Junk
A pretty reliable rule of thumb: if you can think of something, anything, Junk probably sells it at one of their two Williamsburg locations. Essentially, it’s the thrift-store version of one-stop shopping: sweaters, furniture, a surprisingly extensive selection of old records, piles of strangers’ family photos, kitchenware, paintings, jewelry… you get the idea. An hour or two here’ll knock out at least half the people on your list, easy. 500 Driggs Avenue and 197 N. 9th Street, Williamsburg
Brook Farm General Store
Instead of oil lamps and pipe tobacco, this Williamsburg market carries everyday essentials for your average Brooklynite, like brass bicycle bells ($20), freezer-safe soapstone whiskey rocks ($35), and waxed canvas canoe packs ($210). And if you happen to have an inordinate amount of writers in your life (like we do), they’ll love kicking it old school with a trio of jazzy Postalco notebooks ($14-$26), sporting woven cotton fabric covers and chlorine-free mini blue graph paper. 75 S. 6th Street, Williamsburg
By Brooklyn
This place is particularly good for out-of-town family and friends (and we have yet to meet a dad who isn’t overjoyed to receive a jar of fancy pickles), but then, who doesn’t appreciate locally made goods, be they tote bags, adorable mugs, jewelry, or, yes, food that’s soaking in brine? The whole point of this store is to source from and support Brooklyn-based companies and designers (hence the name), so feel free to buy far more than you ever intended to and feel pretty great about it. 261 Smith Street, South Brooklyn