This post is all about gifts for New Yorkers – that I promise they will use and love!
Buying gifts for New Yorkers is tricky. We have refined taste and no space. Here are 31 gifts women in New York will love.
While I’m 27 years old, I still write a Christmas wish list every year (per my parents’ request!!)
My family is from the Midwest. And let’s face it, the things you want and need in rural America are just completely different from what you need in New York.
So what kind of gifts do Female New Yorkers want?
Our space here is so limited, and we pay for every inch we take up. Anything that we can’t wear or use is pretty much off the table (hell, I don’t even have a table and don’t you dare get me one!)
Here are 31 gifts for New Yorkers (women’s edition). The best part? Most of these gifts are under $100.
1. A Classic New Yorker Canvas Bag
Every New Yorker has 2-5 solid canvas bags they use in rotation. We use them for everything. Groceries, books, a day in the park, and everything in between. Our favorite ones take a beating, and this is one thing we can never have enough of.
New Yorkers love tote bags so much that there is even this fun Instagram about our stylish companions.
The most popular canvas bags are the New Yorker or Strand Bookstore.
2. Compact Makeup & Perfume
These are two things you won’t catch me on a night out without! I always have a tiny Charlotte Tilbury lip kit in my bag and the Very Good Girl Carolina Herrera rollerbalm. These mini cosmetics keep me looking fresh on a long night out without taking up too much room in my purse.
3. A Tiny Purse
And to go with their tiny makeup and perfume, naturally, you need a tiny going-out purse. It’s very important that the New Yorker you are purchasing this for can still dance without having to worry about their purse, which is why it has to be exceptionally tiny.
4. Citi Bike Membership
As crazy as it sounds, Citi Bikes are, in fact, the most efficient way to get around the city. These bikes are everywhere in New York and provide a fast (and slightly terrifying) mode of transportation.
A Citi Bike membership is a unique and very useful gift for anyone who isn’t afraid to pedal these streets.
5. Anything from Le Labo
Le Labo is beloved by many here in the city. Founded in New York, this fragrance shop is the definition of that quiet New York chic that effortlessly smells fabulous.
Their discovery sets are perfect when you’re not sure which scents the recipient will love. And if you want a fail-proof pick, their long-lasting scented soy candles are always a safe choice.
6. Silver Accessories
If you haven’t heard, silver is back. And it’s really the only thing girls are wearing to accessorize with these days, but a whole lot of it. Think chunky silver necklaces layered so thick you jingle all the way to dinner.
7. Coffee Shop Gift Cards
Coffee Shops dominate New York, and we’re all here for it. Some quintessential classic cafes that offer gift cards for your New Yorker are Hungry Ghost, 787 Coffee, orLa Cabra.
8. Art Museum Subscription
Give the gift of culture with a museum membership. Institutions like the MoMA and the Whitney offer rotating exhibitions, film screenings, and exclusive member perks.
MOMA subscriptions vary with different tiers ranging from $75 – $600, but you can view all of them here
The Whitney membership includes free admission, member nights, and other exclusive deals.
9. Daily Planner
Between long hours, side gigs, dinners, and nonstop social plans, one stereotype about New Yorkers rings true: we’re always on the move.
Call me crazy, but I have two planners I use daily – one for work and one for my personal life. Sadly, I’m just not a Google Calendar girl. And if the person you’re shopping for is a write-it-down kind of girl, she’ll love these planners.
I love the Happy Planner brand and have used it for years. Paper source also has some nice options.
10. Travel Bottles
A chic travel mug or water bottle is one of the most practical gifts you can give a New Yorker. Between long commutes, busy workdays, and nonstop social schedules, staying hydrated (or caffeinated) on the go is essential.
11. Movie Theater Membership
Perhaps I’m dramatic, but your go-to movie theater in New York is practically a personality trait. Metrograph is for the millennials still clinging to their plaid era, IFC is for the NYU film kids who pretend they don’t care about grades, and Angelika is for the intellectuals who actually stay for the post-screening Q&As.
If you aren’t sure, your New Yorker’s favorite theater, AMC or Alamo, has several locations and also has great memberships.
12. Hatch Sunrise Alarm & Sound Machine
Why wake up to a blaring iPhone alarm when you can peacefully open your eyes to a sunrise! For New Yorkers who battle dark winter mornings, tiny apartments, and chaotic schedules, the hatch alarm clock is a small luxury that makes every morning feel a little better.
Plus, this alarm has a sound machine, which is a huge game-changer for getting a good night’s rest in the city that never sleeps.
13. Quirky Coffee Table Books
While bold of me to say, I feel the one thing that really unites all New Yorkers is our love for a curated coffee table book. It’s the smallest detail that can add personality to a space, spark conversation, and make even the tiniest apartment feel intentionally styled.
A couple of my personal favorites are Rebecca Gardner’s A Screaming Blast, Sofia Coppola Archive, and AD At Home.
14. Commuter Bag
Between subways, sidewalks, and office days that somehow turn into dinner plans, having a bag that can handle a laptop, a water bottle, and the random things we collect throughout the day is essential. A commuter bag is a gift that blends function with style.
