december in nyc

one of my favorite pastimes is frequenting the holiday markets in nyc. now there are at least four locations where red and white booths are set up filled with many crafts and fun gift items. bryant park, columbus circle ,union square and grand central ( the only one that is indoors) . though some vendors frequent several of the markets, each location is unique and has its own aura.
though none of the markets are as cheap as amazing savings, there are some reasonably priced items to be found. the grand central holiday market is the most upscale, the other three are less so.
one of my favorite jewelry booths at union square is 3 fish. liat baum , the designer has some really funky and fun jewelry. semi-precious stones and sterling silver jewelry. im not sure how long this designer has been in business, but i do remember her booth at the 42nd street craft market years ago.
another favorite booth at union square and( once i saw them at columbus circle)is litchi accessories. they have an incredible variety of israeli jewlery. their specialty is israeli opal and israeli moonstone jewelry. they can be slightly pricey, although there is a range , and some stuff is reasonable. its fun just to check out the jewelry. its truly beautiful.
2 angels is another booth at union square with great stuff and a variety of prices. they also have a store on 67th street on the east side in manhattan.
alexia crawford and nemesis jewelry both started out at the holiday markets and the 42nd street craft market. together , alexia crawford and nemesis hit it big with laila rowe. when they were only doing the holiday markets and the craft market on 42nd street they had silver jewelry and semi-precious stones. nemesis had the most exquisite pendants .now laila rowe is mostly costume jewelry. though i miss their old inventory, i think its incredible that they hit it big with laila rowe.
the jewelry found in these markets are better than anything i might find at a department store, and many are whooping it up in these craft fairs right before they make it big and get their own store.
years ago there was an incredible booth at union square that sold handmade wooden clocks. they were alot of fun. unfortunately the woman who made them isnt there anymore. there is another booth that makes handmade wooden clocks and travel alarm clocks called pink cloud. this booth is in bryant park this year.
framed memories is a vendor at bryant park that has the most unusual picture frames. they feature action figures on the frame . some frames have action figures who look like they are viewing the picture in the frame. there is a frame with a flasher facing the frame. there are lots of romantic frames as well. a just married couple on the frame, a proposing couple on a frame, and a couple on a bridge. there is an adorable bud vase that looks like a glass tube left over from chemistry class with a cute couple on either side .
this year there is a booth at union square that sells solar powered flashlights and cell phone chargers as well as crank flashlights and radios. these are amazing items. no need to buy batteries. i remember the blackout in new york a few years ago. its nice to be prepared.
our name is mud usually has a booth at all of the markets. they have alot of jewish themed gifts , like latke platters and even matza platters.
hands for peace t-shirts that feature the hamsah are back at union square . they are quite unique. if the vendors know you are jewish they will show you the cool hebrew phrases and jewish symbolism in their t-shirts.
there are many more cool booths to check out at these markets, ill let you know when ive checked them out.
its especially fun going to these holiday markets as a jewish person. im mostly buying gifts for myself, or for others for the rest of the year. i do buy a few Hanukkah gifts, as well as holiday gifts for co-workers, but for the most part its just a time to enjoy looking at unique gifts and chatting with alot of fun and creative people.