December 23
12:01 P.M.
Cashmere Sportcoat by Thom Brown, $2,950
Bergdorf Goodman Men’s Store
745 Fifth Ave., at 58th St.; 212-753-7300
Hours: 12/23, 10–9; 12/24, 10–6
Commando Tip: Make sure to go to the men’s store, not the women’s store across the street.
1:15 P.M.
George Nelson “Desk Clock” From Vitra, $325
Barneys New York Chelsea Passage
660 Madison Ave., at 61st St.; 212-833-2060
Hours: 12/23, 10–9; 12/24, 10–6
Commando Tip: Use the 60th Street side entrance, then hit the escalator to the ninth floor.
2:45 P.M.
Stretch Satin and Lace Chemise, $168
Henri Bendel
712 Fifth Ave., nr. 56th St. 212-247-1100
Hours: 12/23, 10–9; 12/24, 10–6
Commando Tip: Use the Fifth Avenue door, dash past the beauty counters, and take the stairs to the third floor.
4:15 P.M.
Burberry watch, $425
Bloomingdale’s
59th St. and Lexington Ave.212-705-2000
Hours: 12/23, 9–11; 12/24, 9–6:30
Commando Tip: Enter via the Lexington Avenue doors and proceed directly to the escalator; it drops you in front of the Burberry counter on the second floor.
5:20 P.M.
AKC Pug by Steiff, $45
Fao Schwarz
767 Fifth Ave., at 58th St. 212-644-9400
Hours: 12/23, 9–9; 12/24, 9–9
Commando Tip: On crowded days (and, yes, December 23 will be crowded), the 58th Street entrance turns into an exit only. Leave that way.
6:25 P.M.
Versace Throw Pillow, $236
The Versace Boutique
647 Fifth Ave., nr. 52nd St. 212-317-0224
Hours: 12/23, 10–6:30; 12/24, 10–6:30
Commando Tip: This shop gets a lot of tourist traffic; serious hunters might try the 815 Madison Avenue store.
7:10 P.M.
William Yeoward Gold Painted Trays, from $95
Saks Fifth Avenue
611 Fifth Ave., at 50th St. 212-753-4000
Hours: 12/23, 10–8:30; 12/24, 10–6
Commando Tip: Use the side entrance on 49th Street, bypassing the crowds in cosmetics. Skip the elevator, and take the central escalator to the eighth floor.
December 24
8:30 A.M.
Chanel No. 5 Eau de Parfum, 3.4 oz., $110
Macy’s Herald Square
151 W. 34th St., nr. Broadway 212-695-4400
Hours: 12/23, 7–10; 12/24, 7–6
Commando Tip: Arrive as early as possible, use the Broadway doors, and stick to the main floor.
9:15 A.M.
Cashmere Gloves, $43, Scarf, $86, and Hat, $43
Lord & Taylor
424 Fifth Ave., at 38th St. 212-391-3344
Hours: 12/23, 9–11; 12/24, 7–6
Commando Tip: As at Macy’s, don’t venture above the main floor—or you may never get back down.
11:15 A.M.
V.Smile Tv Learning System from V-Tech, $59.99
Toys ’r’ Us Times Square
1514 Broadway, at 44th St.646-366-8800
Hours: 12/23, 9–11; 12/24, 9–6
Commando Tip: Don’t get distracted by the carousel, go directly to the escalators.
12:30 P.M.
Rabitos Chocolate-Dipped FigBonbons, $8.99 for nine pieces
Whole Foods Market
250 Seventh Ave., nr. 24th St.212-924-5969
Hours: 12/23, 8–11; 12/24, 7–7
Commando Tip: It’s bound to be packed, but those checkout referees will keep the lines moving. Use this opportunity to pick up some lunch for yourself.
1:15 P.M.
Krups Twelve-Cup Coffee Machine, $125
Bed, Bath & Beyond
620 Sixth Ave., at 18th St.212- 255-3550
Hours: 12/23, 8–11; 12/24, 8–6
Commando Tip: Go online beforehand to choose a product. Call the store to have it put on hold for you.
2:10 P.M.
Cressi-Sub Matrix Mask, $73.95, Cleo Fins, $26.95, and Sigma Snorkel, $34
Paragon Sports
867 Broadway, nr. 18th St.; 212-255-8036
Hours: 12/23, 9–9; 12/24, 9–7
Commando Tip: Wear nonslip shoes: Elevators are for the physically challenged, so the steep central stairs are the only way to move from floor to floor.
3:18 P.M.
Dean Harris Earrings, $450–$495
Jeffrey New York
449 W. 14th St., nr. Washington St. 212-206-1272
Hours: 12/23, 10–9; 12/24, 10–6
Commando Tip: Call on the way over for an appointment. Once there, they’ll rush you through.
4:05 P.M.
Votivo Candle, $26
Details
57 Prince St., at Lafayette St.212-965-9394
Hours: 12/23, 10:30–10:30; 12/24, 10–8
Commando Tip: The Soho branch will be the least crowded of this mini-chain’s four Manhattan stores.
4:55 P.M.
Fourteen-Karat Gold Barbell Cuff Links, $175
Doyle & Doyle
189 Orchard St., nr. Houston St.212-677-9991
Hours: 12/23, 1–8; 12/24, 1–8Commando tip: The staff will keep the store open as long as you want to shop.
5:45 P.M.
Voy Electric Bicycle, $449.99
Target
139 Flatbush Ave., nr. Atlantic Ave., Downtown Brooklyn; 718-290-1109
Hours: 12/23, 8–11; 12/24, 7–6
Commando Tip: From the Lower East Side, take the M train to Pacific Street (allow half an hour for the trip). Bikes are on the second floor, toward the back.
6:58 P.M.
Archos Av420 Pocket Video Recorder, $500
J&R Computer World
15 Park Row, across from City Hall Park; 212-238-9000
Hours: 12/23, 8:30–8; 12/24, 8:30–7
Commando Tip: Each department at J&R has its own entrance. The two side doors have the least traffic. Enter via one of those.
9:20 P.M.
Wrapping Paper, about $5;Bows, about $2
Duane Reade
Go to duanereade.com for locations
Commando Tip: There are 40 24-hour Duane Reade stores in Manhattan. Scout yours in advance.
11:59 P.M.
A Six-Pack of Paulaner Hefe-Weizen, $12.89, or Anchor Steam, $10.89
Local Deli or Bleecker Farm
272 Bleecker St., at Morton St.; 212-229-1587
Hours: Around the clock, and they deliver!
Commando Tip: As a last resort, raid the local deli for six-packs of premium beer. If you don’t give them as gifts, you’ll need them after a day like this.