Lauren Wire

I’ve lived in New York City for over a decade, but like everyone else, I started out here as a tourist. I’ve bought the obvious souvenirs, the disappointing ones, and a few things I still wonder why I ever carried home. Somewhere between then and now — after years of living here and scrolling past accounts like @WhatIsNewYork, @SubwayCreatures, and @NewYorkers — I learned what actually feels like New York. The city has a very specific energy, and not every product gets it right. Some gifts feel lazy. Others feel spot-on. This guide is a curated mix of the ones that work — the New York–coded finds that go beyond the basics and are actually worth buying, gifting, and keeping.