2018 WESTERN QUEENS GIFT GUIDE
The best picks from local businesses
1. Matted LIC
46-36 VERNON BLVD., LONG
ISLAND CITY
Matted LIC is the oldest retail business on
Vernon Boulevard in Long Island City, and
though you may recognize it (either from
walking by or from its name) as a picture
framing shop, they also have one of the best
gift selections around.
Owner Donna Drimer loves the holidays,
which is clear from her curated selection
of unique goods for everyone on your list.
They also gift wrap and label for free during
the season, so you don’t have to worry
about getting that perfect crease in your
wrapping paper on a bulky item. Leave it to
someone at Matted LIC!
Here are some Drimer’s favorite items in
the shop this year:
Imported Speciality Food Items from
L’Epicurien: From onion jam to truffle
mayonnaise, these delicious gourmet food
items come directly from France and range
in price from $8.95 to $25. The store has
been carrying them for the past four years
and they are beloved — perfect for a hostess
gift if you’re heading to a holiday party, or
for the cooking gourmand in your life.
“Font of Knowledge” Journal ($16.99):
Drimer is already restocking these special
journals because of how well they’ve sold.
BY CLAIRE LEADEN
Each page showcases different lettering
styles and fast facts, great for writers and
designers alike.
S’well Martini Set ($95): You may have
known that S’well bottles keep water cold
for 24 hours, but did you ever think how
helpful that would be for cocktails? Their
brand-new barware set will do just that,
ideal for your drink-mixing friends.
The Jewish Wisdom Ball® ($19.95):
Any celebrators of Hanukkah will surely appreciate
14 DECEMBER 2 0 1 8
The Jewish Wisdom Ball® — which
Drimer calls “absolutely hysterical.” A new
take on the classic Magic 8 Ball, the creators
promise “20 answers imbued with the vast
wisdom of our heritage … and once in a
while you could be told to put on a sweater.”
GIFT GUIDE
There are two types of people in this world: those who love holiday gift shopping, and
those who hate it. But no matter how you feel about it, it has to get done. Something that
may help lighten the load is knowing you are supporting amazing local business owners
while you do it, because shopping local actually allows money to recirculate within the
local economy significantly more than buying from chains does.
In order to make shopping a little easier with a wide range of gift choices, plus
encourage community investment, we’ve rounded up the best items from throughout
Astoria, Long Island City and Sunnyside. The recommendations come right from the
experts themselves: the shop owners and managers!
So, before you click in an order from a certain A-named shopping conglomerate, try
checking out the one-of-a-kind choices all around you:
Photos courtesy of Matted LIC