UPPER WEST SIDE — Need some Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa or other holiday gift ideas? Shopping doesn't have to include a frantic trip to the mall bustling past crowds and hauling heavy bags around all day — instead, treat yourself to a stroll down the picturesque avenues of the Upper West Side and cover your whole list with just a few stops.
We've selected great gifts at local stores within walking distance of each other that will work for just about everyone on your list.
BLACK TRUFFLE AND CHABLIS MUSTARD FROM MAILLE
Truffle and Chablis Mustard, $43 for 4.4 ounces, $68 for 8.8 ounces and $118 for 17.6 ounces
Maille
185 Columbus Ave., at West 68th Street
Nothing says fancy like the word "truffle," but the smaller size version of Maille's Black Truffle and Chablis mustard is not quite as steep in price as some of the other truffle items out there. Ideal for someone whose personal life you don't know a whole lot about, but who you nevertheless want to impress (read: your new boss), the mustard is available at Maille's flagship U.S. store on the Upper West Side.
If you want to be a foodie show off, you can note that the mustard's ingredients are black winter truffles from Provence and Chablis white wine from Burgundy. The mustard comes in a refillable jar at $43 for 4.4 ounces, $68 for 8.1 ounces and $118 for 17.6 ounces. If one jar of mustard doesn't look like enough, you can throw in a cute tea towel available at the store as well — or pair with vinegar, olive oil or another mustard. Let the "mustard sommelier" at hand in the store be your guide.
HANDMADE MATEUS CERAMICS FROM LA TERRINE
Mateus Ceramics, individual pieces range from $26 to $175
La Terrine
280 Columbus Ave., at West 73rd Street
Mateus' handmade ceramics from Portugal come in a range of rich colors that are easy to mix and match, from sand colored to a bold purple, depending on the recipient's taste. Pick up a set of mugs or dessert plates and pair them with homemade cookies or a hot chocolate mix for a lovely hostess gift. There's also a vase for $40 that you can fill with flowers (it's always a pain to go searching for a vase when a guest arrives with flowers.)
HAYDEN PLANETARIUM SPACE SHOW TICKETS FROM AMNH
Hayden Planetarium Tickets, $27 each for adults
American Museum of Natural History
West 81st Street and Central Park West
Not everyone wants more stuff to cram in their small apartment. For your giftees who revel in experiences and want to make the most of living in the city, gift them tickets to the Hayden Planetarium Space Show. The "Dark Universe" show, voiced by celebrity scientist Neil deGrasse Tyson, explores exciting discoveries about our universe and those scientists who are on the cusp of making them. If you don't want to commit to a specific date or time for the tickets, call the reservations office at 212-769-5200 and order a gift certificate, good for one year. Included in the show's price is access to the museum.
SUPERMAN POCKET SQUARE FROM NEW-YORK HISTORICAL SOCIETY
Superman Pocket Square, $24
New-York Historical Society
170 Central Park West
This pocket square adds a touch of whimsy — and perhaps.. super powers? — to a dressy outfit. The square is 11 inches by 11 inches and 100 percent silk. The square was designed alongside the "Superheroes in Gotham" exhibit that's open now at the New-York Historical Society.
SECRET HISTORY OF WONDER WOMAN FROM NEW-YORK HISTORICAL SOCIETY
"The Secret History of Wonder Woman," $16.95
New-York Historical Society
170 Central Park West
This paperback edition by Jill Lepore looks at the history of Wonder Woman and how it's intertwined with the history of feminism.
