Ciao, my classy cuties!

As we go into the holidays yet again, I thought I'd give you some maybe-interesting, maybe-different and definitely stylish ideas for holiday gifts this year.  I know I'M always looking for fresh and random gestures so I thought you might be as well.  Already figured out your gifts?  Go away!  You're too organized and planned for us last minute types!  The rest of you, stick around.  Ok, you early deciders can stay too.........but no heckling!!!

One of my favorite gifts is to give friends the gift of charity.  I choose a charity that I know my friends have supported or would like to support, and I make a donation in their name.  When I get the certificate I wrap it up in a calligraphied envelope or tube and there you have a personal and personalized gift!  Different, huh?  Yeah, I thought so!  I love to give girlfriends a favorite, or new-but-perfect-for-them lipstick and package it in a Chinese silk lipstick holder with mirror.  I pick out the just-right lip liner and affix it to the package with a tiny bit of gold ribbon et voila!  A special, and specialized memento!  Wow, I'm on a roll here, aren't I?  I have a new go-to gift for my male friends here in Las Vegas and in colder weather areas as well........ a luxurious set of two pairs of cashmere socks.  Guys never buy those for themselves!  Isn't that a great idea?

Last year I had a gem of an idea for my inlaws and, since I can't reuse ideas, you can have it this year.  I sent them a lobster-gram!  It came as a package of two each of three different types of lobster tails, each from a unique region with beautifully colored shells and each about 6-8 ounces.  I sent them a bottle of champagne to make a lovely and different holiday dinner and they really enjoyed it!

I also had another wowser of a lightbulb for friends'  gifts this year.  I got tired of bringing cheese, chocolate or serving pieces to friends who already had all of the above, so I came up with a new idea.  I decided on portrait sitting gift cards.........either solo for singles, duos for couples, group shots for families or pet photography for those with four legged children.  These cards can be used towards portrait sittings for next year's holiday cards!  Genius, isn't it?

So there you have some of my most clever and chic ideas.  Sure beats ANOTHER copy of Fifty Shades of Grey, right?  Not trendy, but useful, fun and unusual.......the essence of a stylish gift because, as I always say, "trend" is today, "style" is forever!!!!