Manhattan is a place where fortunes are made and people dream big. Big lights will inspire you, as Alicia Keys sings, so you’ll need a pen (or pencil!) and paper handy to jot down all those golden ideas. CW Pencil Enterprise is the independent venture of lifelong pencil-lover and collector, Caroline Weaver. Her carefully curated Lower East Side store stocks a covetable range of pencils, accessories and stationery, ideal for energized Manhattanites. The selection warrants a leisurely browse, but our favorites include the pencil sampler sets and gorgeous Emilio Braga cloud print notebooks.

Price: varies depending on the article

In 2013, Manhattan was rocked by the arrival of one groundbreaking pastry – the Cronut. This hybrid confection gained worldwide approbation and made a celebrity of its inventor, Dominic Ansel. Today, queues still form regularly outside his flagship Soho bakery, and the Cronut reigns supreme. For something a little different, however, check out these cookie shots with Tahitian vanilla milk. Manhattan residents love to entertain, and what better way to end a meal than with soft chocolate chip cookies? They could always save the milk and opt for something stronger if preferred!

Price: $34.50

We don’t want to badmouth the size of the average Manhattan apartment, but suffice to say that a washer and dryer are luxuries few renters will ever enjoy. Instead, each week, they’ll be lugging their laundry to the basement or the nearest wash-and-fold service. If you’re looking for a gift that screams “FUNctional”, this collapsible basket will make that journey all the easier.

It’s lightweight, sturdy, and ventilated to prevent smells. More importantly, however, it collapses flat for easy storage – leaving them almost enough room to swing a cat.

Price: $19.99

For those who find life in Manhattan far too cramped, Brooklyn offers space to breathe. Not only do apartment-shoppers generally get more for their money, some places even have a small backyard! The borough’s public parks also tend to be less overcrowded than their Manhattan equivalents, and residents enjoy free concerts and movies throughout the summer. For those wishing to do so in absolute comfort, the Lamzac lounger is a real godsend. Simply scoop up the air to inflate, fasten, and recline – anywhere. Surely the perfect gift for laid-back Brooklynites.

Price: from $29.99

The Borough of Churches is home to some of New York’s best shopping, and Beacon’s Closet is THE place to find standout vintage threads. Home grown and locally owned, the store has three Brooklyn outlets – in Greenpoint, Park Slope & Bushwick. Each is well-stocked with timeless looks and one-of-a-kind pieces, sourced with the thrifty fashionista in mind. Trawl the racks yourself or treat them to a gift card – it’s up to you. Since 1997, founder Carrie Peterson has championed sustainability and ethical business practices – so, either way, shoppers can browse with clear conscience!

Price: $34.50

Sustainability is also a major concern of this Brooklyn-based start-up. Channelling the borough’s rampant entrepreneurial spirit, 2nd Ground make useful products from ‘upcycled’ spent coffee grounds. These they collect from local cafes, before transforming them into a range of all-natural soaps and candles. The former come in unique coffee cup packaging and offer numerous cosmetic benefits thanks to their key ingredient. Better still, the company’s committed to working with partner charities that enhance community wellbeing – making this a gift that truly gives back. How very Brooklyn.

Price: $8

The population of Queen’s is the most ethnically diverse of any urban area on the planet. Almost half of its 2.3 million residents were born overseas, and an astonishing 56% speak a first language other than English. Such diversity is great news for the local cuisine. Indeed, while Manhattan and Brooklyn sustain the city’s Michelin Star-gazers and instagramming food bloggers, Queens has become a mecca for those in search of authentic international flavors. Andrea Lynn’s ‘Culinary Passport’ is an invaluable guide to navigating them – ideal for the borough’s adventurous foodies!

Price: from $19.99

In Long Island City, the Noguchi Museum is the jewel of a thriving arts community which also encompasses MoMA PS1, the SculptureCenter, and Museum of the Moving Image. Founded and designed by the influential Japanese American artist Isamu Noguchi (1904–1988), the museum houses the largest collection of his life’s work, including original sculptures, drawings, models and designs. Members benefit from unlimited free admission, discounts and special invitations – so, why not treat your favorite art-lover? Trust us, they’ll find the serene sculptor garden an oasis of calm in the heart of the city.

