Random Accessories
Neighborhood: East Village
Type of Place: Gift Shops
Description:
Phew! Three birthday parties this weekend, plus wedding gifts owed and even a "25 years of Bromance" celebration thrown in. (Great idea, actually--two guys celebrating their long-lived friendship. We should all have these parties!)
With gifts on the brain, I was happy to find Random Accessories, a charmingly crowded shop stocked with, yes, somewhat random objects sure to suit varied festive occasions. Laughter is a big part of things here--as it should be in life. To that end, check out the tin banks ($8.75) with sayings like "I'm saving up for more valium"; salt and pepper shakers shaped like terriers (so cute--and now on sale now for $6.99); whimsical baby onesies reading, for example, "Lunch Is on Me!" ($24); a book of "Seriously Bad Baby Names" (now on a great sale for $3; this with a onesie equals a memorably fun shower gift); and a dainty flowered purse reading "This Economy Sucks" (for the economy-friendly price of $4.50).
Adding to the randomness, and the affordability, are Smencils—"gourmet-scented" pencils made from recycled newspaper rather than wood (so they're environment-friendly, too!). They're $1.50 each, so splurge on a bunch; I especially loved the root beer and cinnamon scents. Or consider Poetry Dog Tags ($19.95): a set of 25 tags and 2 chains, for the creation of poetry you'll wear around your neck. And then there are the memorable "Jesus, Mary, and Joseph" votive holders ($9.75)
If you're feeling more traditional, there's a good selection of candles and frames; those cute and practical "Greek diner" mugs (porcelain copies of the paper "We Are Happy to Serve You" models, $12); and jewelry (I especially liked the hand-blown glass rings, $24).
As I browsed, customers milled in and out; one told me she's been going there for years to cover the majority of her gift-giving needs. If your loved ones have a sense of humor or a sense of style—or, most preferably, both—you might find yourself saying the same. - Pamela Grossman
Random Accessories
77 East 4th St
New York, NY 10003
(212) 358-0650
Map
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