In the gossip trade, it's usually wannabe bold-facers and publicists who tempt columnists to play nice with overpriced swag. But it was the other way around for New York Post gossip fossil Cindy Adams, who hit a New Yorkers for Children benefit party at the Links of London store in Soho Tuesday night. Feeling generous toward well-connected Democratic consultant Robert Zimmerman, Adams offered to buy the socialite pundit, who is regularly mentioned in her column, an early holiday gift in the form of a handsome $850 watch. (Though she did grill a Links salesgirl first, asking, "Do I get a discount?")

Zimmerman, perhaps savvy to the lurking spies, modestly declined the offer of a gift, but that didn't stop Adams from getting in the festive spirit, Grinch-style. As a Links of London rep detailed the good cause behind the evening's soiree, namely a charity that supports 17,000 underprivileged kids in the city's foster-care program, Adams trilled, "I'm not listening to this woman! If I have to listen to this woman, I'll kill myself!"