Price: $80 for a year’s membership

Queens has claim to be Gotham’s finest swimming borough, thanks to its abundant public pools and beaches. Of the former, Astoria Park Pool is certainly the most impressive. Built in the 1930s, it offers cool relief to thousands of swimmers during NY’s sweltering summer days. Meanwhile, beach-lovers head to Rockaway Beach (it’s not hard, not far to reach) for their fix of sun, sand and surf. Keep their eyes protected from the salt and chlorine with a quality pair of goggles, like these from Speedo. Sleek-fitting yet comfortable, it’s a gift that’s sure to make a splash.

Price: $17

The Bronx is Yankees territory, so what better way to ingratiate oneself than by sporting one of their iconic snapbacks? The new Yankee Stadium opened in the borough’s Concourse neighbourhood in 2009, and thousands of becapped fans fill the stands each week. With a record 27 World Series titles under their team’s belt, they’ve historically had plenty to cheer about too. If you’re shopping for a baseball neutral, now’s the time to direct their allegiance. Yes, sport’s more fun when you pick a side – just be sure they aren’t from a Red Sox family!

Price: from around $20

While tourists flock to Manhattan’s Little Italy for passable pizza and overpriced spaghetti, locals know Da Bronx is where it’s at for true Italian-American flavors. Here, on and around Belmont’s Arthur Avenue, you’ll find authentic delis and artisans, many of which have been kept in the family for generations. The owners of Tino’s Delicatessen may be relative newcomers, but it’s still the best place for imported store cupboard essentials you won’t find elsewhere in the city. One of their customized gift baskets brings a touch of la dolce vita to any home kitchen!

Price: varies

Pitorro is Puerto Rican moonshine, traditionally made from sugar cane and to various family recipes since the 1600s. One such recipe belongs to ‘Tio’ Rafael Rodriguez, Master Distiller at South Bronx’s Port Morris Distillery. After being convinced to relocate from Guayama, Tio brought his years of expertise to the latest venture of nephews Ralph and Billy. The result is a real taste of the island and the Bronx (which has the highest Puerto Rican population of all five boroughs). Take it easy though – their Pitorro Shine is 92 proof!

Price: $30.99

Amid the forests, meadows, ponds, lakes and wetlands that comprise Staten Island’s 3000-acre Greenbelt, it’s easy to forget you’re still in New York City. More than three times the size of Central Park, the area is a haven for the borough’s hikers, bikers and nature-lovers – and, of course, they all require a sturdy backpack. Though its roots lie across the harbor, the Manhattan Portage ‘Greenbelt’ has been designed with these intrepid Staten Islanders in mind. It’s stylish, durable, loaded with features, and available in a range of bold colours. Go explore!

Price: $179

The free Staten Island Ferry service operates 24/7, bearing passengers back and forth between Staten Island and Manhattan. An invaluable lifeline for restless residents craving big city amusements, it’s also an open secret that some of the best views of Lower Manhattan and Lady Liberty are had on deck. For a closer look, pocket binoculars are the canny passenger’s alternative to those coin-operated tower viewers. So, save their eyes and their change with this lightweight, water resistant pair from OutNowTech – a longsighted gift if ever there was one!

Price: $44.39

Some ill-informed New Yorkers dismiss Staten Island as the city’s ‘forgotten borough’ – a distant, suburban wasteland of uniform red sauce joints and landfill. Locals know crazy talk when they hear it, however, and many are rightly proud of their borough’s accomplishments. With a SHADOWBOXING sweatshirt from the Richmond Hood Co., on Castleton Avenue, they can wear their pride while giving a shout-out to another native islander. It’s just like Wu-Tang’s GZA says - you know them Staten kids, they smashing!

Price: $55