher: Books only.
Blurb: Books only.
Adorama: Books, calendars, greeting cards, prints.
Shutterfly: Books, calendars, greeting cards, prints, mugs, mousepads, playing cards, and other stuff.
3. Muji
Although not technically a gadget store, this Japanese chain has great gifts in home accessories, clothing, stationery supplies, and bath/travel accessories. They also have great computer bags, at a reasonable price. Three locations (plus a limited selection of items is also sold in the MoMA stores):
Soho: 455 Broadway
Times Square: NYT Building, 620 Eighth Ave
Chelsea: 16 West 19th Street
4. Japan Trend Shop
Our list wouldn’t be complete without a strange Japanese store; this year it’s Japan Trend Shop. Yes, everything ships from Japan so place your orders SOON. Take a look at the ChouChou Electric Butterfly, the USB Owl, and the futuristic 1259C LED Watch.
5. Etsy
If you don’t know Etsy, you need to check it out ASAP. People all over the world put their handmade and vintage items up for sale. The items range from the sublime to the insane. There’s a wide selection of tech-type gifts, most under the “Geekery” section. A few faves are the coasters with designs of iPhone App icons, to necklaces with binary, to handmade wooden iPhone/iPod docks.
And even more gadget gift ideas
Each day from December 1 through 24 our blog will be highlighting one cool tech item or object. So check in daily to see what we’re recommending, or sign up on the blog to get our blog posts in your email inbox.
(November 2010)