If you're stuck on what to get for those last few gifts — or if you haven't even begun to shop — you're in luck! In Style magazine editor Amy Goodman was invited to appear on "Today" to share some great gift solutions from the magazine's holiday gift guide. Here's a look at the items she discussed on the show.
With every holiday season, we write our gift list and check it twice … then wonder how we’ll squeeze in all the shopping. In an ideal world, we search year-round for the perfect presents, and in the real world, we scramble with other last-minute shoppers on our lunch breaks, sharing the same idea — and the same crazed schedule.
There is a stress-free alternative. Shop with the December issue of In Style magazine, where our design editors searched hundreds of unique stores and trendy shops for the ultimate must-haves of the season, from colorful carafes to faux-fur booties to skis that are technologically savvy and stylish.
So forget the lines and don a smile, and shop the holidays with In Style!
For the ladies
1. Two’s Company: Expand upon the celebrity trend of name-embroidered sweats with a personalized Boy Meets Girl cotton hoodie by Deesh Designs. With space for both a guy and gal’s name, you can showcase your true love or select a retro favorite like Desi and Lucy. (Place orders by noon December 12th to assure delivery in time for Christmas.) Available in blue, black and gray in sizes 1-4, $85 for hoodie (matching track pants, $62), Deesh Designs; 212-563-0322.
2. Wrap It Up: Catch the argyle trend with these bright and cheerful holiday scarves in orange or green (76 inches long) by Juicy Couture. An added bonus that will keep you doubly warm: 100 percent of the purchase price goes to the nonprofit organization God’s Love We Deliver, which provides free meal delivery to people living with AIDS, cancer and other serious illnesses. Juicy Couture, $198; 800-889-6515.
3. Flower Power: Hitting the slopes never felt as stylish than with these Phat Luv hibiscus-printed snow skis by K2. Made specifically for the needs of the female skier, a unique tip shape makes it easier to turn and the Bioflex core delivers more, well, flex. Add to that the flower design and you get designer gear that also packs a high-tech punch. Or maybe we should say glide, because you’ll never grace over powder quite the same, K2, $675; 800-972-4063 for stores.
Great guy buy
4. Full House: Bring all the comforts of world-class poker to his home with this sleek aluminum carrying case by Fifth Street that includes 500 clay chips and Vegas-style cards. Open this, and he’ll be hard-pressed to keep his poker face. Hold ‘Em High, $170; 866-402-5546.
Home Emporium
5. Mix Masters: Get everyone eating their greens with these 16-inch Asiaphile salad servers, made with lacquer-covered wood to resemble coral branches: an innovative holiday open house gift or stocking stuffer. $85 at Global Table; 212-431-5839.
6. Toast of the Town: Toast will truly pop with these mod toasters from France. Pylones two-slice toasters, designed by Crea Crea, are made of durable heat-resistant plastic and come in 12 eclectic designs, truly transforming the mundane morning breakfast into the magical. Pylones, $69; at Sarut, 800-345-6404.
7. Icy Hot: For the host who wishes to entertain without constantly getting up to refill glasses, Leifheit’s Columbus 2000 carafe will come to his rescue. Insulated plastic keeps eight cups or one liter of beverage either super hot or icy cold for up to 20 hours. Five fun translucent colors, Leifheit, $30; 866-695-3434.
Travel tools
8. All Aboard: For most of us, there are some photographs that should never see the light of day, including the senior-year photo, the driver’s license and certainly, the passport pic. So for those who wish to stylishly conceal the passport photo (either for self-preservation or as a protective measure for someone you love) as well as keep this important document safe, opt for an Abas leather passport cover with official-looking U.S. crest imprint. These cases are so cheerful, you’ll feel like planning your next international vacation — or maybe he will! Available in 10 bold colors, Abas, $28; 800-358-3045.
9. Wheel Nice: Merrell, the maker of high-quality sports shoe wear, has recently rolled out their solution for the ultimate travel bag … the Chameleon Full Wheelie. With Jungle Runner Wheels that provide exceptional grip and a “mudroom” that allows for the separation of wet, muddy articles into a designated compartment, this full-size carry-on also has padded storage areas and pockets for logically organized packing. Available in Mercury, Anthracite, Brick and Black, Merrell, $230; 888-637-7001.
For tiny tots
10. Snowbound: Plowing through snow on foot was never more efficient, fast and fun than with L.L. Bean’s Winter Walker snowshoes for kids. Made with a lightweight aluminum frame, easy-fit binding and a molded heel cup, these shoes are meant for walking on flat trails or rolling terrain, whether in the backwoods or your backyard. The best news: They're easy to put on and no parent help is required. Available in zesty metallic colors including purple, orange, blue and green (16 inches for 25 to 60 pounds, $39; 19 inches for 50 to 110 pounds, $49), L.L. Bean; 800-809-7057.
11. Biker’s Delight: Kids, start your engines with this 6V battery-operated motorcycle that is perfect for the pint-sized rider. Complete with roaring engine noises and super sleek detailing, this bike is equipped with an optional anti-rolling mechanism (training wheels) for first timers. No worries, however, about your young one hitting the open road, since the maximum speed tops off at a raging 2.5 miles per hour. For ages 3 to 7, assembly required, $80; JC Penny catalog, 800-222-6161.
Sweet gifts — for stockings or smaller packages
12. Local Flavor: Mark a favorite trip or celebrate a home state with these frosted geography glasses by Catstudio. Inspired by collectible glasses from the '30s, '40s and '50s, these tumblers use seven colors and matte gold to create a festive vintage feel that is completely dishwasher safe. Sixty-five city, state and regions available, $48 for four of one locale; 800-819-3367.
13. Alphabet Loot: Rather than write miscellaneous reminders on tiny scraps of paper, consider Daisy Arts’ “A to Z” subject journals to function as your mini-memory bank, with 26 tabbed sections to keep all of your notes at the ready. Three distinct journals for Wedding, Home and Life Style offer such subject headings as dreams, inspirations, jokes and utopia. Daisy Arts, $20; at Anthropologie, 800-309-2500.
14. Clean Up Nicely: Portugal’s Claus Porto has been making celebrated hand-milled soaps for 117 years. Now their new line of aloe-based liquid soaps softens hands while washing and restores essential nutrients to skin. The 100 percent vegetable-based formula is also biodegradable and available in red poppy, honeysuckle, wild pansy and citron verbena. The pretty packaging alone will transport you straight to Portugal. Claus Porto, $19 each; 800-362-3677.
Information provided by In Style magazine. Copyright 2004. All rights reserved. To see more of their holiday gift ideas, check out the latest issue of In Style on newsstands now, or visit their Web site at: