Ultimate Gift Guide 2012

Ultimate Gift Guide 2012

Santa and I have one thing in common, and it’s not a tummy…although with all the homemade treats and feasts during the holidays, I’m one step closer to it. Actually, it’s my gift list, which grows every year. When I was a kid, all I had to think about was gifts for my parents, my brother, and maybe my grandparents (if they were in town). Now, I have nieces, nephews, a sister-in-law, co-workers, and friends to think about. And honestly, a drawing or a handmade Christmas card is no longer useful.

Finding a gift for everyone on your list takes time and can be challenging, especially if you don’t want your gift to go unnoticed. So after talking to friends and family, I rounded up some of the gifts that top their lists. Here is my latest gift guide for 2012.

1. Holiday/Christmas CD – $14-$16

Christmas songs: you hear them on the radio, in stores, on television. And admit it, you’ve caught yourself humming Christmas songs more than once or twice. Traditional Christmas tunes trigger memories of Christmases past, so you can’t go wrong with this gift.

Don’t limit yourself to the Greatest Hits. Nowadays, every popular artist has a Christmas CD. So if you need a gift for your young niece, Justin Bieber’s “Under the Mistletoe” would be a better choice.

2. Nespresso Citiz Coffee Maker – $299.99

If you have Latte Lovers on your list, this is the perfect Christmas gift for them. This holiday gift will make someone or an entire family extremely anxious to start the day. You can be sure that, in addition to the caffeine buzz, they will be talking about you and the best gift you gave them. (available at Williams-Sonoma.com)

3. UGG Slippers – $90-$250

Most of your holiday gift recipients may already have UGG boots in their closets, but did you know that UGG has a huge collection of slippers for men and women? Now they can have the same cozy comfort around the house, too. And when you add in UGG’s unique look and style, it’s no wonder these slippers are one of the best holiday gifts you can give…and receive.

If you’re buying them as a gift for one of your younger and still-growing relatives, don’t go by last year’s shoe size; those feet have surely grown since the last holiday season.

4. Pasta Gift Basket – $119.95

“Buon Natale” and “Bon Appetit!” This pasta gift basket is a unique gift for even the pickiest, because who doesn’t love pasta? This basket is good for multiple runs. And of course they all come peppered with fun conversations and laughter with family and friends. HarryandDavid.com has some of these delicious products available.

5. Vynebar Wine Rack – $54.99-$74.99

These wine racks are sophisticated and elegant. They make a wonderful Christmas gift for any home. They do not take up much space and can be installed in any room and can be ordered in almost any possible color. If you want to go a step further, you can engrave a special holiday wish or a last name on them for an even bigger impression. (available in vinebar.com)

6. Reading Pillow – $137.99

Well, let’s see, do you have someone on your gift list who likes to read, watch TV, use their Kindle or iPad, or just relax in bed? All! It’s what I thought. This is why the Bedlounge Reading Pillow is the perfect gift for anyone on your list. It is unique, practical and let’s not forget extremely comfortable. So this year, if you want to give the gift of comfort, BedLounge is the gift for you. (available in www.bedlounge.com/bedlounge )

7. Picture Frames – $82 – $144

Do you want to bring smiles not only at Christmas, but every day this year? Then she finds and prints out that super cute family photo from your last trip together, you know, that everyone thinks they look good in, and puts it in one of these fancy frames. You can monogram it for an extra personal touch. This holiday gift will definitely bring back happy memories and smiles long after the holidays are over. (available at graphicimage.com)

8. Christmas Ornaments – $70-$90

If you have pet owners on your gift list, Wagging Tails Portraits is the website to visit. They offer a great selection of gift ideas for pet lovers, from pet portrait ornaments to wine glasses emblazoned with your favorite pet. All products are hand-painted, which makes this gift even more unique and valuable. All you need to do is find a good quality image of the pet (I know these are sometimes hard to come by) and submit it to the artists at Wagging Tails Portraits.

Be sure to place your order soon. These are personalized items and require a longer period to be delivered. (available at waggingtail portraits.com)

9. Olympus VR 310 Camera – $180

This little pocket camera is a must have for anyone. Magic filters can add an artistic touch to any image and Dual Image Stabilization makes sharp shots extremely easy in any situation. So your chances of catching Santa coming out of the chimney are much better.

Everyone will love having a camera handy to capture all the sweet memories of the holidays. This Olympus is a holiday gift that is sure to guarantee a “panoramic” hug.

10. Donate to a cause $10-$5000

This holiday season, if you want to go with a totally unconventional holiday gift, you can give a gift that will change the world. Changing the Present.org offers gifts that are a great alternative to more traditional holiday gifts. You can browse through causes to find gifts that make a difference, or search for the gift recipient’s favorite nonprofit organization and make a donation in their name. You can choose “Create a Card” from the shopping cart to send a personalized greeting card that describes the cause you dedicated it to your friend or family member.

Well, that’s all from me… I hope I was able to take some of the stress out of shopping for you.

I wish you happy holidays and a prosperous new year!

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