Shopping Guide in New York City

Regardless of whether you have reservations at the toniest restaurant, or the most expensive gift in exquisite wrapping paper, DO NOT forget to bring her/him a bouquet of flowers. Trust me, s/he'll love you for it.

Also, New York's TAX FREE WEEK is from January 17-24. During this week, there will be no sales tax charged on purchases of clothing and shoes below $500 (this includes lingerie, fellas).

Our shopping guide is split into:

• Getting Serious for expensive gifts
• Pamper me for hands on gifts
• Sweet Tooth for delicious gifts
• Pets, etc for warm, fuzzy gifts
• And never forget for smelly gifts
• Web Shopping for easy gifts

Getting Serious

• Felissimo
  10 W. 56th St. (between 5th and 6th Ave.), 247-5656
  M-W, F, Sa 10-6, Th 10-8, closed Su
  Felissimo is store within a town house that sells accessories, bed and bath products, gifts, some clothing for men and women, table-top items, and unusual furniture. The top floor, after a series of curving marble staircases, is a cozy little tea room where you can recover from the shock of the prices of some of the items. If the person you're shopping for is into Asian-influenced decorations, there are many Zen-inspired ornaments here.
• Tiffany & Company
  727 5th Ave. (near 57th St.), 755-8000
  M-W, F, Sa 10-6, Th 10-7
  Don't be intimidated by the dazzling jewelry that surrounds you as you step into this bastion of brilliance. If just thinking of the price tags tucked discreetly out of sight makes you sweat, then head to the elevator and visit the upper floors that house the more affordable collections of silver jewelry. Your love's eyes will light up when s/he sees the little blue box with the white satin ribbon ; )
• Tourneau and Gorevic Collection at Tourneau
  635 Madison Ave. (near 59th St.), 832-9000
  M-F, Su 10-6, Sa 10-5:30
  Though you could probably find better prices if you shopped around enough, Tourneau has a large selection of watches from all major companies. They will trade in your old watch for a credit toward a new one. A watch is a wonderful gift because not only is it practical, it's also a daily reminder of your love.
• Victoria's Secret
  
  • 34 E. 57th St. (between Park & Madison Ave.), 758-5592
    M-F, Su 10-8, Sa 11-7
    
  • 565 Broadway (between Prince and Spring), 274-9519
    M-Sa 10-9, Su 12-7
    
  • 1240 3rd Ave. (between 71st and 72nd St), 717-7035
    M-Sa 10-8, Su 12-6
    
  If you're planning on getting some sexy little number for that special someone, but you've never shopped for lingerie before, Victoria's Secret is the place to start. The store's popularity lies in the ability to provide both sexy and functional items; this is key if you want her to look beautiful and be comfortable at the same time. Speaking of comfort, you should find out her size before you go to the store. Once you're there the friendly sales staff will help you find something just right.

Pamper Me

• The Aveda Salon and Spa
  456 W. Broadway (between Prince and Houston St.), 473-0280
  M-Th 10-9, F-Sa 9-8, Su 10-7 (call for appointments)
  At Aveda, you can find biodegradable products made from flowers and plants for your hair and body, scented candles, etc. For a really wonderful present, get a gift certificate for a 60 minute massage or a facial (both are $75). Trust me, it's definitely worth the money.
• Frédéric Fekkai Beauté de Provence
  15 E. 57th St. (between Fifth and Madison Ave.), 753-9500
  M-T, Sa 9-6, W & F 9-7, Th 9-8
  Situated on five floors of the Chanel building, Fekkai's "beauty retreat" (never call it a spa) caters to a sophisticated crowd. For an ultimate day in pampering, get your sweetheart a 50 minute massage ($90), facial ($85), or a heavenly pedicure ($48). Warning: The lavish attention you receive is extremely addictive.
• Healing Hands
  849 Lexington Ave. (between 64th and 65th Street), 486-1122
  By appointment only, call between 10 and 10
  An homage to hedonism, Healing Hands is a masseuse dispatch service.

For the Sweet Tooth

• Varsano's Chocolates
  179 West 4th St (between 6th & 7th Ave), 352-1171 or (800)414-4718
  M-Sa 12-9, Su 12-8
  Glowing endorsement by a reader: "I just love their chocolates; the freshness of hand-dipped, as opposed to factory manufactured, chocolates really brings out the flavour of their high grade chocolate. Of course, their prices make quality chocolates affordable." Varsano's also sells other candies, nuts and dried fruits.

