Recently in Gift Guide Category

So it's getting down to the wire, and you still have those small last minute gifts to get. I totally know the feeling. I've been there. Yesterday.

It's best to have a game plan, of course. You don't want to get stuck spending a fortune on these little tid-bit-gifts. Don't be afraid to buy a lot of small things in multiples. Here are a couple of last minute ideas I had, that maybe you will find useful.

1) Chocolate bars- Whenever I unwrap a chocolate bar, I get that wonderful thrill of discovery and joy. I think it's perfecty captured in the original movie version of Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, when Charlie gleefully opens his birthday bar. I, too, am always looking for my golden ticket, but that is another story. These days chocolate is the new coffee, and you can find it in every which way, from country of origin (terroir is tres francais,), mixed with everything from your run of the mill nuts to bacon, to percentage of cocoa to mixers (the darker, the bitterer.) I'd go for a mix of fun, pretty wrappers and flavors. And how luxurious to have many to choose from! At a small dinner party I was at recently we had a great time passing them around tasting them. What could be more fun? Dean and DeLuca has a lovely assortment, and you can get six of their in house bars for 12$.

2) A tin of tea- It doesn't have to be tea, but I know tea well, so I feel like I can speak to it. No tea drinker would spend 20$ on a box tea for themselves. But I bet most tea drinkers would love it as a gift. I am speaking of Mariage Freres, that great old French company. I prefer the bags, but the tins look neater. French Breakfast is a lovely flavor, soft and smooth with overtones of chocolate.

3) M.A.C Dazzleglass lip gloss- Now, here is a gift that the 12-year-old girl in us can appreciate. For my money, there are few pleasures as simple as opening a new lip gloss, especially something bright, and outrageously pink. The addition of glitter makes it that much better. I am not generally the glittery sort, but you must be a Scrooge-y sort if this wouldn't at least make you smile. Buy for your sillier, more whimsical friends. The practical types might not appreciate it.

4) Sharps Kid Glove Shave Gel- This stuff gives the smoothest, nicest shave you can imagine. The men in your life will wonder what they ever did before they tried it. The women (or other men) in their lives will sneak it relentlessly (I swear it makes my legs look thinner!). Oh, and it smells so so so good! Also, it apparently soothes bug bites, so there's that too...

5) Butch Cassidy and The Sundance Kid on Blu Ray- Because who doesn't love Paul Newman? Or Robert Redford? Now in Hi-Def! Your welcome.

Ever walk in to a party you have been looking forward to for months, only to discover it's absolutely dead? Ever think to yourself, "What this bash needs is a karaoke machine!" Well, no more. Now the party goes with you!

Right now I know you are thinking "what the fuck is she talking about?" Well, my friends, it is only the best thing since, well, the ipod.

IKaraoke!! Be the entertainment! This handy gadget docks right into any ipod, and lowers the lead vocals, while transmitting to an amplifier, headphones, or FM stations within 20 feet. Insta-party! Sing away!

Perfect for dead fashion week parties, or impressing your favorite rock star. Imagine running into Rod Stewart at a restaurant. You can show him you mad skillz by singing "Downtown Train" to him right then and there! Amazing!

I guess the New York Times Magazine this weekend made me think. Let's all buy something extra for someone we don't know, and may never meet. Here are three incredibly worthy charities to start you on your philanthropic way.

Heifer.org- This amazing organization wants to eradicate world hunger. What's your part? Well, instead of just sending a check, you can choose to send a chick, a duck, a cow, rabbits, and any number of other sustainable agricultural and animal resources to people who really need them. It's a real life version of the give a man a fishing pole parable. And you can follow your gift's progress! And even cooler then that, the people you gift with a goat, are expected to pass the gift on, by way of offspring, when they become able to.

Leukemia Research Foundation- The Leukemia Research Foundation has been funding research for a cure for Leukemia and other blood cancers for 60 years. 30% of cancer in children is Leukemia, and I almost guarantee you know someone who has or has had it.

Dress for Success- Got some nice old work clothes in good condition? I know I do. This amazing organization helps disadvantaged women prepare for the job market by giving them training, nice clothes, and confidence!

I got up on the wrong side of bed today. Maybe if someone gifted me with some Origins Peace of Mind Gumballs, I wouldn't be such a brat. I'd like some Float Away Sleep-Inspiring Milk Bath while you're at it. If you are lucky, the lavender, chamomile and lemon scent will put me to sleep in the tub, and I will drown. No more cranky for you! Merry Christmas AND Happy New Year!

You've known her now for a few years. She used to be cute and sweet, and she thought you were cool. Now she's fourteen, and obsessed with US Weekly. You are too, but still, that's no excuse, you've earned that right. Do her a favor, give her a little culture with her celebrities. Get her a subscription to Vogue. Maybe she'll even think you are cool again. But probably not. At least her taste in shoes will improve. And hopefully she'll stop wearing those low jeans with her thong sticking out.

Sometimes I wake up, and I don't really feel like getting dressed. I still want to look good, but my jeans need to go to the cleaners (yes, I dry clean some of my jeans. It keeps the color.) And I need to do laundry. What's a girl to do?

