Sick of fighting feeding frenzies of crazed consumers while doing your holiday shopping? Pining for the traditional?
No worries – the centuries-old European custom of the Christkindlmarkt is a New World fixture these days, giving New Yorkers a sanity-preserving alternative to mall madness.
So bundle up and browse away at these holiday markets – perfect for your annual gift hunt.
* The annual Union Square Holiday Market, easily the most popular market of the season, collects more than 100 vendors on approximately 10 square inches of pavement (OK, a bit more than that) at the southeast corner of the park.
“I happened across the market by chance,” said Rebecca Pawlowski, 25, of Washington, D.C., while impulse shopping one recent morning. “I found myself in the Christmas spirit almost instantly.”
This year, a handful of vendors from German markets will be selling traditional items like nutcrackers and tree ornaments. That’s on top of the usual eclectic market mix – home décor from Indonesia, beeswax candles, Russian stacking dolls, wind chimes and clothes.
The verdict: This old faithful has little room to let off steam – maybe they could bribe the city to give up a few extra square feet of space.
* Though not quite as big as the one in Union Square, ringing in with just under 80 vendors, the mix at the Fetes de Noel market, spread out around the north, east and west sides of Bryant Park, is even more interesting.
The Ellis Island Immigration Museum, the Museum of Natural History and Earthworks, a shop selling NYC Transit-themed gifts are all here, making this a perfect one-stopper for the history and train buffs in your life.
Not to worry, though, there’s also plenty of traditional stuff – jewelry, candles, clothes and enviro-friendly items abound. And the Bryant Park tree, directly behind the library, is looking good, just in case this year’s oddly unsatisfying Rock Center version leaves you cold.
The verdict: Beginner’s luck? Who cares. The spacious feel, spectacular setting and mix of vendors make this the season’s most attractive market.
* The annual Grand Central Market is a bit more Fifth Avenue than the craft fairs they held at your old middle school – glass, pottery and art look better in the vaunted environs of Vanderbilt Hall, where this market is set.
The mix is decidedly upscale – Laura Graham, a local photographer, is showing a selection of vintage New York prints, the Municipal Art Society has a book store, and Pickett Fence, a small gift shop which is open summers on Fishers Island, does a December residence here.
If you find yourself mobbed, just wait.
Every 15 minutes, the Light Show comes to life on the Main Concourse, drawing shoppers away in droves. You then have approximately 10 minutes to get your shopping done.
The verdict: Classy. And almost classic. Even if you don’t buy, we consider this a must-visit.
* Austria’s been the scene of holiday markets for more than 700 years, and for the first time, they’re trying to reproduce the concept at South Street Seaport. Christmas in the Austrian Alps is definitely a low-key event, but, apparently, a taste of things to come.
“It’ll be a lot bigger next year,” says Daniel Kennedy, spokesman for Austrian Airlines, which is sponsoring the event.
Right now, a handful of kiosks selling an array of crafts – everything from Swarovski crystal and tree ornaments to hand-crafted wood, glass and pottery items – can be found on the dock leading to Pier 17.
Inside the atrium, you can have your picture taken with Santa Claus, who’s sitting in an airline seat, for free.
“Our Santa has a real beard,” Kennedy says proudly.
The verdict: It ain’t Salzburg, but the view is impressive enough.
Stop and shop
Union Square Holiday Market
14th Street at Union Square West, (212) 460-1200;
11 a.m.-8 p.m. daily; through Dec. 24.
Fetes de Noel
Bryant Park, 42nd Street and Sixth Avenue, (212) 472-1522;
Mon.-Thur., 11 a.m.-7:30 p.m.; Sat., 11 a.m.-8 p.m.; Sun., noon-6 p.m.
Grand Central Market
42nd Street and Park Avenue, (212) 340-2210;
Mon.-Sat., 10 a.m.-8 p.m; Sun., noon-6 p.m.
Christmas in the Austrian Alps
South Street Seaport, (212) 732-7678;
Mon.-Thur., 11 a.m.-4 p.m.; Fri.-Sat., noon-6 p.m.; Sun., noon-5 p.m.