Wrap up your Christmas shopping in New York
New York is one of the most festive cities in the world at Christmas time, festooned with street decorations and elaborate shop window displays, making it a favourite destination for a Christmas shopping spree.
Until recently, the US dollar was fairly weak against the pound, but with the recent economic downturn the pound has weakened, closing the gap somewhat. So is it still worth packing your woollies for a Christmas shopping trip to wintry New York? Apart from the pleasure of visiting New York at its most colourful and festive, the massive bulk-buying power of the US market means things are often cheaper there anyway. You can certainly buy some US brand products, particularly clothes especially dresses and lingerie, cosmetics and skincare, at far cheaper prices than you’d get them in the UK. And you can also find reasonably priced places to stay and eat, so you don’t have to spend a fortune.
The real shopping frenzy starts a few weeks into November, which can, at Christmas hamper your shopping progress — so leave yourself at least a couple of dedicated shopping days to fight the crowds.
New York Shops
As a tourist, you can sometimes benefit from extra discounts by showing your passport. Some big department stores such as Bloomingdale’s and Macy’s may offer 10% off on production of your passport, so it’s always worth asking at customer services.
Bagging a bargain
For good value high street goods head for Banana Republic for clothes; Walmart for discount products; Nordstrom for top clothing brands, shoes and accessories; Newegg, for computer hardware or digital cameras; Urban Outfitters for clothing, footwear and household goods; Old Navy for family fashion; and Dell Computers, where there is no customs duty on laptops or PCs. For cosmetics, skin care and fragrance try Sephora (which has 11 stores across the city) where you can stock up on American products such as Mac, Bliss Spa, Laura Mercier and Benefit at far cheaper prices than you’ll find in the UK.
For a real bargain, you could consider a visit to Woodbury Common Premium Outlets, a discount shopping centre about an hour north of New York City (498 Red Apple Court, Central Valley – see www.premiumoutlets.com). It’s home to around 200 shops selling mainly clothes plus shoes, handbags and other accessories, at clearance prices. Some but not all of them are from last season, including Burberry, Chloé, Dolce & Gabbana, Fendi, Gap, Giorgio Armani, Gucci, Jimmy Choo, Prada, Saks, and more. You can pick up some goods for around a quarter of the UK price.
Things to watch out for
Shopping Sales Tax in United States
Just remember when you look at price tags that in the US that the price shown doesn’t include Sales Tax, which is like VAT, and is only added when you get to the till.
Under European Union (EU) rules, there is a goods allowance of £320 (excluding tobacco and alcohol), on bringing items back to the UK from countries outside the EU. This includes souvenirs, clothing, electrical goods and perfume. For anything above this amount, you’re expected to declare the goods at the airport and pay customs duty. The amount varies depending on the item, how much it costs and what it’s made from, as well as 15% VAT. Some shoppers walk though the ‘Nothing to Declare’ exit illegally, with goods well over this value, and get away with it — but there is a hefty fine for those who are caught. See http://www.which.co.uk/advice/duty-free-allowances/outside-the-eu/index.jsp for more information.
Also, both shoe sizes and dress sizes differ to those in the UK, so if you don’t already know them, find out your US sizes (or the sizes of those people you’re buying for) before you go. You can use an online converter such as http://www.onlineconversion.com/clothing.htm.
Other things to do in New York at Christmas
While you’re shopping, don’t whizz through department store doors without pausing to take in the impressive Christmas window displays, each competing with one another for the most eye-catching design. Across the city you’ll also find a number of different outdoor Christmas Markets to browse for handmade gifts and seasonal foods.
For some festive fun, head to the outdoor ice rink at Rockefeller Plaza, and pose for a photo in front of the imposing Rockefeller Center’s Christmas Tree, which is decorated with some 78,000 lights.
If you still haven’t had your fill of Christmas lights, head to Grand Central Terminal for the high-tech wintry wonderland visuals projected onto the Astrological ceiling of the terminal’s Main Concourse. There is show every half an hour, between 11:00 and 21:00, for six weeks over the Christmas period. See http://grandcentralterminal.com/ for details.
