Local Gift Advice From Bird

Haven’t gone holiday shopping yet? Patch got the scoop from local business owners on what to want and what to give. 

Jen Mankins, who owns Bird on Fifth Avenue between Second and Third streets, told us what she would love to receive from her husband from her store and what she would like to give from another. 

Mankins said that she would love for her husband to get her a Satomi Kawakita necklace, which is sold in her store.

“Satomi Kawakita is Japanese and based here is New York. The attention to detail on her pieces is exquisite. Also, rubies are my birthstone and I prefer them to diamonds any day,” Mankins said.

The necklace, which is a red blush of rubies set in an 18k gold disc pendant, costs $760. Also, it would go nicely with the gold and ruby stud earrings for $580.

In terms of gift giving, Mankins will stop by her favorite wine store in “all of NYC.” , on Seventh Avenue between 14th and 15th streets, used to be her neighbor for nine years before she moved her store to Fifth Avenue.

“They have the best selection of interesting wines and they are always at least a couple of dollars per bottle cheaper than everywhere else,” said Mankins. “I would ask any of the super-knowledgeable staff to help me pick out a case of wine, half red, half white with maybe a bottle or two of bubbly thrown in. It’s the perfect present for my dad, my husband or any of my best friends.”