I'm always looking for special presents that my family and friends aren't likely to have seen. I tend to give a mix of holiday presents that come from my kids' most wanted list (which tend to be hotly-hyped products) and more interesting, less well known gifts from specialty stores and sites. On-line I tend to shop at the usual suspects, but there are a few places you may not have heard of that are great for specialty products.
You don't have to be a nerd to shop at ThinkGeek.com. Purveyors of everything from t-shirts with musical instruments built-in, to cool toys, caffinated food stuffs, and incredible gadgets that you never knew you needed. Just take a look at their holiday gift page: iPad Cases that look like Etch-A-Sketchs, programmable and remote controlled robots, and my favorite Star Wars toy in many a year, the amazing, huge, Deluxe AT-AT. One of the best things about shopping at ThinkGeek is that you'll find products at every price range and size. They specialize in the unusual, the cool, and the weird: squeezable stress-busting, non-edible cupcakes, Legos you won't find at the local store, and imported watches that wouldn't be out of place in the next sci-fi film you see are just some of the things you'll find.
A friend recently turned me on to a new shopping site called GrowsUp.com. Browse the site and you'll find boutique stores that specialize in products for kids that you're not likely to see in the big-box megamalls. That's because the founder of the site, Stephanie Robesky, has created a place where small companies that specialize in baby and kids products can set up shop. She focuses on finding what she calls "mompreneurs" - women who have started business after starting a family with a finger on the pulse of what products would make their lives easier, better, or more fun.
You can browse GrowsUp.com by product type (clothing, shoes, toys, furniture, baby gear and more), but what really separates it from other sites I've seen is its unique ability to set up profiles (they call them filters) for each child on your shopping list. You tell them a bit about your child (age, gender) and they show you only the products that are a good fit. This makes it not only a perfect site for parents, but for those of us who might not be sure exactly what would be the "right product for the right age" for a niece, nephew, grandchild or friend. I particularly liked the craft sets, and little dresses reminded me of the fun I had as a dad picking out clothes for my girls (before they developed a fashion sense of their own!).
By the way, if you're looking for a great source of recommendations for kid media turn no further than to Toyportfolio.com, the site founded by Joanne and Stephanie Oppenheim (my mom and sister, respectively). They've been reviewing the best toys, books, videos and other products for kids for over a decade on the Today Show, in print and on their website. Their Platinum Award winners are kid and educator tested and the reviews are independent. They also have lists of products recommended for children with special needs. New, they now have links where you can buy many of the products on-line.
Friends from outside of New York City may not be aware of one of our most treasured resources: Zabars. Located on the Upper West Side of Manhattan, it is one of the best places in the city to find delicacies like smoked fish. It is also home to my favorite whole bean coffee: the incredibly delicious Zabar's Special Blend. Though the cost has significantly increased over the years, it is still my favorite coffee at any price while remaining a relative bargain. Zabars offers free shipping on Coffee only orders of four or more pounds.
Speaking of New York specialty food stores, be sure to take a look at Kalustyan's. If you come to New York City you should make a point of visiting this shop that claims to carry over 4,000 spices, herbs, sweets, and other specialty products. The aromas are intoxicating; the treats (cashews, pistachios, figs, dates, and apricots) are second to none. When I'm getting ready to cook middle eastern recipes from my cooking site, TheMovieChef.com, Kalustyan's is where I turn. You'll find cookbooks, tagines, brass serving bowls, great pepper mills, more chutney than you knew existed and other hard-to fidn products.
When I'm looking for cameras, computer equipment and gadgets I always search three or four sites. You know about Amazon, but look also at NewEgg.com, JR.com and B&H photo (which also sells many other kinds of electronics). I've had good luck with all of them. However, you'll have a better shopping experience if you research your electronics purchase carefully before you go hunting for the best deal. Know exactly which model you're looking for, because on-line very different products can seem confusingly similar particularly when the model number might stretch out to ten places.
