Some local holiday shopping ideas, by Peyton Rohr

The holiday season has finally arrived. While the holidays bring joy, family, and good food, they can also bring stress about trying to find the right gift. Whether you’re shopping for a friend, significant other, or family member, this gift guide will help you find the perfect item for any kind of person in your life.

First up on the list is Yesterday’s News, an antique store in Carroll Gardens on Court Street. Open from 10 am to 6 pm on Tuesday through Sunday, this is a great stop to find something unique and thoughtful. The store sells a variety of vintage goods including cups, plates, jewelry, decorations, clothing, and more. Their inventory is stocked and very reasonably priced, making it easy to secure a special gift that can’t be found anywhere else.

Conveniently located across the street from Yesterday’s News is a little store that packs a big punch called Mexico In My Pocket which is open five days a week from 11 am to 7 pm Carrying candles, vases, ornaments, glassware, and handmade goods from Mexico, you’ll be sure to find something unique and giftable. The store and its items have an inviting chamthat would make a great gift. It’s difficult to find artisan-made items, but Mexico In My Pocket showcases a plethora of them.

Another great stop is Something Else on Smith Street which is open from 11amto 7 pm seven days a week. This store sells a variety of items like puzzles, clothing, candles, books, hats, and more. It’s easy to get lost in the shelves here because they sell so many items that will appeal to all kinds of people. Their fall and winter sweaters and jackets are particularly great gifts, as they come in a variety of styles and colors.

If you have a bookworm in your life, Books Are Magic is an essential stop to get them a gift. Featured in the New Yorker’s favorite book stores, this shop on Smith Street is both large and well-curated. If your loved one has a particular book they want, Books Are Magic will be likely to have it.

However, if you don’t have specific guidance, the store has staff picks marked by index cards riddled throughout it, making it easy to find a good book with little to no direction. It’s open daily from 10 am to 6 pm.

If you’re looking to give an experience, Raaka Chocolate on Seabring Street is the perfect place. It offers chocolate-making classes where you can learn how to make truffles or chocolate bars. This is the perfect gift for someone who doesn’t love receiving material items, or could be great for the couple in your life who is always looking for new date-night activities. Additionally, it sells chocolate bars, truffles, and hot chocolate if you have a sweet tooth or sugar aficionado on your gift list. Raaka Chocolate is open from 11 am to 4 pm Monday through Thursday and stays open until 6 pm on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays.

The Brooklyn Strategist is a board game store and cafe open from 9 am to 11 pm every day. If you are shopping for a board game geek, look no further. It sells classic games like Catan and Dungeons and Dragons, but also houses a variety of games that the board game lover in your life surely hasn’t played before. Additionally, it offers after-school programng and classes which could also make a great gift for someone in your life. Their classes teach kids how to play classic and new games ranging from strategy to role-playing games, and even comic arts. The Brooklyn Strategist also offers lessons and classes for adults, which is a great experience to give someone.

The final stop on this list is Tatter Holiday Market. Tatter is located on Carroll Streets and is open from 10:30 am to 3:30 pm and will be holding its annual Holiday Market. The Holiday Market is open 10:30 am to 5:30 pm on December 5 and 12:30 pmto 5:30 pm on December 6. The store focuses on textiles, selling clothing, fabric, and even embroidery and quilting classes. The holiday market will have clothing, exclusive items, antiques, and more. This is a great catch-all net to buy multiple gifts for your loved ones because there will be a variety of items at the market.