Contributed by Aurora LaJambre, Catalogs.com Top 10 Guru

In a town filled with marvelous holiday distractions, if you only have a day or two to shop, the best shopping in NYC will ensure you cover everyone on your gift list.

With famous department stores, glorious toy shops and outdoor markets filled with homemade goods, New York City is an ideal place to create lasting holiday memories while finding the perfect gifts for loved ones.

Here are your top ten best shopping spots in NYC, and do enjoy a spicy hot cocoa or some candied chestnuts along the way.

10. South Street Sea Port & Pier 17

Situated on the southern tip of Manhattan, South Street Seaport and Pier 17 may seem out of your way, but once you see the expansive harbor views you’ll be glad this historic district is on the agenda. Stores along the cobble-stoned streets and Pier 17, include Victoria’s Secret, Coach and Crocs.

9. Columbus Circle Center

The shops in the Columbus Circle Center make up one of the city’s most stylish, attractive indoor mall. Large stars light up the center’s glass atrium against a backdrop of Central Park through the glass façade. In addition to Armani and Sephora, you’ll find specialty shops like The Art of Shaving.

8. Harry’s Shoes

From Columbus Center, walk north past Lincoln Center to Harry’s Shoes on 83rd Street at 2299 Broadway to hit up a local favorite. Established in 1931, Harry’s Shoes carries over 85 American and European brands of designer and comfort shoes for men, women and children.

7. Time Square

While Time Square can feel like part zoo and part circus, it’s also home to many flagship stores. Hershey’s Times Square is a chocolate-lovers paradise, while American Eagle Outfitters, Billabong and Quicksilver stores offer trendy garb for teens. Toys R Us store dazzles kids with a life-sized T Rex, 60 foot Ferris-wheel and 4000-square foot Barbie house.

6. Pearl River

Situated on Broadway just below SoHo in Chinatown, Pearl River is another local favorite for its low prices and fun variety. Here you’ll find gifts for crafters, novelty and Feng Shui items, ceramic tea sets and clothing- and that’s just the first of three floors. Enjoy a hot cup of tea in the upstairs café overlooking the store and don’t miss the terracotta statues and fountains downstairs.

5. Strand Book Store

For book lovers, nothing equals wandering through a good independent book store, and Strand Book Store is one of the very best. On 12th street and Broadway you’ll find 18 miles of new, rare and used books often at a discount. The ground floor spotlights bestsellers and staff picks, as well as calendars and journals for the writer in your life. Readers will also love the New York Times Gift Store filled with collectables, rare documents and fine art and photography prints.

4. Metropolitan Museum of Art Gift Store

After perusing the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s vast collection of art and artifacts, head to the gift center for a selection of educational gifts for kids, prints for art lovers and stylish jewelry. This is a store to put your list away and browse the aisles to see what jumps out. From Russian dragonfly pins to a scaled reproduction of The Thinker, pop-up books of super heroes and creativity kits, the MET gift store carries something fabulous for everyone.

3. Macy’s

No holiday trip to NYC feels complete without stopping by Macy’s. Inside you’ll find seven floors with accessories, shoes, and clothing. Don’t forget to stop by the basement for holiday-themed kitchen accessories, essential appliances like a fajita maker, and gourmet goodies. If you have kids in tow, try to make the seventh floor your first stop of the day for a photo with Santa without a long wait.

2. FAO Schwarz

Toy soldiers will gladly hold the doors of FAO Schwarz open for you on the southeast corner of Central Park. The lower levels are a spectacle of life-size stuffed animals, children’s books and rows of candy, while the second level is organized by interest with games, toys, dolls and costumes for kids of every age.

1. Holiday Markets

New York City’s holiday markets feature 70- to 100 vendors selling home goods, clothing, accessories and unique novelties. If you’re uptown, head to the southwest corner of Central Park for the Columbus Circle Market, in midtown choose between the outdoor market in Bryant Park that wraps around a free ice skating rink or the fair inside of Grand Central Terminal, or head downtown to the Union Square Holiday Market. They get crowded at night, but it’s hard to beat shopping under the stars, and there’s almost always a trio of musicians playing the holiday songs you grew up with.