Shop away for sleep-away necessities at this gifty-meets-practical store
When thinking up NYC hotspots of kiddie wonderment, places like Dylan’s Candy Bar, Serendipity, F.A.O. Schwarz, and Mary Arnold Toys will probably come to mind. But there is another secret treasure trove that moms will adore: Love Laura Gifts.
The store’s website is obviously 24/7 but you can also make an appointment to see the curated prezzies in the flesh at the trend-packed, upper east side showroom. The kaleidoscopic array of personalized gifts includes monogrammed diaper bags, stationery, cashmere throws, coasters, kids’ party favors, and even—drumroll please—sleep-away necessities. If your kiddo is heading off this summer, a visit to this place (and a chat with owners Laura Theodoros and Jodi Zgodny, both summer camp enthusiasts) is a must. With bunk junk, useful items (flip-flops, tank tops, name labels), not to mention Jodi’s helpful packing tips, your child will be armed with everything he or she needs.
Both Jodi and Laura have learned about kids’ needs from experience. “We are mothers first, but why not have time for everything?” says Jodi, adding that her children (Jordan, 12, Dylan, 9, and Logan, 6) as well as Laura’s (Maya, 11, and Miles ,8) have learned by watching their industrious moms in action. What’s more, four of their five nuggets are campers themselves. “We are consummate camp believers!” says Jodi, who also ships gift baskets, visiting day bundles, and care packages galore from the store. “Sleep-away camp is the perfect place to reinvent yourself, through making your bed and sliding down ziplines.”
With Love Laura’s selection of stuff, you can be confident your kid will be just fine, and Jodi has testimonials to prove it: “We consistently have families tell us they feel ‘ahead of the game’ after shopping with Love Laura Gifts.”
