Best presents for tiny NYC apartments
It's hard to be a giver—or a receiver—of gifts in this city, where space is at such a premium deciding which of our belongings to keep or let go is a near-daily practice. (Spring cleaning? Who has room to wait that long?) But you're in luck: We've scoured shopping sites for presents at various price points that not only have small footprints, but will please the pickiest of New Yorkers on your list.
Leave six-packs for last-minute types who don't know what to gift. Instead, this bottle opener ($19) from Brooklyn's A&G Merch lets your craft-beer-loving friends know you've put some thought into their present—and their small apartments.
A handpainted Brooklyn tea towel (By Brooklyn, $20) almost sounds too twee for the often-twee borough's own good, but these by local artist Kate Wilkes are downright pretty, and practical, too! Also, all it needs is a stove handle to hang from, and you're good to go.
'Tis the season for pies, and a gold-tipped pie server from Anthropologie ($20) adds a swank touch to a dessert table.
Can one ever really have enough reusable bags? This one by Maptotes ($20) features doodles symbolizing neighborhoods in the five boroughs and comes in a handful of colors. If you're cramped for storage, you can hang it on a hook and use it to hold towels, tablecloths, or other bags—or anything else that fits, for that matter.
We'll get behind any gift that gets you a deal in this expensive city. Brokelyn's Cocktail Book ($25) gives recipients two-for-one deals at more than two dozen watering holes.
A personalized mixed-tape doormat ($38) won't take up room in your apartment at all, and will help keep your place clean. Privacy-minded New Yorkers may not want their name plastered all over it, in which case we suggest opting for a funny phrase instead.
The AuraBox Clock Speaker ($65) tells time, yes, but also alerts you to incoming calls and texts. Plus, it notifies you of social media updates—we have no idea how, but science!—and functions as a Bluetooth speaker. Best of all, it fits in the palm of your hand.
The Cold Bruer drip coffee maker ($81.99) makes a mean cup of coffee (up to 20 cups a go, per the manufacturer) and is about half the size of a Keurig.
Related:
What to get the NYC families you love
Tipping the building staff: BrickUnderground's 2015 guide
