It’s a wrap! Terrific gifts to give (and get)
Three weeks until Christmas. Haven’t hit the stores yet? Judy Gordon is here to guide you to presents that are sure to please
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Judy Gordon The 'Today' show Style Editor • Profile • E-mail |
So many gifts, so little time (and budget, for that matter).
Don't worry! We've gone on a virtual shopping spree to find the best gifts for everyone on your list — at all price ranges.
What's trendy? High-stakes gaming toys and soothing relaxation tools work across the board for men and women.
Meanwhile, your fashionista girlfriends will want the latest glamour "do's" and the gentlemen on your list will be clamoring for handsome, dashing sportswear and accessories.
And the little ones? Why, they're the most fun of all! Find out what’s hot for them and all the people on your list in this week's edition of our fashion and beauty update.
High stakes
Found yourself transfixed by celebrity poker recently? The gaming world is super trendy right now, and what better way to bring it home than with the gift of a casino-type game? Which one to choose? The aforementioned poker is the trendiest way to go. In addition to the game itself, you have the choice of lots of luxe accessories, from poker chips to card caddies or gorgeously illustrated card decks. You'll also find roulette wheels and blackjack for the casino denizen at heart. And for those with less than "killer instincts," consider backgammon sets, chess sets or good ol' checkers.
Trend Tip:
You'll find poker games and sets at all price ranges from companies such as RedEnvelope.com, Barnes & Noble and Brookstone. (You'll see lots of other casino games there as well — as we told you, they are the "it" gift right now!) For a different approach, don't forget books and videos on how to improve one's gaming chances. Totems and amulets designed to bring luck to your gaming friend are also fun-and-groovy options.
Peace of mind
Want could be more thoughtful than a gift that encourages relaxation? Every year we're greeted with an ever-widening array of choices — some modern inventions, others based on age-old techniques such as aromatherapy, massage or meditation. Tap into the growing "bath house" trend with the gift of bath-time relaxation. You'll find everything from scented salts and herbs to invigorating spa-quality tools, pillows and potions. Give the gift of aromatherapy in the form of essential oils, scented candles or home fragrances.
Trend Tip:
For the home, we love the new, gorgeous scents of Vie Luxe candles, which come in scents such as Capri, Maldives, Palm Beach and San Moritz. For a really great body/bath experience, we suggest bath oils from Jo Malone. Their unexpected combinations, such as amber and lavender or wild fig and cassis, are positively dreamy. And for the mind, we can think of nothing better than replacing that annoying old alarm clock with the gentle, progressive wake-up of light, sound and aroma offered by the new "progressive" alarm clocks at Hammacher Schlemmer.
Baby love
Is there anything more fun than buying delightful little gifts for the newest family members? This year, babies are being treated in style with sophisticated versions of grown-up garments — just right for dressing up on big family holidays. Go all-out with a double-breasted cashmere cardigan in pint-sized proportions, a velvet coat, pants and a bonnet, or teeny little leather shoes for real style for baby’s first steps. For more casual occasions, little tykes are being treated to their very own plush shearling items in the form of hats, gloves, booties and the ever-present baby papoose — the favored carrier of today’s “hot mamas.”
Trend Tip:
We love the sophisticated, dressy looks from Baby CZ and the casual shearling styles from Little Eda and Bill Amberg, all of which you can find at Vivre.com. Also check out the adorable styles available for babies at OldNavy.com, which conveniently features a “Holiday Dressy” category for easy shopping. Too cute!
Glamour girl
The true test of gift-giving is choosing the perfect — and perfectly stylish — presents that are just right for your equally stylish friends. Luckily, this year there is so much choice at all price ranges that shopping will be a blast. Let's start with stocking stuffers. Go for shimmering, sparkling makeup and rich berry bright nail polish for mani/pedi time. Then head for the accessories counter for wonderful faux-fur scarves, Art Deco-inspired earrings and sparkling brooches — just what everyone will need to decorate her must-have jeweled cardigan. And don't forget to inspire your fashionista friends — we're sure they would all love their very own copies of some of the season's gorgeous new books on women of style.
Trend Tip:
So many glam things — which to choose? In terms of stocking stuffers, we love the new "girly girl" keychains from Kate Spade, the Chihuahua coin purse from Lulu Guinness, whimsically glamorous stationery from R. Nichols and the shimmery glimmer you'll find from Dior Sparkling Palette lip gloss, M.A.C. ShimmerSouffle mousse and Too Faced Electric Lash mascara. Check out Assouline for a library's worthy of super stylish books on the world's most glamorous women, and do head over to the Limited for their must-have jeweled cardigan ... at only $68!
Gentlemen prefer....
What's in for the men on your list? The debonair look of a tailored sports jacket in corduroy or velvet (most hip when worn with dark blue jeans) and all the trimmings, of course. Keep him well-groomed with the latest shaving technology and potions. (And why not throw in a few skin- and body-care products as well.) Then style him up in a handsome velvet jacket (corduroy if he's squeamish), wrap him up in a dapper argyle or striped muffler and accessorize him with a sexy and stylish watch from Pirelli (of auto-racing fame). The "gentleman's" look is the way to go, from his head right down to his toes.
Trend Tip:
You'll find corduroy blazers for him at the Gap and J. Crew, while velvet versions can be found from trendier brands such as INC International and Urban Outfitters. Pull together his grooming routine with Anthony Logistics for Men (add a splash of Brit for Men from Burberry while you're at it!). If he just can't live without his whiz-bang tech toys, we suggest the English walking stick from Eximious.com — it's a portable seat that, when "planted" in the ground, creates the perfect perch for watching golf tournaments, races, soccer games and the like!
Judy Gordon is a New York-based style consultant and the “Today” show’s style editor. She has been covering the fashion and beauty beat for the past decade. To learn more about Gordon, you can visit her Web site, TheTrendReport.com, which highlights style trends in America and across the world.
firstVIEW is the primary supplier of photos to Fashion Friday. Go to www.firstVIEW.com for the latest pictures from top fashion shows around the world, including New York, Los Angeles, London, Paris, Milan, Brazil, New Zealand, South Korea and more.
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