15. Essie Gel Couture Nail Polish
One of my newest favorite life-hacks: ultra–fast-drying nail polish. I’m genuinely terrible at doing my nails (always have been), but this stuff is stupid simple and dries in minutes. It’s perfect for anyone who’s constantly on the go but still wants their nails to look put-together without the effort.
*Be sure to purchase a favorite color + the top coat, which enables quick drying. A lot of women in New York rock red or cream colored nails. But of course, any color will do!
16. Athleisure
Honestly, a girl can never own enough athleisure here! I was never one to really own matching sets, but now that I go to pilates and yoga classes regularly, I can’t live without them!
Even though I love a colored workout set, you won’t catch me dead paying anywhere near $100 for a pair of leggings. *Cough cough* LuLu Lemon. Aerie’s Offline sets are stylish, comfortable, and affordable.
17. Hulken Bag
The Hulken bag is the holy grail for anyone who hauls their life around the city. It glides on wheels, folds flat, and somehow fits everything from Trader Joe’s runs to laundry to half your apartment.
18. Leon Circle Club Wine Subscription
If you’re looking for a snazzy gift for someone who is wine-obsessed, check out one of Brooklyn’s best wine shops that will send them 3 bottles of wine a month for just $84.
Read about Leon Circle’s wine subscription here.
19. Digital Camera
Digital cameras are circling back into our lives to emphasize our beautiful and effortless glam on social media. All jokes aside, they really are just a fun thing to have in your *tiny purse* on a night out.
20. Shoes That’ll Take Her For Miles
Leveling up my shoe game was very much needed when I moved to New York. I had no idea just how important quality shoes were. It’s a hard task to find stylish shoes that are also comfortable. Here are a few of my tried & true.
21. Uber or Lyft Gift Card
Those of us who get a little too carried away with our weekends often splurge on the ride home. Subways after 1 AM are generally just not the safest idea. My family often gifts me Uber gift cards, and I always use them!
22. Small Air Fryer
Historically, I have been anti-air fryer until I found a very small one. Because I simply don’t have the space! This was a life-changing discovery as I stopped eating out as often. I know I can pop in a few Trader Joe’s shrimps or dumplings and have dinner in under 10 minutes.
23. An Evening at Bathhouse
Bathhouse is one of those very-New-York gifts that feels indulgent without being over the top. The Williamsburg location sits inside a renovated 1930s soda factory, and the whole experience is basically rotating between saunas, steam rooms, and hot pools with your friends. It’s social, it’s fun, and they even have a location in Flatiron.
To gift this experience, you can buy a Bathhouse gift card or simply book them a day pass for just $49.
24. Bag Charms
You won’t catch me with a labubu dangling from my purse, but you might see me sneak a few bag charms and chains. I tend to think handbags all look the same, so I’m a big fan of the current trend of personalizing them with cute accessories.
25. Uplift Tattoo & Piercing Gift Card
It may seem odd as it may be that I’m including, and in fact, recommending you to gift someone a tattoo gift card. However, as your personal New York gifting correspondent, I’m here to report that most people under the age of 40 are rocking tattoos here. Uplift does a fantastic job and is a very popular spot here in New York.
26. Tickets to a Broadway Show
This one may seem obvious, but tickets to a show are always a great gift. Broadway is one of the few places in the city where tourists and locals come together under one roof to enjoy a bit of culutre (though you can always tell who’s who) and enjoy a bit of culture.
27. Holiday Gift Basket
If you’re looking for something to send your New Yorker so they’ll feel a little more at home during the holidays, check out a holiday food basket set from Harry & David or Hickory Farms.
Any time I missed a holiday, my grandma would send me one of these sets, and I loved them.
28. Small Card & Board Games
Mini games are seriously trending with bar crowds these days! I love board games, but let’s be real. Some are just way too big to lug around. That’s why Monopoly Deal is such a hit right now, because you can simply throw it in your purse and play it at the bar with your friends.
This is another fun portable game idea if you want a couple of options.
29. Subway Essentials
Depending on the time of year, a few essentials can make any New Yorker’s daily commute a lot more bearable. When July hits, and the subway feels like a sauna with zero A/C, a mini battery-powered fan is an absolute lifesaver.
Come winter, though, a thick pair of gloves and a cozy hat are non-negotiable—keeping you warm while you wait for that never-on-time train or bus.
30. Rain Gear
When it rains here, the flooding can be outrageous – and it can happen SO fast!
I was one of those people who truly didn’t believe in rain gear. That is, until I moved to New York. Now I have a solid pair of rain boots, a waterproof winter coat, and even a rain jacket.
31. Meal Delivery Service
If the person you’re shopping for isn’t a cook, not to worry! There are several meal delivery services that are popular among New Yorkers. One I’ve heard great things about is CookUnity
Meals start at around $11 each, with flexible plans ranging from 4 to 16 meals per week, and an optional subscription for free delivery and perks. It’s an ideal gift for anyone juggling a hectic city life and a desire for gourmet meals.
This post is all about gifts for New Yorkers.
Coffee shop gift cards are such a good gift in general, but ESPECIALLY for New Yorkers I imagine!! They’re always on the go! Thanks for the ideas, definitely going to pick a few of these up for some East Coast friends 🙂