December 18, 2007

It takes a village to find the perfect Christmas gift - or, in this case, it takes four. The city's four holiday markets are ideal spots to power through your gift list - but only if you know where to go and what to look for. Don't make a move without The Post's guide to NYC holiday villages.
The Holiday Shops at Bryant Park
Bryant Park, Sixth Avenue at 42nd Street (Mon.-Fri., 11 a.m.- 8 p.m.; Sat., 10 a.m.-9 p.m.; Sun., 10 a.m.-6 p.m.)
Indulge in some hot cocoa, watch the picture-perfect skaters and shop for local candles from the Long Island Candle Factory, skirts from Animated Closet or tunics and hoodies from Parable Ink - designers Angie and Cora make the elephant- and rhino-printed clothes in their Brooklyn kitchen. Eco-friendly fashionistas will be happy to know that Nahui Ollin recycled- candy-wrapper handbags have an extensive outpost and the Recycled Planet store has repurposed magazine mosaic bangles.