Greetings fashionista friends! We’re so excited for the time-honored tradition of showering loved ones with gifts and good wishes, that we’re taking a break from our typical design to help you bring cheer to your near and dear! So get a pen and paper, because whoever’s on your list, whatever your budget and style, we’ve got everything you need for your gift giving guide. Before you begin your holiday shopping, you’ll need a present purchasing plan! The first step is to make a list of everyone you need a gift for and ideas for what you’d like to get them. At the very least, set a price limit for each gift and stick to it. Trust us, your wallet will thank you! Marketing around holiday sales are designed to draw you in, so if you know exactly what you’re looking for (and how much you want to spend) you’re less likely to get sucked into things you don’t really need. Remember, this is a joyful season so don’t get bogged down in the stress of the hustle and bustle. Get creative, have fun, and you’ll truly understand why it feels so much better to give than receive!

• West Elm Silver Boxes: A dainty monogrammed silver jewelry box is an elegant touch for family or friends. www.westelm.com
• Mercury Glass Votives: Mercury Glass is a popular style this year for home décor, and these votives are a special gift for your décor savvy friend. www.mothology.com
• Thomas Paul Ludite Camera Case: In case you are looking for a unique gift for a photo friendly friend, here’s a one of a kind camera case he or she will love. www.westelm.com
• Kohana’s Best Sampler: A great option for the coffee lovers in your life. This cute and reusable green box offers six choice varieties of Kohana Coffee. www.kohanacoffee.com
• Crystal Perfume Bottles: You may not be able to choose perfume for a friend, but giving a friend or relative one of these Crystal Perfume Bottles is a stylish way to tell her how special she is to you. www.zgallerie.com.

• DVD Collection: Our pick, The Sopranos. Give him his pick at home, and you’re likely to get yours at the theater!
• Sporting Event or Concert Tickets: It’s like a two for one! He’ll get the excitement and anticipation of the event when he opens the gift, and of course the real gift comes later - the fun of the actual event!
• GPS System: We know they hate asking for directions, so now they won’t have to!
• Men’s Health / Sports Illustrated Subscription: A gift that gives all year long! They may not want to admit it, but our men want to know how to keep looking fit and younger, too.
• Sentimental Wrist Wear: Engrave a watch or cufflinks for an extra special touch.

• Cozy Oversized Sweater: We love CAbi’s Perfect Sweater, Poncho, and Teddy Coat for easy to fit options that are sure to impress!
• Gloves: Why not get something that actually “fits like a glove”?
• Beanie & Scarf: Functional and fashionable during the chilly holiday season, and one size fits all so it’s sure to fit! We’re particularly fond of CAbi’s Bubble Knit Beanie and Scarf.
• CAbi’s Reversible Puffer: So cute and season appropriate. Since its reversible, they receive two gifts in one!
• CAbi’s Alpine Shrug: Where else will you find something so uniquely chic and easy to fit … what more could we ask for!

• Board Game or Family Table Topics Game: A little healthy competition is good for the family!
• Picnic Backpack: For the beach, a hike, or even the backyard!
• Croquet, Bocce Ball, or Badminton Set: With these backyard bonanzas, they’ll be the most popular family in town!
• DVD or Movie Tickets, with Popcorn & Candy: With movie theater prices these days, this really is a treat!
• Wood Barrel Ice Cream Maker: Enjoy quality family time, with an old-fashioned treat!

Call us crazy, but a recent survey conducted by Petsmart revealed that 81% of pet owners buy their pet a gift for the holidays!

• Pet Jewelry like a Juicy Couture Collar for your dog or a designer ID tag from Pretty Paws Accessories for your cat.
• Petmate Deluxe Fresh Flow Pet Fountain: For the hi-tech pet.
• Orthapedic Pet Bed: For either cats or dogs, we like the Striped Broadway Dog Bed.
• Pet Sweaters: So they can look just as great as their fashionista owner. We love the cute sweaters & jackets from barkslope.com.
• Stocking Stuffers: We can’t forget their favorites, like catnip and mice toys for cats, and tennis balls for dogs (make sure to buy animal friendly tennis balls made specifically your size of dog. We like the Petco brand for our pooches).

• Dabney Lee Desk Calendar: A colorful and cool desk calendar will add a little sparkle to your friend’s workday. We love how these calendars can be personalized! www.dabneyleeathome.com
• Single Cup Coffee Brewer: Small enough to sit on a desk, a single cup coffee maker is a great gift for anyone who needs a little pick-me-up!
• Charging Station & Valet: Give the gift of organization! This helps keep a desk organized, making it a more enjoyable place to work.
• Computer Case: Find the perfect case to match a variety of computer types, personalities, and styles. www.kolobags.com
• Digital Frame: Give the gift of unending memories! Fill it with memorable pictures for an extra personalized pizzazz.

