You want to give that festive, inexpensive present that will be unwrapped first on Christmas morning? Coffee’s your ticket. And since beans last months in the freezer, a bulk order can mean gifts galore plus a stash for your own chilly mornings. A few cheap cups:
Porto Rico Importing Company sells most roasts for $6 to $7 a pound (about $4 during semi-annual sales). In December, a sampler of four pounds of coffee in a pretty copper box will cost $29.95 (for $10, they’ll wrap your picks). Similarly, D’Amico Foods’ store-roasted coffees are $5.59 to $9.99 a pound (20 percent less during four annual sales). Cookies and candy and such can be added; a box of three pounds of beans and some candy is $33.
A winter’s worth of java is cheaper than a week’s tab at Starbucks if you order in bulk. Massachusetts-based Indigo has a vintage gas-fired roaster that roasts tiny batches of very choice beans. They’re pricey at $9 to $11 per pound but are about 30 percent off for five pounds or more. Kaffe Magnum Opus in New Jersey roasts for even less – usually under $7 a pound (on its Website, 1cafe.com, twenty-pound orders are half that). A Christmas blend and “Jamaican Me Crazy” (chocolate, caramel, and vanilla) are favorites.
Porto Rico Importing Co., 201 Bleecker St. (212-477-5421, and three other stores); D’Amico Foods, 309 Court St., Brooklyn (718-875-5403); Indigo Coffee Roasters (800-447-5450); Kaffe Magnum Opus (800-652-5282).
Picks of the Week
Theory trousers, knits, and simple dresses are 60 percent off, $40-$200. 261 W. 36th St., second floor (212-947-8748); A.E., M.C., V.; Mon., Wed., Fri. 10-6, Tues., Thurs. till 7, Sat. till 4.; 11/13-11/18.
TSE’s sale means at least 60 percent off cashmere and cotton knits for everyone, plus samples from TSE New York. 97 Greene St. (917-606-6795); A.E., M.C.,V.; Wed.-Sat. 11-6, Sun. noon-4; 11/15-11/19.
Maxx New York’s bags (patents, faux-crocs, etc.) are more than half off, from $75 to $160. 385 Fifth Ave., Suite 1010 (212-679-3220); A.E., M.C., V.; Mon.-Thurs. 10-6, Fri.-Sun. 11-5; 11/15-11/21.
Beth Bowley’s pretty, girly knits and dresses are 60 percent off, $20-$125. 611 Broadway, near Bleecker St., Suite 828 (212-674-2664); A.E., M.C., V.; Thurs.- Fri. noon-7:30; 11/16-11/17.
Amy Chan is taking more than half off her hip handbags, now $10-$200. 247 Mulberry St. (212-966-3417); A.E., M.C., V.; Mon.-Sun. noon-7; 11/15-11/22.
Tardini’s leather and alligator accessories are at least half off, from $25 (belts) to $2,500 (alligator weekender). 12 W. 57th St., Suite 1005 (212-664-1965); A.E., M.C., V.; Mon.-Fri. 10-6; 11/13-11/17.
Gym Source treadmills, bikes, weights, and gym accessories are 20-50 percent off. 40 E. 52nd St. (212-688-4222); A.E., M.C., V.; Mon.-Fri. 9-7, Sat. 10-6, Sun. noon-4; 11/18-11/25.
To Boot’s chic men’s shoes and boots (at stores like Bergdorf’s) are up to 70 percent off, $89-$499. 603 Washington St. (212-463-0437, ext. 5); cash only; Thurs.-Fri. 8:30-6:30, Sat. 10-6, Sun. noon-5; 11/16-11/19.
Diesel denim and more is all up to 80 percent off, $10-$300. 770 Lexington Ave., at 60th St., ninth floor; A.E., M.C., V.; Thurs.-Fri. 10-6; 11/16-11/17.
Check out New York Shops, our guide to the city’s best stores, including a five-month roundup of “Sales & Bargains.” On sale at newsstands now. To order a copy, call 800-496-7833 ($4.99 plus $2 shipping and handling).