By Marjorie Flannigan MacLachlan, Licensed Associate Real Estate Broker 

Happy Holidays!  This is such a great time to find treats for those you treasure—especially children! With so many choices on the market, it can be hard to narrow down what to choose. The best way to solve that problem may be to shop locally! You will save yourself computer time and have a blast, while avoiding any unwanted shipping snafus.  Local shop owners are great at helping you make choices too, knowing what is most popular for kids based on their age and interests. Having raised my daughter on Manhattan's Upper East Side and joyfully shopped for lots of presents, I've compiled a guide to my favorite spots in the area for children, tweens, and teens. Aside from a rich selection of toys, books, and more, each of the stores provides an experience as valuable as the gifts themselves. 
 

Shopping for Young Children

Shopping for the little ones is simple on the Upper East Side, with toy stores located all throughout the neighborhood. Sweet Mary Arnold Toys on Lex between 80th and 81st street is the oldest continuously operating toy store in NYC. This is made clear from the second you enter the store, given all of the wondrous choices they have, from the newest trendsetters to familiar favorites like the classic Fisher Price rotary phone and the winter staple Radio Flyer sled.

Learning Express on 3rd Avenue and 63rd street has an unbeatable collection, expertly curated to suit each age group. HomBom Toys, located on First Avenue between 78th and 79th is so local that it does not have a website however, they are easy to find; just look for the red awning decorated with children’s handprints! .  I love their games, construction and science kits, unicorn books, and “cuteness overload” notebooks. 

If the perfect bicycle is on the wish list, there is no better place to shop than Bicycles NYC on Third Avenue, between 79th and 80th Street. This shop has been a beloved neighborhood staple since 1978, serving the community with a passion and providing an unmatched expertise. Check out these choices.

During your shopping trip, if you have the time to take a break, consider heading over to the Metropolitan Museum of Art on Fifth Avenue. Not only is this a must-visit destination for locals and tourists alike, but the gift shop is filled with an excellent selection of gift-worthy items. From puzzles, books, stuffed animals, toys, and even dress-up pieces, there is plenty to browse! Check out all the medieval section for fab costumes and toy figures, and the pop-up books. 

Finally, and perhaps the piece de resistance for sheer fun, is Tiny Doll House located at 314 East 78th street.  This spot is beyond popular, attracting shoppers of all ages.

Shopping for Tweens & Teens

The Upper East Side is also a prime destination when shopping for pre-teenagers and teenagers. Although finding the perfect gift can be a challenge, the stores located in this neighborhood make it simple with fan-favorites all around. If shopping for girls, Big Feelings is the place to visit. This pop-up shop located on Madison Avenue, between 83rd and 84th Street has a wide selection of sleepwear, cozy casual wear, and more. Their uplifiting message of spreading positivity and believing that "kind is the new cool" makes them a brand worth supporting, and their aestethically pleasing atmosphere of candy colored walls, room of clouds, balloon decor, and words of affirmation found throughout, makes Big Feelings a must-visit.

There are endless clothing options aside from Big Feelings, like Everafter on Madison Avenue between 84th and 85th street. This store has a variety of trendy options for young children to teenagers. Actress Phoebe Cates’s store Blue Tree on Madison Avenue between has an eclectic selection of clothing, jewelry, and more that includes cool DYK kits. You can make your own gramophone or film projector, fun beaded bags, adorable pillows, sweet necklaces, unique stuffed animals, and some of the cutest socks like Gumball Poodle. 

Victoria's Secret & Pink on East 86th street is a popular staple for gift giving, with great pajama sets, perfumes, and a range of cosmetic products to choose from. Lulu Lemon, a popular store for both girls and boys, is located on Madison Avenue between 85th and 86th street. Just one block up, you'll find two more fan-favorite stores: Sephora and H&M, which are tried-and-true stops for a great selection of gift ideas.

Another unbeatable location, on Second Avenue between 75th and 76th street, for all different types of gift items is Pottery Barn Teen. From gorgeous pink toile bedding made by Love Shack Fancy, to holiday pajama sets, Harry Potter branded accessories, and wall art, this store truly has it all!

If you're shopping for boys, this holiday season, Esquire has a helpful guide to gifting. From speakers and mini-fridges, to clothing items like sunglasses, sneakers, and cologne, this list is worth browsing for gift inspiration.

Visit Best Buy on 86th street and Lexington Avenue for all your technological needs, and Sunglass Hut or Warby Parker for a great selection of eye wear. On Madison Avenue and 73rd street, you'll find Bond No. 9, an ideal location for the best smelling colognes.

For books, visit The Corner Bookstore on the corner of Madison Avenue and 93rd Street. It has been around since 1978 and its knowledgeable staff can recommend books for all ages. Aspiring chefs might revel in something from Kitchen Arts and Letters on Lexington Avenue between 93rd and 94 Street. 

With its robust selection of stores that suit all ages and every item on the wish list, the Upper East Side is the ideal neighborhood to get your holiday shopping done. With the holidays in full swing, consider visting one of these great shops and make the shopping season worth while!

Click here to connect with Marjorie and view her current listings.