• Jewelry is small and typically comes already wrapped in pretty box or pouch, so all you need to bring is a little piece of ribbon.
• Gift Certificates are the perfect size for packing; look online and get creative with things like spafinder.com, Dave & Busters, ESPN Zone, or services like house cleaning or car washes.
• “Of the Month Clubs”: Whether it’s wine, beer, salsa, flowers, or coffee, it’s the gift that keeps giving all year long!
• Wristlet purses, from Vera Bradley to Coach are cute and compact, perfect to stash in a suitcase, or even your purse!
• Apron, Towel & Oven Mitt Sets in a vintage design or colorful fabric will brighten her kitchen and her day!

• Zhu Zhu Pets Hamster and Accessories: Perfect for the parent that doesn’t want an actual rodent running around the house. www.zhuzhupets.com
• Nintendo Wii and Wii Fit: For the kids and kids at heart.
• Twilight Barbie Dolls - Bella and Edward: Preorder now, or get ready to wait in line overnight!
• Turtle Constellation Night Light: Sleep under a starry sky from the comfort of your own bed. www.cloudb.com
• Kid Tough Digital Camera by Fisher Price: For those future photographers; built to survive drop after drop. www.fisher-price.com

• Give a Fair Trade Gift and support the business of someone who is working to escape poverty.
  • The International Princess Project provides a new beginning for women in India previously enslaved in prostitution. By purchasing a pair of their specially designed and sewn pajamas, you’ll be supporting these women in their new life. www.punjammies.com
  • Items purchased from The Body Shop include ingredients from farmers around the world who are paid a fair wage and given an opportunity to expand their businesses because of the Body Shop’s contract with them. www.thebodyshop-usa.com
• Make a financial donation to your favorite charity in honor of your friend or family member, and a card will be sent to him or her.
  • The Make a Wish Foundation makes wishes come true for children with life threatening illnesses. Make a donation through their website, and they will send a personalized card to the person you want to honor. Be sure to request a card by December 13 to have it there by December 25. www.wish.org
  • If you don’t have a favorite charity yet, check out Charity Navigator which rates charities’ success in making a difference and their ability to use funds appropriately. www.charitynavigator.org
• Purchase items for families or communities in need, and have a card sent to your family or friend telling them who was helped in their honor.
  • Through the Samaritan’s Purse online catalog you can reach worldwide to provide milk for a hungry child, help support a classroom, provide a family with baby chicks, or helping a village have clean water, just to name a few. Purchase an online gift in the name of someone you love, and they’ll receive a card telling them that someone has been helped in their honor. www.samaritanspurse.org
  • Through the Heifer online catalog you can purchase livestock for a family in need as a sustainable gift that will provide long-term benefits. Request a card to be sent to the person in whose honor you send this gift. www.heifer.org
• Purchase a gift that gives back!
  • When you purchase the Lunette Scarf from your CAbi Consultant, a portion of the proceeds will go to support the Heart of CAbi Foundation, which works in partnership with organizations around the world to bring support to those in need. Check out the CAbi website to read more about the CAbi Foundation. www.cabionline.com
  • When you buy Red Products, a portion of the sales go to the Red Foundation, which is working to alleviate AIDS in Africa. Check out this website for a list of products that are “RED.” www.joinred.com
• Buy a membership to a local organization as a gift and you will be supporting the cause of the organization. Usually memberships come in pairs so it is a great gift for a couple or a family.
  • An annual pass to a local zoo not only provides a year’s worth of fun, but supports wildlife preservation.
  • A membership to an art museum or symphony often provides opportunities to be the first to see a new exhibit or the chance to get hard- to- find tickets, and also support their local art community.

• Blue Tooth: Give the gift of hands-free safety! One of our favorites: Parrot. www.driveblue.com
• iPod / iPhone: What can we say, all the cool kids have them! They’ll get a new app almost every day!
• Kindle: This wireless reading device stores thousands of books, and weighs less than one! And this way, you don’t have to guess what they want to read.
• Demy Kitchen Safe Digital Recipe Reader: For the chefs in your life … revolutionize the way they cook! Input their personal recipe collection and download new favorites! www.mydemy.com
• PowerMat: This foldable, portable charging mat will ensure they never lose power again … and that means, you get to talk more! www.powermat.com

• Pool Toys/Noodle: Because what could you possibly need more in the heart of winter?
• Chia Pet: Everyone secretly wants one, but wouldn’t actually buy one.
• Lawn Ornaments/Gnomes/Flamingos, Giant Stuffed Animals, & Funny Figurines: The gaudier, the better!
• Lottery Tickets: If the receiver wins, they have to split the prize with you!
• Bag of Bird Seed & Bird House: Bird poop on the lawn is an added bonus!

