What’s more emotionally exhausting, a crazy presidential election plus a zigzagging stock market or another holiday shopping season in New York? Answer: Gotta be the shopping. This year’s “Holiday Gift Guide” attempts to make the hunt a little less fraught. We’ve assembled a catalogue of smart gifts tailored to the economy, unearthing hundreds of finds under $100, including zero-stress art supplies and secondhand treasures. And we’ve taken to the streets to cajole 182 real New Yorkers, from ages 3 to 82, into handing over their wish lists and letting us play gift genie. One thing nobody asked for, though they should have: this beautifully woven holly garland, heavy with red berries, from US Evergreens ($25 a foot; 805 Sixth Ave., nr. 28th St.; 212-741-5300). The wholesale florist quietly sells custom wreaths and garlands to retail customers. It’s just one life-simplifying solution among hundreds that you’ll find over the next pages.
100 Gifts Under $100 Poll: New Yorkers’ Gift Lists Books for Foodies Sparkly, Sticky Art Supplies for Kids Vintage Finds From Secondhand Stores Nine Charities That Need Your Help Dealing With a Tough Person on Your List