Well, if someone gave me one of these tunics from Steven Alan, I would know EXACTLY what to do. I would throw it on, with a pair of leggings and some good boots. (These are the most elegant shirts to wear with leggings, and an interesting solution to the layering problem we all face.)

I would also hope for a pair of these cute panties. They are sexy without being cheap. And they are all cotton.

By now you might know that I am a fragrance junkie. And even though scent is a pretty personal thing, I think it makes a great gift. You just have to really know the person. For example, my friend KT likes light warm florals like Marc Jacobs. I would try to stick to that range. The genius website Basenotes can be very helpful; it's like menupages for fragrance. You type in a perfume and it tells you everything about it, gives you customer reviews, and recommends other scents.

Hedge your bet by buying the scent with the best bottle. A good bottle never fails to please. Even if your giftee hates the scent, the bottle will look nice on her shelf. I prefer bottles with something in them as opposed to empty artsy bottles. You know what I mean...

1) Prada- The chicest of chic bottles. I personally love the spicy amber based fragrance, but it's not for every one. It is very feminine, but not floral at all; let's call it the difference between womanly and girly. Love the scent or hate it, the bottle is a keeper.

2)Shalimar by Guerlain - If you're feeling splurgy, you can't go wrong with Shalimar, a true fragrance classic. Laced with bergamot, vanilla, iris and others, this is the ultimate maximalist scent. And the bottle is as decadent as a character in Waugh!

3) Penhaligon's Bluebell- This lovely floral scent is positively dainty, if you can imagine such a thing. It is sweet and fresh and blue. And who can beat that bottle! Or any bottle from Penhaligon's, that bastion of English fragrance?

If you have a friend with a sense of humor and great taste, get him/her/it these things:

1) Nasty by Simon Doonan- I worship Simon Doonan. He is chic, talented, hilarious, and loves dogs. These are all the most commendable traits in my book. Professionally, he is the creative director of Barneys, and is responsible for those amazing windows. But more importantly he coined my favorite term for fashionistas: Non-Contributing Members of Society. I walked around with NCMOS on my cell phone for a year! No one had any idea what I meant, but I didn't care! This book is his memoir of his English childhood. Like David Sedaris but better. And I love David Sedaris!

2) Anything from Jonathan Adler.- What do glorious and whimsical housewares have to do with Simon Doonan? Well, besides sharing great taste, these two men also share a home. They are husbands. Celebrate love with kissing fish salt and pepper shakers! (And please read and learn the manifesto for happy living. I have it hanging on my wall.)

I used to think that stationary was the least sexy gift ever. And maybe I was right. But then I met these cards.

I was on a trip to London this past fall, and trying to stick to a very strict budget. As I passed in front of Liberty I thought, "Oh well, I have strength, I might as well pop in and look around. No buying though. I have a very strict budget to adhere to!"

I wandered successfully enough, ignoring the clarion call of hand creams and shoes. But there, tucked in a corner on the first floor was a stationary and chocolate shop. It was full of delightful wonders. And above all, these cards by Hello Lucky called out to me.

"Buy me!" They sang. "We are so lovely and vintage. We look wonderfully Victorian. You can only get us here! And we say 'thank you!'" Once in my hands, I found the cards would not leave. I paid my overpriced pounds, and hugged the small purple Liberty bag. I couldn't wait to have a reason to use my new thank you notes. I vowed to buy appropriately elegant stamps. (Sorry American flags.) I was in note lust!

Then I read the back of the package. Turns out they are made in San Francisco. But that doesn't take away from the fact that they are also really gorgeous. Nothing is in better taste then writing notes and sending them through the actual mail. Buy these for your friend with the worst manners. Soon she'll be sending notes all over town.

If you don't seen anything you like at Hello Lucky, go to Luxe Paperie. They have beautiful cards too. I LOVE these:

He answers your phone. She is your gatekeeper, letting no one pass. He makes your copies, and gets you coffee. She tells your boss you are at a breakfast meeting, when you are really home with a hangover.

Ok, honestly? I have never had a great assistant. I was once a mediocre assistant. I got some really great gifts ($200 dollars to Crate and Barrel) and some terrible ones (The Sopranos Soundtrack. That opening song makes me cringe.) But I know good assistants are out there- I have seen them in action. And they have it rough. So treat them to something a little luxurious. Practicality is for moms.

1) Marie Belle Chocolates- I know there is a trend for fancy exotic chocolates. And I will admit to trying out a few (stay away from the Vosges!) Marie Belle Chocolates are the best. Beautiful, delicious, and chic in their little french boxes. I would be thrilled to find these on my desk.

2) A session at Angel Feet- This tiny massage parlour in the West Village focuses entirely on the feet, and my guy friends love it as much as my girl friends. Make sure to get your put upon assistant the 60 minute session! Remember how mean you were yesterday!

3) Marc by Marc Jacobs Clutch- You will inspire complete devotion and loyalty forever if you get your assistant this lovely and handy clutch. Do it for you!