A Greene Hill Guide to Last-Minute Holiday Shopping

Some shoppers start making holiday gift lists in July, pre-ordering those hard-to-get items in October and sensibly tailoring their budgets for the best in November.

And then there are the rest of us—Brooklynites like Natalie Corr, shopping at Dekalb Market on Monday afternoon.

"Right now I'm calm, though I'm just only now getting started," she said. "I'll probably freak out when it's Saturday."

So to help those regularly behind the holiday gift-giving 8-ball (yes, we're looking at you, Natalie!), here's a shortlist of unique items from local small retailers for even the most impossible-to-please loved ones.  

Amaya Designs, , 138 Willoughby St., Fort Greene-adjacent
Last-minute gift pick: Sterling Silver bracelet, $60.
Honorable mention: Sterling Silver Mask Earrings, $110.
Hours: Market open daily, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Owner Stacey Ford sells a selection of mostly sterling silver jewelry made by workers in Bali and Thailand—and according to Ford, business has never been better. "Gold is so expensive now," she said at her 'pop-up' location at Dekalb Market on Monday. "And sterling silver goes with anything." Agreed.

, 432 Myrtle Ave., Clinton Hill
Last-minute gift pick: Brooklyn Brew Shop Make Your Own Beer Kit, $48.95.
Honorable mention: FOBOTS (made completely from found objects), $195-$510.
Hours: Tue.-Fri., 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Sat., 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Sun., 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Opened on Earth Day 2009, Green in BKLYN offers the enviro-friendly consumer more zero-impact gift options than they'll probably know what to do with. Tops on our list is an affordable beer-making kit, which considering the price of a pint of cold microbrew, could actually start paying for itself after only the first few batches. A close second is the FOBOT made entirely from existing materials by artist Amy Flynn of North Carolina.

Dr. Sofskin's Body Lotion Candles, Dekalb Market, 138 Willoughby St., Fort Greene-adjacent
Last-minute gift pick: Yummy-scented candles, $13-$40
Honorable mention: Soap, $8
Hours: Market open daily, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Extended hours on Christmas Eve.

With two locations, one in Bryant Park and the other at Dekalb Market, Dr. Sofskin's is not your grandmother's Yankee Candle. For one thing: all of the items on sale are edible—though shop watcher Sam Sabatelli recommends taking in the yummy or medicinal scent through the nose rather than shocking the family by chowing down on candlewax.

, 468 Myrtle Ave., Clinton Hill
Last-minute gift pick: Elephant necklace, $19
Honorable mention: Scarves, $10-$59
Hours: Mon.-Sat., 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Sun., 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.

For most last-minute shoppers, buying clothes for your great-aunt Sally in Wisconsin (the one you haven't seen in months) is probably not a good idea. Instead take a gander at Barking Brown's selection of animal themed jewelry—including an elephant necklace for a cool $19—which could make a unique gift for girls and guys alike.