Gifted Readers

The holidays are upon us, and as much as Social Climes would like to ignore them, we can’t. In a few weeks people expect presents and we have to come through. But this year we’re giving up malls and even catalogues in favor of shopping through the ads in The New Yorker magazine, where one can find an amazing array of . . . unique gifts.

For $152 you can give someone a membership in the Potato of the Month Club from New Penny Farm in Maine (Actually it’s only an eight-month deal; the other four they’re planting).

Or there’s “Cow in a Bottle” for $25 (“You’ll wonder how we got her into an uncut standard milk bottle!”).

For your favorite vegetable-lover, how about the Broccoli Pin ($35 in silver, $376 in 14-karat gold)? And for the person who loves to travel, there’s “The Toilets of New York” book for $5.95 (“If you’re in the Big Apple with a small bladder, you need this book!”).

No Prix Fixe on Antiques

More on the shopping front: We’re not sure what the economic forecasters would have to say about this, but many of Hollywood’s top-earning stars, including Robert Downey Jr. and Michelle Pfeiffer, have been among the regulars pleading, “Is that really your best price?” for antique treasures like garden chairs, velvet pillows, old maps and vintage toys.

It’s perfectly acceptable behavior at the new Chic & Cheap Emporium, which advertises negotiable price tags in this otherwise expensive neighborhood of Robertson Boulevard.

After those $100 lunches at The Ivy, these folks must like to walk down the block and bargain, bargain, bargain, even when money is no object.