Gift Guide, Part 9

Bring back the art of personal correspondence!

Start by giving a faraway friend this book about letter writing to get the ball rolling ($12.95), or maybe a luxurious stationery perfume ($19.50). Choose from Felix Doolittle's charming illustrations and send a gift of return address labels ($42 for 100) to embellish any envelope - or maybe a hand-lettered stamp by Maybelle for $125. These customized letterpress notecards by Simplesong are also a great deal - 15 cards and envelopes for $27.

And if your friend prefers to keep her writing private, or wants a sweet way to jot down thoughts, give her a journal with her name on it from Paper+Cup, for $37.50 - and don't forget to use your Snippet & Ink discount code to get 10% off: SWALLOW10

I hope you've enjoyed my gift guide this year! You can see more of my favorite things, including more gift ideas, at Wishpot (if you don't know about Wishpot yet, definitely check it out - it's the perfect way to organize your registry and gift lists - for free!). If there's anything that you just can't believe I missed, please leave a comment and share. And if you have any great ways to save, don't keep it to yourself!

Gift Guide, Part 8

To the bookworms in your life...

To embellish those beloved books, these are some of my favorite personalized bookplates found on Etsy, by Avie ($20), Cricicis ($15), Oiseaux ($15.25), and Cabin ($6) - great prices for a thoughtful and personalized (and handmade) gift!

Favorite books are always a great gift, but subscriptions will remind the recipient of you all year long. One of my absolute favorite magazines, and the perfect gift for anyone in the western United States, is Sunset Magazine, for $16. A more literary option is a subscription to One Story (thank you to Victoria for introducing this to me), a non-profit magazine that sends subscribers a short story every three weeks.

Gift Guide, Part 7

If the stylish people in your life have been extra good this year, here are some pieces that I think are both stylish and timeless...

Brought back to life by a brief J.Crew campaign, Dulken & Derrick's fabric flowers are a lovely way to embellish a cardigan, cocktail dress, or even a headband. There are colors and styles for every taste, ranging in price from $25 to $375.

Unique gifts - things that no one else has - are so special, and often require more effort and thought than stopping by the mall. A vintage watch, in any number of styles and prices, for your favorite guy or girl is one of those unique, thoughtful gifts. A custom dress shirt is another (and a great idea for groomsmen), starting at $110 from Alexander West and $60 from 9tailors. Also, Snippet & Ink reader, Karen, shared Bonobos trousers with me. Starting at $110, I could see giving them to your favorite guy, or even having your groomsmen wear them.

As a kid, I remember giving my dad a tie or suspenders for every holiday, birthday, gift-giving occasion. Here are some that would definitely have made it into my shopping basket: vintage-style ties from Barneys for $125 (also seen on the eternally cool East Side Bride), cotton shirting ties from Steven Alan on sale for $29, and these necklaces made of old neckties for $20 (maybe not for my dad, but my sister would love it!).

Of all the things I'm coveting this year, these sunglasses by Nom de Guerre x Oliver Peoples are at the top of the list. Maybe it's because they're pricey ($325), or because I can't find them anywhere (leads are much appreciated). Really, though, I think it's because of the classic, somewhat masculine look that I'm not sure I'm cool enough to pull off. In a pinch, these Ray-Ban Wayfarers might suffice.

What are you coveting this year? Share with the group and get it off your chest! And be sure to stop by later for more gift ideas.

Gift Guide, Part 6

Here are some ideas for anyone on your list whose preferred vacation is the road trip.

Maybe this is my mom talking, but I wouldn't want to drive anywhere without AAA roadside assistance. Flat tire, out of gas, keys locked in the car, dead battery? Not a problem if you've got AAA! Plus, with a membership, you can get all kinds of free maps and travel guides, plus deals on things like hotel rooms. At $54 for a year, this is a great (albeit very practical) gift for the road-tripper.

If you're making gifts this year, a car travel kit is a good one for the wandering soul. Fill a sturdy box with tools, maps, a notepad to write down directions, and the recipient can slide it right under her seat. And even though it's good to have a small flashlight in there, a big MagLite is a great thing to keep in the car, and at $24 it's an excellent gift.

Travel books are always a good thing to have for any trip, including road trips. Some that you might give to your road tripping friends are, 1,000 Places to See in the USA and Canada Before You Die to inspire ($14), Road Food to get a taste of the local eats ($15), any of the Wallpaper City Guides ($8.95), and though it's out of print, I love my little Lonely Planet Blue & BBQ guide.

No road trip would be complete without good tunes. Load up an iPod shuffle ($49) with some of your best playlists, and some really good podcasts - This American Life and RadioLab are two of my absolute favorites, and you can subscribe to them for free on iTunes.

And if your friend can't seem to get away long enough for a road trip, tide them over with a wonderfully kitschy hand-embroidered pillow of her favorite city or state, for $149.

Gift Guide, Part 5

Some pretty little things...

Give your eternally stylish sister or friend a chic little coin purse, on sale for $87.50. Or maybe a set of 100 letterpress calling cards from Mandate Press for $95 (they have seven styles, or you can design your own).

