I'm not a perfectionist, but when I comes to gift giving, I like to really get it right. When Catherine asked me to put together my top five gifts, I tried to think about the most frequent categories/ individuals/situations I need a gifts for around the holidays.

I hope this list helps you spend more time with a fat glass of wine around the fire with friends and less time fighting for the last parking spot at the mall. In the cold and rain. And your heater's broken.

1. The Meet the Parents/ Housewarming/ VIP Hostess Gift

The gift scenario: You are going to visit your boyfriend. And meet his parents. And his entire family. And the frightful idea of a "food gift basket" is already causing you to lose sleep.
The answer? Kistler Chardonnay. Yeah, that's right, Chardonnay.
A friend introduced me to this last weekend in New York. Trust me, I had my doubts. The words crazy, delicious and Chardonnay generally do not belong in the same sentence. Until now.
It's pricey, but trust me, it'll be the punch NO ONE saw coming. The initial skepticism will work in your favor, as you will go from being the "girl who brought the crappy bottle of chard" to House Guest Goddess... all without using cellophane.

2. The Give-Back Girlfriend Gift


(Click pics for deets)
The gift scenario: You need girlfriend gifts. You've done the angel tree for the last five years. Not that that's a bad thing, but you want to mix it up.
The answer? The Obligato necklace from Diana Warner Studio.
For $50.00, your girlfriends get a feminine, delicate handmade necklace to wear and 10 Africans get clean drinking water for a year.
Awesome.
3. The White Elephant Gift

The gift scenario: Your friend is throwing a white elephant gift exchange party. You don't have time to troll the aisles of creepy, old department stores hoping to discover that ridiculous treasure. And your gift also has to kill.
The answer? Customsnuggie.com.
Endless possibilities. Endlessly hilarious.
4. The Stocking Stuffer Gift

The gift scenario: You need a few small gifts for stocking stuffing.
The answer? Magazine subscriptions.
Nothing beats curling up on the sofa with a new magazine after a 4-hour holiday brunch. I'm a total magazine junkie, and the best thing about getting a magazine subscription is knowing you'll be getting to replicate this scene every month for the next year. The 4-hour brunch is optional, but recommended.
5. The O-M-G-Oh-No-You- Did-nt-Santa! Gift

The gift scenario: You don't know what to buy me for Christmas.
The answer? Now you know.
xoxo

image found here

* Cub Childrens Cork Chair by Daniel Michalik, Brooklyn, New York, $238
* Tin Roof Switchplate Covers from Anthropologie, $18-$24
* Oil Drum Angel from VivaTerra, $65-$139
*Work Lamp by Form Us With Love for Design House Stockholm, $100
*Solid Bronze Dinner Bell, Rocky Mountain Hardware, $358

And something not for the house but would help me bring things home to the house would be this bike basket
* Design House Carrie Bicycle Basket, $70

after seeing all these fabulous gift ideas..i am going to be a busy elf purchasing away this weekend!

When Catherine asked me to contribute to this Guest Blogging series I was so excited because I love holiday shopping. I start thinking about what gifts I'm going to buy as early as October and even plan out the gift wrap {which I think is just as important!}.

These are a few things I think I might be buying for friends or family {or I must admit, greedily hoping to find under the tree for myself!}...in addition to all of the chic treats I'm ordering from our clients, of course!!

No. 1 A box of caramels from Ciara Dolce. Isn't the packaging divine??







No. 2 Diptyque's new solid parfume, in Philosykos {fig}, which is just about the chicest little thing I've seen in a long time!


No. 3 I think Tail of the Yak's antique jewelry section is so well-edited that no matter what you come away with, it will be timeless and chic. {You'll find many amazing Georgian and Victorian pieces, my favorites eras for antique jewelry!}



No. 4 Of course anything from John Derian...



No. 5 Astier de Villatte's Eau de Cologne combines verbena, lavendar, rosemary and basil and has the most stylish packaging to boot!



Happy Holidays!!

xxMelissa

*old school, custom address stamp from lettergirl... oh, that handwriting!

Every girl wants fur this season...Keep her warm in a fur funnel neck collar from Calypso that comes in many colors even bright fuschia and teal. Or keep her digits fabulously warm with these Toscana shearling gloves from j crew.

Girls need Holiday accessories...

I love this tinseled link necklace as well as this Piet ring both from Anthropology...fun statement holdiay chachkis.

Get her the Hoss sunglasses from VZ--they are Von Zippaliscious and only $80!

She will need something to carry so gift her this Marni slouchy suede bag (a fetish of mine) or why not a coin purse from Louis Vuitton? It's the little things that matter:-)

So I cannot help myself but these sequined shorts from Calypso are killing me--they are the new pant this winter! Pair them with these thigh highs from Jcrew for a casual fabulous look.

Lingerie is always the perfect gift and these mimi holliday undies by Damaris on net-a-porter are lovely.

AND the #1 gift I would KILL for this season

The women's R3 wetsuit from Patagonia which was even worthy of a mention in the New York times style section last month.

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Claire is such a breath of fresh air! she helped me with this shoot, and was amazing. If you ever have any personal style needs contact her here..thanks claire!

Hi Rikshaw readers! Kate here from The NEO-Traditionalist. Catherine asked me to share with you my five top gift picks for the holiday season and I couldn’t be more excited to share. Keeping it to five made for many tough decisions, but here they go:

FOR MOMMIE DEAREST:

Knit Monogram Ornaments from Anthropologie. I'd get her the first letter of each family member's name. They remind me of old-school ski sweaters and would look so retro and fabulous on her tree!

FOR MY BRILLIANT FIANCE:

Hugo Guinness Typewriter Print from John Derian Co. If you read my blog you know that my fiance John collects typewriters. We also love John Derian's shop in Manhattan's East Village and are huge fans of Hugo's whimsical work. This print would look oh-so-handsome framed above his desk.

FOR MY ULTRA CHIC GRANDMOTHER:

Modern Quill Pens from Jayson Home and Garden. I cherish the letters my Grandmother Rita writes me and I think these natural feather quill pens would look lovely perched in her pencil cup. Pheasant? Peacock? How to choose?!

FOR MY HIPSTER BROTHER:

Ray Ban Clubmaster Sunglasses from J.Crew. My little brother will be leaving for college next fall and I can already picture him strolling through campus in these hip tortoise shades. The kid is a tall, skinny red-head with serious style---loooove him and love these Clubmasters.

FOR MY BEST FRIEND:

Letterpress Paper Doll Notecards by Linda & Harriett. The yellow and charcoal combo is to die for---I think she'll agree.

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thank you Kate! your blog is always a pleasure and has such style, i hope we can meet one day soon and get jumby and alfie together....

hobo metallic, yes please..