By Lisa Fogarty
Manhattan can keep Fifth Avenue. Queens has, hands down, the best shopping malls in all of the five boroughs – and the holidays are an ideal time to take advantage of our little secret. Whether you are looking for convenient gift shops or a place to take the kids to see Santa Claus, these titans have everything you need. Here are just a few picks for great local mall offerings.

Atlas Park is my latest shopping obsession. They seem to have thought of everything: quality apparel shops, fresh markets, 11 eateries and even a movie theater. Believe it or not, the outdoor layout only enhances the holiday feeling.

The Shops at Atlas Park
80-00 Cooper Ave.
Glendale, NY
(718) 326-3300

Visit Santa Claus
Where: The Market Plaza
For a full schedule call (718) 326-3300 or visit theshopsatatlaspark.com

Santa Paws at Atlas Park
Saturday, Dec. 13 from 6 p.m.-8 p.m.
Get your pet in the holiday spirit by bringing him (or her) to the Atlas Mall (holiday costume optional) for a day of fun and charity. You’ll win a free key chain when you donate a can of food to Bobbi and the Strays, and can enter the Santa Paws Raffle for a chance to win a pet-themed basket from Crazy for Animals.

The Paw-Fect Chanukah
Sunday, Dec. 28
from 3:30 p.m.-5:30 p.m.
The Shops at Atlas Park and the Queens Jewish Community Council are hosting a day of entertainment, prizes, discounts, latkes, and the traditional lighting of the Menorah. The first 100 attendees will receive a Pawfect Chanukah gift bag and 10 percent of the proceeds will go to the Queens Jewish Community Council.

The Fair: Everything for the Home
Yes, you can get your toaster, roast pan and oven mitt here. But the real reason why this shop is a holiday favorite is because they don’t neglect the best part about hosting a holiday dinner – decorating. Get in the spirit with holiday plaid and jacquard tablecloths, napkins and placemats, Lenox crystal ornaments, bowls and candle holders, and scented Colonial Candles with names like Fresh Mistletoe, Cinnamon, and Gold, Frankincense and Myrrh.

Frankie’s Playce Toy Store
It’s hard to imagine Frankie’s falling victim to the usual holiday wear and tear that comes when candy cane-fed children rip through the store. It’s neat, orderly and clean, with an entire section of well-stocked workbooks and educational toys.

Queens Center Mall
90-15 Queens Blvd.
Elmhurst, NY
(718) 592-3900
Queens Center is one of those rare local shopping institutions that get better with age. One thing you can always count on – they don’t skimp when it comes to the holidays.

Photos with Santa Claus
To view Santa’s schedule and photo prices call (718) 592-3900 or visit shopqueenscenter.com.

Breakfast with Santa
Saturday, Dec. 6 from 8 a.m.-10 a.m.
Santa Claus will be toting quite a few games and prizes in his knapsack when he spends a little quality time with the Q Kids Club Members. If your child (under 10) is not a Kids Club member and you’d like to sign up, visit Guest Services, Level 2, JCPenney wing for more information.

Pet Photos with Santa
Sunday, Dec. 7 from 7:30 p.m.-9:30 p.m. and Dec. 14 from 7:30 p.m.-9:30 p.m. on Level 3, JCPenney wing.

Gifts For Us – Kiosk located on the Third Floor
These adorable hand-made tree ornaments can be personalized while you wait. Engrave your families’ names on a “My Family Tree” ornament or give new parents a special little gift by adding their little one’s name to the “Proud Parents” ornament.

The Flushing Mall
133-31 39th Ave.
Flushing, NY
(718) 762-9000
You won’t be bombarded with holiday decor here, but you will find plenty of well-priced shops that will give you great gift ideas.

Pharaohdise Collectibles
Want to see your child’s face light up? Let him or her loose in this candy shop of baseball, World of Warcraft, Yu-Gi-Oh and Naruto memorabilia and trading cards.

Urban Couture
What do you get the person who has everything – including a twisted sense of humor? How about a fuzzy, yellow, duck-shaped toilet cover? Or a lovably hideous snaggletooth stuffed monster? This little shop teems with unique gifts.

Mets Memorabilia Kiosk
Flushing pays tribute to its beloved Mets with this kiosk that is part exhibit, part shop. Load up on Mets jackets, T-shirts, caps, keychains, posters and 3D pictures.

Bay Terrace
29th Ave. & Bell Blvd.
Bayside
The original outdoor Queens mall, this spot has a wide selection of chain stores and local shops dedicated to serving not just the residents of Bayside, but the entire borough of Queens.

Barnes & Noble
Though there are a few in the area, this B&N at Bay Terrace is a gem, with the service and comfort you have come to expect from the giant bookseller, this spot is always a great place to find that extra holiday something special.

Christie & Co.
More than just a place to get your hair cut, Christie & Co. offers spa treatments, facials, botox and everything to get you prepared to knock ’em dead when you walk in to your company or family’s holiday party.

Yankee Candle
Looking for the way to get your home smelling like the holidays? Try one of their many scented candles in such scents as Autumn Wreath, Christmas Cookie, Mistletoe, Pomegranate Cider and Pumpkin Pie.