For fun - maybe as a stocking stuffer - I adore this box of beauty marks from Bell'occhio for $12. There are hearts, clubs, diamonds, spades and circles, and each one has a special meaning. Very sassy.

Anyone who has ever wrapped a gift would love to receive 5 yards of Angela Liguori's gorgeous cotton Italian ribbon, for $9. Or, if you want to splurge, rolls of 200+ yards of ribbon are on sale right now for $90.

Gift cards are probably the least personal gift you can give, but sometimes they make the most sense (with companies going out of business, though, I might suggest getting a Visa or MasterCard gift card that can be used anywhere). If you do go with a gift card, package it in a cute little wallet you can make yourself.

Gift Guide, Part 4

Welcome to part 4 of this year's Snippet & Ink gift guide! I think edible gifts are probably one of the most fun - to give and to receive. You can make them yourself, you can share your favorites, and you don't have to worry that the recipient won't wear them.

A family friend introduced me to Theo's Bread & Chocolate bar, and you might wonder how that works. It's dark chocolate mixed with little bits of buttery toasted breadcrumbs for crunch, and a bit of salt for contrast. I think I'm not doing it justice, so I recommend trying it for yourself, and then giving one to all the chocolate lovers in your life, for $3.25.

I'll admit that I never understood giving boxes of fruit as a gift, but that all changed last year when two things happened: I spent my first winter in a place where it snows for five months straight, and I tried Harry & David's Royal Riviera pears for the first time. For $29.95, this is a great gift to send to loved ones in need of something sweet and fresh (really, they're better than candy - and I like candy a lot).

For the new cook, how about an out-of-print cookbook? The 1975 edition of The Joy of Cooking is a favorite in my family, and my sister swears by The Classic Pasta Cookbook by Giuliano Hazan. You can find them used (try Amazon, Alibris, and eBay) for as little as $5.

If you're shopping for newlyweds, how about a retro-style picnic basket for two ($160). Or if you're looking for a totally unique gift for a foodie couple, reserve a spot at one of Outstanding in the Field's dinners (starting at $180 per person), or adopt an olive tree in their name for £65.00 a year.

Do you have any edible goodies that you love to give or get? Any special recipes that you're making this year?

Gift Guide, Part 3

Here's part 3 of my gift guide - but this isn't the last of it! Be sure to stop by tomorrow for more and to share your own gift ideas.

With a new emphasis on buying local foods, a "Victory Garden starter kit" is a great gift for anyone with a green thumb. You can buy individual heirloom seed packets for around $2, or you can go with an entire garden's worth for $90.

For the rest of your friends - the ones with a little less gardening experience - paperwhite or amaryllis bulbs are nice gifts that are totally budget friendly. Three paperwhite bulbs will cost you about $4 (or less if you buy in bulk), and with some clever packaging, they make for a good gift for just about anyone (these are good to keep around the house as gifts for last minute dinner guests).

One of my favorite gift ideas - a way to bring a little sunshine in during the winter - is to give a potted Meyer lemon tree (about $50). Definitely more charming than a ficus, and it's something to enjoy year-round.

And for the friend who couldn't keep a cactus alive, a silly magic Christmas tree for $5.89. Just add the packet of magic goo (what is that stuff?), and you'll have a miniature Christmas tree in just six hours!

Gift Guide, Part 2

Okay, on with Part 2 of this year's gift guide! And keep sharing your ideas, too - what are you giving this year, or hoping to get? What

I love to give gifts that are small luxuries - something that a person would probably not buy for herself. Like a $16 bar of soap for example. Claus Porto makes the most delicious smelling shea butter soaps, in even more delicious packaging - I'm not sure I'd want to cover them up with wrapping paper! If you want something a little more classic with a more mild fragrance, try a block of Savon de Marseilles for $12, handmade in the south of France.

Another special gift that smells delightful is the scented talcum powder from Santa Maria Novella. For $40, it is a lovely way to remind someone of a trip to Florence - even if you've never been there.

For your displaced friend from California, how about Melissa Flagg's Clementine perfume roller for $42? Created with the scent of Southern California in mind, it's a favorite of the starlets (or so I've heard). Or maybe a solid perfume would do - for $55, Marc Jacobs is still a favorite of mine.

Gift Guide, Part 1

I'm excited to share some of my gift ideas with you this week! I know they're a little late, but if you're anything like me, you're still in the midst of getting all of your holiday gifts figured out. So a procrastinator's gift guide it is...

For those wonderful ladies in your life, how about a perfectly gorgeous - and customized - charm bracelet from M&B Vintage? Just tell them about the recipient, any special and personal details, and they will create a charm bracelet that is absolutely unique and full of appropriate trinkets. If you like this idea but M&B's prices are a little out of your range, look for a vintage charm bracelet on eBay (this one is only at $9.95!).

I think it's apparent by now that Sonya Renee is one of my favorite places to find lovely jewelry, especially for pretty little gifts. Their prices start at $38 for a pair of earrings, or you could splurge on one of the delicate monogram necklaces paired with a tiny gem.

For less girliness - but just a little less sparkle - how about these really cool metal crest earrings from TomTom Jewelry? All I can say is they're just really cool.

What sparkly gifts are you loving this year? Do tell! And definitely stop by later today for Part 2 of my gift guide.