• Body Scrub/Soap/Bath Salts
  1. Oatmeal Scrub: moisturizing scrub with soothing qualities of ginger and cinnamon, and the natural exfoliation of oatmeal.Ingredients:
     • 1 ½ cups whole oats
     • ½ cup olive oil or almond oil
     • ½ teaspoon ginger
     • ½ teaspoon cinnamon
     • A few drops vanilla infused essential oil

     Directions: Combine ingredients, stir, and store in a decorative jar. Try an old fashioned canning jar with a pretty ribbon around it.

  2. Shea Butter Melt & Pour Soap: moisturizing, hypoallergenic soap, good for all skin types, and works for body and face.Ingredients:
     • 1/2 lb. Melt & Pour base (available at many craft stores)
     • Mold for the soap
     • 1 tbls. Jojoba Oil
     • 1 tsp. shea butter
     • 1 tsp. grated beeswax

     Directions: Melt base (according to directions) add ingredients, and then pour into mold. Wrap in pretty tissue paper and tie with a bow.

  3. Lavender Bath Salt: soothing bath salt with the relaxing scent of lavender that will leave your skin feeling extra soft.Ingredients:
     • 1 cup Epsom salts
     • ½ cup sea salt
     • 3 tablespoons baking soda
     • 8 drops lavender oil (add more if desired)
     • A couple drops of coloring (available in the soap section of many craft stores)Optional lavender flowers

     Directions: Combine all ingredients in a jar, add coloring and fragrance slowly, mix until desired scent and color is reached. Add optional flowers and store in a decorative jar.

• Beer Bread
  Ingredients:
  • 2 ½ cups self-rising flour
  • ½ cup all purpose flour
  • ¼ cup brown sugar
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon onion powder
  • ¾ teaspoon Italian seasoning

  Directions: Combine ingredients and put in a decorative jar or even a plastic zip lock bag wrapped in a box or basket. Include the following instructions: Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Mix with one (1) 12 oz can of beer and ¼ cup butter margarine (melted). Place in lightly greased 9 x 5 inch baking pan. Bake 45 to 55 minutes till an inserted toothpick comes out clean. Cool on wire rack.

• Container Candles
  Ingredients:
  • Wax (available at many craft stores)
  • Wick (available at many craft stores)
  • Container to hold the wax (washed out jars, shot glasses, metal buckets, or any other type of metal or glass container that won’t leak or crack)
  • Hot glue gun
  • Wick bars or a plastic straw to keep the wick centered
  • Fragrance and/or color

  Directions:
  Attach the wick to the bottom center of the container with a glue gun, candle glue dots, or wick stick ‘ems. Use the straw around the wick to help apply glue to one end to prevent burning yourself and to make placing the wick into the center easier. Remove straw. Warm your container in the oven at 150 degrees (this helps the wax adhere to the edges more evenly). Melt wax in a double boiler, or heat in a metal bowl held over a pot of boiling water while constantly stirring. Stir in color or fragrance. Pull containers out of oven. Use a clothespin over top to hold wick in center. If opening of container is too large for this, you can also attach the wick to a stick or anything that can hold it in place. Pour wax slowly into jars, filling up to about ¼ to ½ inch from brim. Adjust wicks so that they are centered, arrange candles to be near each other and allow to cool. Trim wicks. Decorate with a pretty bow.

• Family Recipe Booklet
  Ingredients:
  • Cute Blank Stationary notes
  • Ribbon or binder rings (found at any office supply store)
  • Hole punch

  Directions: Write your favorite family recipes on each of the note cards (or print them out from your computer). Hole punch each card, and then thread a ribbon through the holes or use a binder ring. Place in a decorative paper box.

• Origami Ornaments
  Ingredients:
  • Origami paper or any decorative paper cut into perfect squares
  • Embroidery thread
  • Sewing needle

  Directions: Create your origami animal. Use the Sewing needle and thread to create & tie a loop to top of the animal.
  
  For more great origami animal shapes visit www.origami-fun.com.