The Best Bet
With import bans pushing Caspian beluga-caviar prices into gold territory, other sources are emerging for the traditional champagne accompaniment. The four flavors of Tsar Nicoulai’s domestically raised caviar (truffled tiger eye, wasabi, ginger, and beet and saffron) might not go over with a hard-core purist, but they’re surprisingly delicious, alone or atop a toast point (the wasabi cries out for crème fraîche). And the beautiful colors will certainly brighten the holiday buffet ($20 for a two-ounce jar at Dean & DeLuca, 560 Broadway, at Prince St.; 212-226-6800; and 1150 Madison Ave., at 85th St.; 212-717-0800).
A Coat for Many Climates
The incredibly warm micromodal lining inside this trim coat snaps out and doubles as a vest ($450 at Sean, 132 Thompson St., nr Prince St.; 212-598-5980).
A Klutzproof Football
With new weather-resistant, stickier skin and finger grips, you won’t drop this ball during New Year’s Day’s touch game ($9.99 at Toys ’R’ Us, 1514 Broadway, at 44th St; 646-366-8800).
Cool Outside, Cooler Inside
The clean lines of this Albrizzi Lucite ice bucket look a lot better on the bar than a melting plastic bag ($425 at Jonathan Adler, 1097 Madison Ave., at 83rd St.; 212-772-2410).
Eat the Candy, Save the Wrapper
Yoyamart got ten animators and illustrators to design packaging for some of Chocolate Bar’s most popular flavors, including salty pretzel and dark-chocolate mint ($40 for the set; 48 Eighth Ave., nr. Jane St.; 212-367-7181).
The Next Neckwear to Have
Her delicate stamped-initial pendants were a runaway hit; now Helen Ficalora’s introduced these dainty bud-size bells ($95 to $200; 21 Cleveland Pl., nr. Kenmare St.; 212-219-3700).