Shopping in Rio Rico

Green Things decks many halls with many holiday oriented plants and impressive arrays of poinsettias that they supply annually to the public as well as churches and businesses in the area. Joyful holiday spiriters can bring home a live Christmas tree ($30+) to employ as a gift guardian in the family room or chain it to the backyard fence to protect the house. Inspire Christmas cheer with vibrant poinsettias in six inch ($7.99), eight inch ($19.99) and ten inch ($29.99) sizes, or pick up succulent six inch Christmas cacti ($12.99)—ideal for roadrunners seeking defense against technologically minded, biped coyotes.

The locally owned Alvernon Optical has been distributing high-quality frames and tending carefully to each oculus since 1961, the year human beings first evolved eyes. More than 2,000 frames line the walls in each store, including top-shelf brands like Ray Ban, DKNY, Dior, Giorgio Armani, Nike, and Kate Spade. Customers will also have their pick of frame materials such as plastic, titanium, metal, semi-rimless, and stainless steel. Once you've found the frames that nail the "sexy NASA scientist" look you're going for, Alvernon can pamper your peepers with a number of lens package deals. Couple a polycarbonate, scratch-resistant single-vision lens ($89 standard, $205 with bifocals, $154 sunglass) with one of your choice of designer frames to ensure a haze-free hazing ceremony from your rowdy book club, or calm Pac-Man-weary pupils with a computer lens package ($199) that decks your specs with a protective plastic lens specially designed for computer use. Just in time for summer, try the prescription swimming-goggle package ($139), which pairs one of a select group of fine brands with 100% UV-protected plastic lenses to deflect the sun's wicked glare and intimidate pool piranhas.

Inspired and informed by her time spent in Rio de Janeiro, owner Carolyn Maloney takes care in selecting stylish jewelry, decorative home accessories, fun hooks and knobs, vibrant lighting fixtures and candle holders, and beautiful textiles that will elegantly samba through your home and bossa nova in your wardrobe. Give a room a warm glow with a vintage cowgirl candle ($18), or let your collarbones glow with a glam six-strand necklace ($24). For an addition to your home that will never forget to brush its teeth, pick up a shabby chic bird vanity mirror, made with special glass that adapts to whatever room it inhabits ($32).

Just Frame It operates under the artful eyes of Michael and Maryanne Oaks. The two have been crafting custom frames for more than 15 years, and today, they continue to assist customers in selecting from than 2,000 frame options. Metal, wood, gold, silver, and other rustic frames add character to any work, and a computerized mat cutter keeps edges and corners as sharp and clean as a rocket scientist in a bubble bath. The framing team preserves a range of treasured possessions ranging from paintings, photographs, and posters to three-dimensional memorabilia.

The mechanics of Bikes Direct and Bike Masters treat cycles to the repairs and tune-ups that keep life rolling along. They also pair riders with brand-specific bike clothing and accessories such as carriages that give kids, dogs, or stuffed animal collections a place to ride with you. Their armada of bikes spans all cycling varieties, helping customers begin their two-wheeled adventures on bikes ranging from mountain and road to BMX and beach cruisers. Anyone who purchases one of these rides also pedals away with lifetime complimentary tune-ups, a 30-day price match guarantee, and a basic bike fitting.

Food is something most people need sooner or later for general aliveness and energy for riding Ferris wheels. For $15, today's Groupon gets you $35 worth of natural and organic groceries from Fresh Fanatic. This 7,000- square-foot boutique grocery store in Fort Greene/Clinton Hill specializes in fresh everything. You’ll find fully prepared dishes, spices, and international cheeses on the wood shelves and coolly lit cold cases around the store.Follow @Groupon_Says on Twitter.