Somewhere between thoughtful and overwrought, between eccentric and absurd, lies the perfectly quirky but stylish holiday gift.
“Last year it was all about the homemade gift because of the recession. This year it is all about the personal gift,” said Kelley Carter, senior market editor for Real Simple magazine. “People are really getting away from the generic gifts such as sweaters and scarves. They are buying based on the recipient’s personality and interests.”
Emphasis on “recipient’s.” Not necessarily your own.
1. Upward mobility
Combining Lands’ End quality with fashion currency, the Lands’ End Canvas collection boasts a wealth of updated preppy clothing and accessories for women and men at affordable prices. Customer reviews offer smart tips on sizing and versatility. Consider the leather wrap bracelet ($29.50), the men’s Heritage chambray work shirt ($39.50) or the women’s knit sweater hood ($39.50) for a unique convergence of fashion and function. At canvas.landsend.com
2. Gloves for touchy times
Fingerless gloves and “glittens” — a convertible hybrid — have become a winter necessity because of iPhones, iPads and other gadgets. Grab them by the handful — at stocking-stuffer prices. $28 for Fair Isle motif “glittens” at kohls.com. Or, if your recipient lives too far north to expose fingertips even for a second, consider Dots for Opening Ceremony touch-screen-friendly gloves, compatible with gadget operation, $30 at openingceremony.us.
3. Not a scarf — a stole
She may have all the sweaters she needs, but a faux fur stole isn’t likely to be in triplicate in her closet. Yet it’s more versatile than it might seem, wearable in any clime. She can pair it casually with a long-sleeved tank or T-shirt plus skinny jeans and heels for laid-back glam on New Year’s Eve, whether spent inside or out on the town. $88 at anntaylor.com
4. Kiss and make up
We defy a girl not to smile at her reflection when her makeup mirror has designer Sonia Rykiel’s cherry-red lips surrounding it. So let her open it up and say ahhhh. $115 at ikram.com
5. A brush of punk
You might not know her lipstick shade, but you can be sure she abhors a Rudolph-red nose. M.A.C.’s Sweep Me Off My Feet brush set includes five blush/powder brushes and a studded handbag in patchy-punk plaid, with an attachable black patent strap. It’s worthy of accompanying her to the highlands far beyond the bathroom. $49.50 at maccosmetics.com
