Jaimie Julia Winters
From sports enthusiasts and Scottish friends to dog lovers, music fans, and even the hard-to-shop-for, Kearny’s downtown shops offer a world of gifts—perfect for spreading holiday cheer and finding something truly special for everyone on your list. Kearny Life shopped downtown in search of the perfect gift for everyone on our list. Here are our favorites.
For the spiritual one on your list
Sincerely Yours Cards & Gifts
862 Kearny Ave.
For the hard-to-shop-for people on your list, Sincerely Yours is a treasure trove of meaningful gifts.
Specializing in Christian and Catholic items, the shop is known for carrying those “rarely found” religious articles customers search for. Browse saint cards, crosses and crucifixes, statues, books, Bibles, and jewelry—plus cards, home décor, lotions, and hair accessories. Top sellers include Tyler Candle Company candles and teas from The Republic of Tea. Open all day Saturday, and 3 p.m. – 6 p.m. during the week.
For the music lover on your list
Paz Music Academy
484 Kearny Ave.
Share the joy of music this season. For four decades, Paz Music Academy has guided thousands of students on their musical journeys—from classical and jazz to rock, pop, and everything in between. A lesson gift certificate (Piano, Guitar, Voice, Violin, Saxophone, Bass, Drums, or Ukulele) is the perfect way to inspire a music lover. Lessons start at just $30 with easy online or in-person options and affordable instrument rentals.
Vinyl Addiction Records
7 Ridge Rd, North Arlington
Owner Dave Galgano has been a dedicated collector and self-professed vinyl “addict” for more than 35 years, and his passion shows in every corner of the shop. The walls and bins are packed with an extensive selection of records spanning nearly every genre—classic rock, jazz, blues, soul, punk, metal, indie, hip-hop, soundtracks, and plenty of rare and unexpected gems. If you’re searching for that perfect record for the music lover on your list, chances are you’ll find it here. It’s where vinyl lovers of all ages come to dig, discover, and connect over the music they love.
For the naturalist on your list
Brujita’s Healing Pantry
328 Kearny Ave.
For the naturalist on your gift list, the newly opened Brujita’s is a treasure trove of teas, syrups, candles, lotions, and oils. Christina—affectionately known as Brujita—brings the living traditions of Puerto Rican Sanse, Espiritismo, and Curanderismo to Kearny. Taught by her Abuela, she carries forward the sacred use of plants, ancestral ritual, and the art of healing. In her shop, she handcrafts folk medicines and prepares remedies to clear heavy energies, lift mal de ojo, soothe empaches, and restore body and spirit through baths, teas, tinctures, and protective blends. She’s also a skilled cafetera, reading coffee with uncanny intuition. With the soul of a folk witch, Christina merges plant medicine, ritual, and divination to create a space of healing, renewal, and empowerment.
For the dog lover on your list
Oh My Dog
351 Kearny Ave.
Look no further than Oh My Dog for that posh pet owner on your list. The store carries a range of boutique pet products, including exclusive accessories, apparel, and grooming items.
The boutique’s “exclusive” and fancy pet products inventory includes: dog clothes, dog carriers, harnesses and collars, and grooming supplies such as dog perfume and shampoos. They also offer grooming.
Bone Appetit Barkery
169 Midland Ave.
Owner Michelle Feurerstein is whipping up her annual holiday doggy basket—packed with pupcakes, truffles, and carob-chip cookies. It’s the perfect gift for any dog or dog parent on your list. Supplies are limited, so reserve yours now! $29 plus tax. Single cupcakes and grooming gift caertficates also available. Baskets ae by preorder only by calling 201-955-2306.
For the chef on your list
Kearny Library
318 Kearny Ave.
For the chef on your list, the Kearny Library has the “Kearny Farmer’s Market Cookbook”—a community-powered collection published in 2012 and packed with recipes inspired by the market’s fresh local produce. Inside you’ll find everything from bright Gazpacho to Sally Capobianco’s apple cake, Moira Crowell’s pineapple zucchini bread, Holly Capobianco’s rhubarb coffee cake, and Christine Jablonski’s raisin carrot salad. Proceeds support the Kearny Urban Enterprise Zone (KUEZ) and the Friends of the Kearny Public Library. Pick up a copy at the main branch.
For the soccer lover on your list
Soccer Post
256 Kearny Ave.
Of course, there is a store that caters to soccer enthusiasts of Soccer Town USA, catering to all the area’s soccer needs. The Soccer Post’s extensive inventory includes cleats, jerseys, balls, and more, and brands such as Nike, Adidas, Puma, Kwik Goal, and Mueller. From budding athletes to seasoned pros, they will connect you with a gift that reflects the universal love of the beautiful game.
For Scots and Irish on your list
The Piper’s Cove
212 Kearny Ave.
Colin and Joan have the perfect gift for the Irish or Scottish friends on your list. The Piper’s Cove—the oldest continually operating family-owned bagpipe and kilt shop in the U.S.—is filled with Scottish and Irish giftware, groceries, and sweets “from across the pond.”
Browse flasks and Quaich, children’s kilts and cozy Irish sweaters, Clara Irish Blessing pillow covers, whiskey glasses, preserves, marmalades, Christmas décor, stocking stuffers, and more. And if you’re looking for a truly special gift, Joan can help you choose a traditional kilt from hundreds of authentic plaids, while Colin can help with all your bagpipe needs.
For that special someone on your list
The Kearny Gold Store
181 Kearny Ave.
Jewelry never goes out of style—especially when it’s for someone special. Owner Joseph Labrincha says this year’s standout trend is lab-grown diamonds: ethically produced, free from the social and environmental costs of traditional mining, and far more affordable. With gold prices soaring, sterling silver is also having a moment, now made even better with tarnish-resistant rhodium plating. Kearny Gold also stocks Bulova and Citizen watches, while G-Shock remains a top pick for outdoor enthusiasts and emergency workers, Labrincha adds.
For the Perfumista on your list
I love Perfume
125 Kearny Ave.
Discover your signature scent at I Love Perfume. It carries hundreds of fragrances from all over the world for both men and women, and offers a wide range of unisex scents all at a discount price. Visit the shop to experience the different levels of scents for your loved one: Parfum for the highest concentration of fragrance that is pure luxury with lasting intensity in every spray; Eau de Cologne for a clean, invigorating lift that is light and airy; and Eau de Toilette for a vibrant, modern scent with a crisp, everyday feel that is easy to wear. Elixir perfumes – potent blends that leave an unforgettable impression – are also offered.