Abigail Dunlap, Reporter
Graphic by Abigail Dunlap
With the start of the holiday season comes a strong wave of gift shopping for loved ones. The gift that you buy and the personalization to each receiver of said gift is a way people show their appreciation for others. The holiday season and promise of hot chocolate is coming, but so is the pressure for the perfect gift.
However, while many see this as a great opportunity to embrace the online shopping frenzy, looking at businesses and products in person can make that much of a difference for product quality.
It seems intimidating when you think of embracing NYC’s scary shopping season on some of the craziest days of the year, but there is a reason Macy’s is so famous that they have their own parade.
If you have been hearing the buzz on technology, it’s for a good reason. Stroll through Walmart anytime in the December timespan and you will be overwhelmed with flash sale signs. Walmart Christmas clearance is an annual multiweek sale where seasonal items get markdowns of 50% – 90% in stores.
One of the best locations to travel to in NYC for a great shopping day would have to be in the famous SoHo area, filled with trendy fashion, streetwear & accessories. SoHo transforms into a holiday hotspot packed with popular shops, including: Nike, Adidas, Aritzia, Brandy Melville, Pacsun, Zara, Edikted, Princess Polly, and so much more! All of these shops will give you a great discount and more importantly, a great time!
My personal recommendation for shopping on the south side would have to be the Reformation flagship store. It has a really big space with unique and high quality fashion pieces. Reformation alone has a rare 25% off sale, so it is definitely worth popping in. It can be more beneficial to go to the in person store as well considering a lot of shops will offer in-store discounts that aren’t available online.
Our next stop is the famous Midtown/Herald Square, which is brimming with bustling gift giving ideas and holiday cheer. This is best for all-in-one shopping with a classic NYC winter energy.
This area is home to Macy’s Herald Square on 51 W 34th Street, or more generally near 6th Ave and Broadway. December here is a full event – decorations, big crowds, and huge markdowns across clothes, shoes, beauty products, jewelry, home items, and stocking stuffers. Although Black Friday is said to be the day of shopping, the weeks around it consist of thousands of discounts available too.
Plus, right nearby are clothing and shoe stores including H&M, Forever 21, Victoria’s Secret, Foot Locker, and JD Sports.
What I have recommended here does not embody the entire city-wide sale, to find out more about this great day go and experience the deals yourself!
