Stocking Stuffers

Leopard print totes, set of three; $52.00; @ www.neimanmarcus.com [1].

by Ki Hackney

Ahhh, those sweet childhood memories of monogrammed stockings overflowing with funny-shaped presents, each wrapped in white paper and tied with a big fat red ribbon or thick red yarn that. In our family, Santa left those annual treasure chests by our beds so Mother and Daddy could sleep at least until dawn. What was in all those little squares, tubes, rectangles, and balls? Everything from hand-warmers, face cream and toothbrushes to a gem-studded charm or Granny’s pinky ring. And there was always a treat, whether a chocolate-covered caramel or a little bag with a handful of salted, roasted pecans.

Last week we decided to fill up a NYSD stocking and went on a NYC-style shopping trip. The city is magical at this time of year whether taking in those winter white wonderland windows at Bergdorf’s, the colorful fun at Barney’s or the musical theme at Bloomies. Smaller stores everywhere are aglow with lights, greenery and special displays. Then there are those angels and the tree at Rockefeller Center and those twinkling trees running up Park Avenue.

But our job was shopping and shop we did; filling an XXXL legwarmer in the process with jewelry from Verdura and JANIS by Janis Savitt for the toe, a colorful camera case (yes, we succumbed to a few online orders while having a cup of that delicious Viennese hot chocolate at the new Demel outpost in The Plaza), cosmetic brushes, one of those body-hugging nightgowns, even a gift or two for our favorite guy.

Paul Stuart cashmere blend basic hosiery, $49.50 each; @ Paul Stuart, 10 East 45th Street, 212-682-0320; www.paulstuart.com [2].

Catwalk’s own-design price tags in Sterling silver, Sterling silver with 18-carat gold or Sterling silver with gold vermeil, $225 - $400; @ Catwalk Couture, 933 Lexington Avenue, 212-249-5066.

How to Read Buildings by Carol Davidson Cragoe (Rizzoli, 2008); $22.00
How to Boil a Flamingo by Alison Vale and Alison Rattle (Prion, 2006), $14.00
The Arts of Tuscany by Marina Belozerskaya (Abrams, 2008), $50.00
I’ll Never Be French by Mark Greenside (Free Press, 2008), $24.00
All from Archivia Books, 993 Lexington Avenue, 212-570-9565.

Pol Roger was Sir Winston Churchill’s favorite champagne and the vintner produced pint bottles of the bubbly just for his consumption. Today, the Pinot-Noir dominant champagne is known as Cuvée Sir Winston Churchill; $305.00 per bottle; @ 1-877-spirits.com [3].

Above: Verdura’s diamond, platinum and gold twisted horn earclips, $49,500.00; @ Verdura, 745 Fifth Avenue, 212-758-3388.

Left: Verdura’s criss-cross cuff bracelets in gold, white gold or rose gold, $9,900.00 each; @ Verdura, 745 Fifth Avenue, 212-758-3388.

Straight-edge razor of Bocate wood, $225.00; Sandalwood shaving cream, $22.00; and Pure Badger and Fushion Chrome shaving brush, $75.00; @ The Shops at Columbus Circle in the Time Warner Building, 10 Columbus Circle, 212-823-9410 or www.theartofshaving.com [4].

Fendi peace sign key ring, $190.00; @ Barney’s 660 Madison Avenue, 212-826-8900, www.barneys.com [5].

Business card case in dark green crocodile, $425.00; @ Barney’s 660 Madison Avenue, 212-826-8900, www.barneys.com [6].

Jonathan Adler Piggy Bank in blue (also available in pink), $132.00; @ Barney’s 660 Madison Avenue, 212-826-8900, www.barneys.com [7].

Magnetic desk dots organizer, $20.00; Faces of the moon stress balls, set of 4, $130.00; BBQ Salt and Pepper shakers, set of 2, $20.00. All available at www.uncommongoods.com [8].

Jay Strongwater elephant wine stopper. From the Jungle Collection. Hand-painted enamel over metal. Hand-set with Swarovski® crystals. Ivory tusks, $195.00.

Janis by Janis Savitt crystal ball necklace. 18-karat yellow gold-plated brass chain. Three strands of crystal beads. Box snap clasp, $900.00.

Bobbi Brown limited edition mini brush set, $55.00.

All available @ Bergdorf Goodman, 754 Fifth Avenue, 212-753-7300, www.bergdorfgoodman.com [9].

Rosemary Pecans; $36.00; Handkerchiefs, set of 10; $20.00; Christmas Petit Fours, $34.00. All available @ www.neimanmarcus.com [10].

Hot pink body rib chemise, $44.00; @ Saks Fifth Avenue, 611 Fifth Avenue, 212-753-4000 or 877-551-7570 or www.saks.com [11].

Short black jersey chemise with satin ribbon by Joelle, $192.00; @ Saks Fifth Avenue, 611 Fifth Avenue, 212-753-4000 or 877-551-7570 or www.saks.com [12].

Hanky Panky Silky Skin Chemise, $89.00; @ Saks Fifth Avenue, 611 Fifth Avenue, 212-753-4000 or 877-551-7570 or www.saks.com [13].