Photographs by Jeff Gurwin

Brooklyn Superhero Supply Co.
(372 Fifth Ave between 5th and 6th Sts; 718-499-9884, superherosupplies.com)
For godson
(age 4, obsessed with pirates and Superman)
Find superhero gear here, such as capes, binoculars and suction cups. Proceeds go to the free tutoring center 826NYC, accessed through a hidden entrance in the back of the shop.

Flight 001
(58 Fifth Ave between Bergen St and St. Marks Pl; 718-789-1001, flight001.com)
For mom and dad
(jet-setting to London in January)
The book Window Seat: Europe ($14.95), by Gregory Dicum, will help M&D figure out what they’re seeing from the plane, thanks to satellite images, info on sights and flight-path maps.

Flirt
(93 Fifth Ave between Park and Prospect Pls; 718-783-0364, flirt-brooklyn.com)
For brother’s girlfriend
(impeccable design taste with a Swedish influence; likes scarves)
Easy: She’ll appreciate Flirt’s one-of-a-kind, locally knit skinny and button-up scarves that transform into hoods ($20–$44). For someone with a bigger budget, a Skirt-tificate ($120) lets the recipient choose the style and fabric to create her own custom-made Flirt Skirt.

Sip Fine Wine
(67 Fifth Ave between Prospect Pl and St. Marks Ave; 718-638-6105, sipfinewine.com)
For roommate
(recently quit the corporate world to wait tables; loves good wine)
Sip stocks a small but well-chosen collection of lesser-known blends from around the world, and keeps your purchases on file to help you better hone your preferences. We bet the roomie will enjoy flaunting her newfound independence with a sipster T-shirt ($14.99) and a bottle of the Spanish Espelt Vailet Empordà ($15.99).

Bierkraft
(191 Fifth Ave between Berkeley Pl and Union St; 718-230-7600, bierkraft.com)
For brother
(used to be a microbrewer; just moved into a new apartment with girlfriend)
This store specializes in rare meats, fine chocolates and cheeses, and more than 1,100 beers. Even better, it allows you to combine a holiday gift with a housewarming present: Pick up a set of two Spiegelau glasses (stemmed pilsner, lager or wheat beer styles; each set $29.95).

Scaredy Kat
(229 Fifth Ave between Carroll and President Sts; 718-623-1839, scaredykatstore.com)
For mom
(retired biology teacher who excels at cooking big holiday meals)
Kitchen finds like smart women thirst for knowledge mugs ($12.95), serving trays ($15.95) and vintage-postcard pot holders ($10.50) will make Mom remember you when she’s cooking. Wrap them with sheets of artsy paper ($3.75 each); we like the greetings from new york print. If the giftees don’t shred them, they’re nice enough to frame as posters.
For BFF (lives in Massachusetts but loves New York)Stop here for custom cards, handmade jewelry and crafts, toys, candles and more. Katharine’s superpreppy BFF, Katie, can think of the city every time she dons a set of earrings featuring Lady Liberty ($28.95) or the Empire State Building ($42).

NEXT: Astoria»

Holiday gift guide 2008: On a budget
More than 200 ideas that don't look cheap.