I walked into Sole Food assuming that the shop sold rare sneakers—which is true, in a sense. Sole Food actually makes custom footwear, and while that includes sneakers (like this awesome “Canal Street” model that incorporates fake handbags and a fake Rolex), they’ll happily go farther afield. For a client who likes diving, the Soul Food team researched coral reefs and souped up these Fendi flats with a moray eel pattern. (Prices depend on what you want, naturally.) Starting tomorrow, the shop begins celebrating “12 Days of Christmas” with a party/event from 5 p.m. on; Ernest S. Hood will paint while Butta Beats provides a soundtrack. • 38 Lispenard (Broadway/Church), 212-941-7653, solefoodnyc.com.

Known primarily for furniture, Karkula also has some outrageously adorable one-of-a-kind beaded animals, made in Mogalakwena Craft Art Village in South Africa, established in 1994 as a way to preserve traditional techniques. The rooster, hen, and guinea fowl are $605 each, as is the frog; the chameleon is a relative steal at $490. Oluce’s indoor Stone lights, meanwhile, are $425–$800 (outdoor versions are available, too). • 48 Walker (Broadway/Church), 212-645-2216, karkula.com.

Steven Sclaroff‘s store is another one of those places I had never been inside before—and what a treasure trove it is! There’s far more than you can see through the windows: The space continues through a hallway, with a small room off one side and a much larger room in the back. I coveted everything, though the thing I loved most, the key below, wasn’t for sale. Most of my photos don’t do it justice, so I encourage anyone interested to pay a visit—but Sclaroff said that the store is often not open, so call first. Candlesticks: $195 for the pair; red stool: $1,450; boat $125. • 44 White (Broadway/Church), 212-691-7814, stevensclaroff.com.

Tribeca institution Let There Be Neon can also make whatever you want, or you can buy one of the designs hanging on the walls—or, for that matter, on the ceiling like this “chalk outline” ($900). My initials are EAT, so you can imagine the one I’d choose ($450), though the freestanding Chrysler Building is pretty damn wonderful. • 38 White (Broadway/Church), 212-226-4883, lettherebeneon.com.

This has been a rather expensive list so far, and there’s no relief at Donzella. But wow: Check out this 35″ by 35″ oil painting, Pursuit, by Joe Concra ($5,500). A larger Concra work, also of paper planes, is perhaps even more beautiful ($28,000). The shell-like glass lamps are “probably around $6,800,” said the clerk, but what’s a few hundred dollars either way? • 17 White (Church/Sixth), 212-965-8919, donzella.com.

Suddenly a $4 cappuccino doesn’t sound so bad…. I love the coffee at La Colombe Torrefaction; in my unobjective opinion, a bag of beans would make a lovely gift for any javaphile ($15). • 319 Church (at Lispenard) 212-343-1515, lacolombe.com.

When my nephew was very young, I thought it would be funny to give him a toy trumpet as a gift—until my sister insisted he put on a “concert” the next time I visited. So while I think Kidville‘s Finger-Painting Party kit looks like a cute gift ($26), be warned that you might get called upon to oversee a session. A safer bet, if not quite as much fun, is a Wooden Pizza Party ($22). • 200 Church (at Duane), 212-362-3923, kidville.com.

Previously:
• Broadway, Canal, Jay, and Thomas
• Greenwich
• Washington, Vestry, and Beach
• Murray and Warren