Gridskipper

Christmastime is approaching, and if you're a New Yorker, there's no way you've made it up to Macy's and maxed out your credit card just yet. Most likely, you'll go about your business from Thanksgiving though December 23, seeing movies, going out to dinner, and having drinks, without so much as a reindeer sweater or nativity chart in your mind's eye. But by December 23, many a New Yorker can be seen sweating the lines at Crate and Barrel, apprehensive as to whether or not they can stuff a suitcase with gifts in enough time to make their flight at LaGuardia (or their local dinner reservations, at least). To shop like a true New Yorker during this holiday season, here are ten Soho spots (all in a few blocks radius) where you can grab a gift at $50 for almost everyone who requires the goods.

How many artists do you know who've been crucified? As in nailed to a cross? British underworld dandy Sebastian Horsley did the whole Christ thing, had it filmed by Sarah Lucas to a soundtrack by Gavin Rossdale, and then fell off, ripping his hands open on the way. He's been a junkie, a whore, and a gangster's bit of rough, and he spent the GDP of a small African country on hookers and H. Harper Perennial publishes his Dandy in the Underworld: An Unauthorized Autobiography next March — one misery memoir that won't make it into Oprah's Book Club. More »

Frankly, I've had my fill of prawn and watercress sandwiches, but in London, healthy (vegetarian or vegan, forget about it) and affordable lunch options are sparse. After a Topshop binge or afternoon pint, check out Redveg — a politically charged alternative to those passive English sandwiches. For three or four pounds, you can scarf down a ChilliVeg burger, four varieties of falafel, or NoName nuggets; all of which are 100% vegetarian and free of genetic modifications (more importantly, three or four pounds). Though sparse in terms of seating, the best option (to avoid unsmiling staff and laminate images of Che Guevara with Redveg slogans on his forehead) is to pick up a bottle of vino at the Tesco Metro across the street (unless you prefer sparkling ginger) and head to Soho Square with a blanket. You'll have compensated for the shopping spree, sated the beer munchies, and given your stomach a prawn-free meal, all with the sterling in your pocket. I declare it a lunchtime revolution! More »

Set in London's Soho, Polka is so Sex in the City it hurts. Mod decor in sleek pinks and oranges reds, fruity drinks (the house bev is a slightly mutated cosmo), and a slightly more chill upstairs lounge make the place seem like it's definitely clutching at the C. Bradshaw Abroad demographic. If none of this offends, and you don't mind a crowd putting itself stylishly on display, you'll likely be quite happy here. More »