Is anyone even buying gifts this year? All I’m hearing is that we’re gonna be lining up for bread any day now. But if you still have a couple of pennies to rub together and you’re searching for gifts that look great but cost less, here are a few shops around New York you may have forgotten about.

1.  Pearl River. The King of Chinatown! Ok, so they moved up to Broadway. You can really fool someone into thinking you paid a fortune for their gift if they don’t know this place. If they are familiar with it, they’ll thank you anyway: “Oh, I love Pearl River!”. Who doesn’t love Pearl River? They’ve got everything! Yes, it’s all made in China. But that’s because it’s a Chinese department store. So that makes it cool.

2. Sahadi’s. Mmm, Sahadi’s. When I want it to look like I spent a lot, I like to do gift baskets. Sahadi’s has top of the line gift basket fill. This middle eastern supermarket peddles coffees and teas, nuts and grains, cheeses and crackers. AND if you’re going to someone’s house for Thanksgiving, get thee to their deli section….olives galore, hummus and babaghanous, salads….

3. Trader Joe’s. I might be disappointing the fans, but I can take or leave Trader Joe’s. I’m not big on their food brand. What I do like though are their wine prices. Even if you don’t want to swing as low as $3 for a bottle of 3 Buck Chuck, you can do swimmingly on those $5 bottles! They also have a castile soap that’s just as good as Bronners.

4. National Wholesale Liquidators.  Need a basket for all those food goodies? National Wholesale Liquidators is like a luxury dollar store! Items are more than a dollar, but they are cheap! As the name implies, this is a liquidator, so you can (sometimes) find quality for less.

5. Flea Markets. From Columbus Avenue to my favorite Brooklyn Flea, where else can you get handmade or vintage items direct from the artisan or um, person who found the vintage item? Be sure to check out Brooklyn Flea’s Gifted indoor holiday show. But don’t forget those regular vendors freezing their arses off in the schoolyard! I’ll be back there December 7th. Dress warm if you’re covering outdoor markets!!

6. Street vendors. I have a little bit of an art addiction. I usually purchase my goods on the street because that’s where I can afford it. Where can you find the best street vendors? Near the Met, Union Square and near MOMA. I hate to take away from the artists at the paid holiday craft shows at Union Square and Grand Central, but we’ve all gotta start somewhere.

7. B&H or Adorama. If you’re looking for camera, digital or video equipment, these are the guys. Do not bother looking anywhere else! Take my word for it. I’ve been in the photography business for 20 years. Word.

8. J&R. Audio or computers. I know less about this than the cameras, but I’m pretty sure they still have some of the best prices in town. Oh yeah, they also sell CDs. Remember those?

9. Canal Jeans. It’s still around (the last I checked)! It’s located on Nostrand Avenue near Brooklyn College. That’s the Junction for all of you Brooklyn novices. Just a shell of it’s former self, but still…it exists. FYI: So does Domsey’s.

10. Museum Shops. Perhaps not the least expensive shopping source, but I always find lovely gifts at the Met shops, MOMA and Brooklyn Museum.