• Colette Cakes
  327 W. 11th St. (between Greenwich and Washington St.), 366-6530
  By appointment only
  Their speciality is whimsical, classic, and lavish cakes to order, beginning at $8 per person. They did "Madonna goes platinum" for a New York magazine contest. Very creative, tasty, rich, moist cakes. If you don't trust your baking skills, go to Colette's and have a unique cake baked just for that special person.
• Fifth Avenue Chocolatier
  510 Madison Ave. (near 53rd St.), 935-5454
  M-F 9-6:30, Sa 9:30-6, Su 11:30-5
  Hmm..."Fifth Avenue Chocolatier" on Madison Avenue...it must confuse many of its customers. Nonetheless, people flock to this place where chocolates come packaged in attractive wooden crates. Specialities include fresh and dried fruits dipped in semisweet chocolate, fresh truffles and bittersweet or milk chocolate molded into telephones, champagne bottles, records, tennis raquets, golf balls, and women's legs. They will make a chocolate version of anything you want with two weeks' notice. Charges for deliveries in Manhattan. Mail order or order online from outside of the city.
• Godiva Chocolatier
  
  • 30 Rockefeller Plaza (near 50th St.), 765-4336
    M-F 9-6
    
  • 701 Fifth Ave. (between 54th and 55th St.), 593-2848
    M-Sa 10-7, Su 11-6
    
  • 200 Park Ave. (at 45th St.), 697-9128
    M-F 8-7
    
  • 245 Columbus Ave. (between 71st and 72nd St.), 787-5804
    M-Sa 10-9, Su 12-8
    
  • 33 Maiden Ln. (near Nassau St.), 809-8990
    M-F 8-6:30
    
  • 225 Liberty St. (World Financial Center, Winter Garden), 945-2174
    M-F 10-7, Sa 11-6, Su 12-5
    
  • 560 Lexington Ave. (near 50th St.), 980-9810
    M-Sa 9-7, Su 11-6
    
  Good things come in small packages at Godiva. For those who expect nothing but the best, Godiva offers a variety of amazing confections.
• La Maison du Chocolat
  25 E. 73rd St. (between Fifth and Madison Ave.), 744-7117
  M-F 9:30-7:30
  For the Francophiles out there, this shop is an affiliate of a Parisian chocolate store on rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré. They offer very rich, fabulous chocolate with over 27 combinations. Specialties include fruit pâtés, rich and buttery chocolate truffles, arribas, valencia, rochers, and chocolate-covered chestnuts in season. The chocolate truffles are bittersweet, extremely fresh and should be eaten immediately, while everything else lasts for a whopping two weeks. You may have to break the bank on the chocolates here, but hey, you only live once! There is also a tea salon open M-F 9:30-7.

Pets, Etc.

• ASPCA
  424 E. 92nd St. (between 1st and York), 876-7700
  M-Sa 11-7, Su 12-5
  Love is in the air...so why not find the perfect pet for your sweetheart or for yourself if you're feeling lonely? The ASPCA has a wonderful selection of animals needing a home. Prices are $55 for a dog and $45 for a cat. Fee includes medical exam, initial shots, and neutering. If the animal has health needs, veterinary care is provided. There is a Behavior Health Line to help you settle the animal into its new home.
• Bide-A-Wee Home Association
  410 E. 38th St. (near 1st Ave.), 532-4455
  M-Sa 10-6, Su 10-4
  Bide-A-Wee is another place where you can find the dog or cat that you have always dreamed of having. This is a smaller place, but there's still plenty of animals that need TLC. There is a fee of $55 for dogs and cats under six months ($30 for older animals) which includes a medical exam, initial shots, and neutering. There is also a mini pet store on the premises to get you started with everything you need.
• Karens for People + Pets
  1195 Lexington Ave. (between 81st and 82nd St.), 472-9440
  M-F 8-6, Sa 9-6, closed Su
  Doing some last minute shopping for a Valentine's Day gift for your girlfriend and your loyal pooch? At Karens, you can find something for both of them! Known for the quality of their grooming care (they use hypoallergenic products), the salon sells its products and grooming supplies plus accessories for people and pets.

And Never Forget...

• Roses Only
  45 Christopher St. at Stonewall Pl., 243-4052
  M-F 8-9, Sa 11-7
  The name says it all...

• Chelsea Wholesale Flower Market
  75 Ninth Ave (between 15th and 16th), 620-7500
  M-Sa 8-7, Su 10-6
  They have great prices on a variety of good quality items. If you want to give someone a gift that will last, buy a potted plant instead of cut flowers...

• Elan Flowers
  108 Wooster St. (near Spring St.), 343-2426
  Su, M 12-6, Tu-Sa 12-7
  This is the place to go for slightly less expensive classic European-style bouquets; most of the flowers in the store are from Holland and France. Their selection features attractive arrangements of vibrant flowers priced from $45, plus delivery.
• Zeze
  398 E. 52nd St. (near 1st Ave.), 753-7767
  M-F 8-6
  Zeze offers a wide variety of orchids and other flowers. The store's large selection of vases is the secret behind their dramatic arrangements. $50 minimum, plus delivery ($7-15 in Manhattan), $75 minimum outside Manhattan.

Shopping Guide on the Web

Don't have time to go shopping for a gift? Or are you just lazy? Either way, use the internet to your advantage so that you don't end up in the dog house on that special day for lovers. Many of the links below lead to further links, so if you can't find what you're looking for right away, don't despair, just keep clicking away.

• New York Now will find you the cheapest long-stemmed roses.
• FTD Internet
• Greet Street
• Godiva Online
• Valentine.Com
• Perfect Present Picker

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