It’s December 1st, and officially the beginning of the 2009 holiday season. During my childhood, it was always around today that mom hooked me up with one of those stale-chocolate-candy-filled advent calenders. Since we live in an online world, it would be impossible to send each of you an advent calender, so I figured a digital collection of daily gift ideas would have to suffice. Each item over the next 25 days will be New York City-themed (and handmade if possible). Why? Because there’s no other city in the world as magical during the holidays as the one we call home.

First up are these Five Borough City Blocks designed by illustrator and photographer, John W. Golden. Learn more after the break.

Each hardwood block (Queens, Brooklyn, Manhattan, The Bronx and Staten Island) measures 7/8″ wide by 3″ tall by 1/2″ deep. When stacked horizontally, the 5 blocks measure 3″ tall by 4 1/4″ tall.

These are a one-of-a-kind gift, and cost $18.00. Purchase them quickly, here.

If you have a NYC-themed product that you would like to be featured in The Jailbreak’s 25 Days of a NYC Christmas, send an e-mail with photos, description and where to purchase info to quincy@jailbreaktoys.com.

[Ed. Note: We're not trying to alienate anybody who celebrates other holidays. In fact, we're Jewish and unsure of what we celebrate. "The Jailbreak's 25 Days of a NYC Holiday Season" just didn't seem catchy enough.]