Ho Ho Ho --a Glimpse of Christmas/Holiday, Future

The All Star Parade really has nothing to do with this post, other than I was trying to cross the street to attend a holiday preview, and it took me 10 minutes to do so! A car with David Ortiz is slowly making it's way down 6th Avenue in the left hand photo, amidst a sea of "boos" (which i didn't think was very nice even if this is a Yankees town) and the crowd in the right hand photo is rushing to get a glimpse of A-Rod (who hasn't been behaving very nicely either, lately).

It may seem like a long way off until the holidays, but they'll be here before you know it. We're already seeing "back to school" items, and wishing Summer would last a little longer. Holiday gifts will always run the gamut from "dollar store" to "champagne dreams" but with higher prices on just about everything, more modestly-priced items will be "what's hot" this year. Here are some of the items I've loved so far for the holidays (or for now):

These colorful items from Lodis are a perfect example of chic, but not over-the-top pricey. The pink, purple, blue and green Credit Card Case with Zipper Pocket from the Lodis "Very Hot Collection" are only $48.00, and there's a magnetic closure credit card/business card case in the same four sizzling, metallic leather, for just $42.00 The clutches on the left, also from Lodis,



I just loved these adorable, tweed earmuffs from Hat Attack Biki Baja. Earmuffs look cute, hold your hair in place without flattening it, and keep your head warm, but they're usually in boring leather, velvet or plastic. These come in black, chocolate or grey! Other tweed items in the collection include full hats, tote bags, and slippers.

Amrita Singh's accessories are sold at Amrita's sold at some of North America's top stores such as:Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom, Macy’s, Intermix, and Holt Renfrew, but you can also buy them online. They will add color to your holidays, or right now, for that matter. Her bamboo-textured, substantial enamel bangles come in a variety of bright, resort-worthy colors such as orange, lime and deep blue. A set of three is $100.00. Singh's Bangle Bangle bracelets are a collection of hand-made bangles from India, made from a variety of materials including wood, metal, and ‘lac’ (clay/wax material); they are embellished with several varieties of clear and colored stones, crystals, hand-enamel work, silk threading, and much more and start at just $50.00.

on the higher end of things, who could resist a fluffy down comforter from the Company Store? The St. Tropez Reversible Down Comforter has 500-550 down stuffing diamond quilted to keep the down in place. You can get this in a Down-Free version, too. The outer cover is 232-thread count cotton, an comes in seven different colors. Best of all, it's just $119.00. This is a gift that's perfect for someone that's always cold, or just because it's warm and cuddly! These can even be machine washed. The Company Store has tons of other comforters in different weights, too.

A computer is always a welcome and impressive gift This Dell Studio Notebook is under $800.00 and it's available in Staples Stores and Staples Online . It has a 15.4" display screen, 3 GB of memory and 250 GB of hard drive. Two things that make this notebook fun are the assorted colors (red, orange, pink, purple, blue and black) and also if the security protector that lets you identify the user with a thumbprint recognition (the little square on the bottom right hand side of the keyboard)-cool!

Give your fashionista friends something functional and fun, that won't go out of fashion: Joy Mangano's Huggable Hangars, available for at HSN and http://www.hsn.com/ in 12/20 and 48 packs for shirts or suits and pants. The Advice Sisters reviewed these in our June 2007 "What Works" Beauty, Cosmetics & Fashion review column. I really love these hangars that are made of medium-impact polystyrene, with a flocked, velvety cover that grips even the slipperiest of fabrics -- I mean, they really will not fall off until you take them off, yet they're gentle to fabric. These can hold lingerie, but also anything up to 10 lbs, without breaking. This really makes a great gift for a hostess or housewarming gift, and to help organize your own closets, of course.

Also at HSN and http://www.hsn.com/ are items from supermodel Iman's Global Chic collection. Iman has traveled all over the world, and collected pieces that inspired her, from the plains of Africa to the Hollywood Hills. These look even better in person than in photos. The green Shopping Bag Tote $89.95 is large enough to be a weekender bag and also comes in red, green, black and white with natural straps, and there's also a denim version with red patent straps. The Hollywood Clutch $49.95 comes in black patent, snake skin and black matte. This one makes a great business bag, since you can put folders in it, or even a small laptop.

I love the Nike ACG (all conditions gear) clothing line that debuted last year. The innovative, sporty but fashionable line (see my review of the Summer SPF-protection clothing for men and women (and a few items for children) is exclusive to exclusive the 315 Dicks Sporting Goods Stores in 34 states, or at http://www.dickssportinggoods.com/ These pieces (available in stores and online at the end of August) are not only colorful, they're layer-able, in high-tech fabrics and range in price from pants and tops around $40.00 (this Zip Tech Top is $50.00) to a gorgeous Caledonia Systems Jacket with an outer jacket and inner liner that's like two jackets in one $250.00.


...remember that it's the thought that counts, not the size of the gift. But wrapping something in really great paper makes the gift that much better. Staples has personalized printing services that let you create paper goods that are a perfect expression of you. I particularly like the wrapping paper shown in the photo that let you design one with "Fido" dressed as Santa, or perhaps, a picture of the family! If nothing else, it makes gift wrapping, fun!

*note from alison: these products are for the holidays 2008, so some of these may not be immediately available. If you don't see them online or in the stores, please contact the companies, directly