Best. Gift Guide. Ever.

Photo: Burberry.com

Originally posted in The CLOSET

Who am I to say what makes a great gift?  After all, the beauty of giving is always in the eye of the Christmas-morning-bushy-tailed-beholder and of course, it goes without saying that presents are utterly personal.  The thing that might make me squeal with joy might make someone else inwardly cringe, and while a grom (thanks Urban Dictionary) might go mental over that new board, I'd be like, "Ooh, thanks! Um, sorry, what do I do with this?"

Regardless, these gifts are pretty much guaranteed to delight, whether you're trying to find the perfect thing for your stylish sister, your fitness fanatic friend, your teenage Twihard, your Monster High-obsessed mini-me, your husband who doesn't want anything (really), or even your ever-loyal pooch.  Happy shopping y'all! Only 27 more sleeps! x 

1. Legacy Leather iPad Case, $178, Coach; 2. Chiffon Polka-Dot Blouse, $35, Smart Set; 3. Rowenta Precision Valet Garment Steamer, $159.99, Personal Edge; 4. Michael Kors Runway Watch, $220, Watch It; 5. Kate Spade Photo Frame, $50, The Bay; 6. Opera Length Leather Gloves, $85, Danier; 7. Rollover Boots in Tribe Leather, $248, Roots   

1. Metamorphosis by Tracy Anderson Set, $89.99, Showcase; 2. Yoga Mat, $40, Titika; 3. Burton Feather Snowboard, $399.99, SportChek; 4. Under Armour Seamless Tank, $44.99, SportChek; 5. New Balance Ioxnix Runners, $119.99, Footlocker; 6. Nike SportWatch with GPS, $169.99, SportChek 

 1. Nintendo Wii U 8GB Gaming System, $299.99, The Source; 2. Skull T-Shirt, $14.95, H&M; 3. Vanilla Bean Lipgloss, Bath & Body Works; 4. Just Dance 4, $49.99, EB Games; 5. Legacy Leather Large Wristlet, $108, Coach; 6. Sephora by OPI Gelshine At Home Colour System, $189, Sephora; 7. Wreck This Journal by Keri Smith, $15, Spencer's; 8. 4-Pack Hair Ties, $4.90, Garage

1. Toddler Boys Knight Hoodie, $26.95, babyGap; 2. Monster High Skull Shores Doll, Walmart; 3. Apptivity Angry Birds Game, $19.99, Showcase; 4. VTech Text and Chat Walkie Talkies, $39.99, The Source; 5. Cat Slippers, $9.95, H&M; 6. My Pretty Petal Dollhouse, $82, Walmart

   1. Sephora Favourites Shaving Kit, $25, Sephora; 2. Bowery Quilted Jacket, $448, Coach; 3. Halo 4 Game, $59.99, EB Games; 4. UGG Ascot Men's Slippers, $164.99, Soft Moc; 5. Trans Canada Airlines Small Banff Bag in Tribe Leather, $448, Roots; 6. Samsung Galaxy Tablet 16 GB, $299.99, The Source

1. Jonathan Adler Dog Bowl Mat, $13, The Bay; 2. Printed Legacy Stripe Leather Dog Collar, $88, Coach; 3. Jonathan Adler Chevron Leash, $16, The Bay; 4. Temptation Treats and Hartz Cat Toys, Walmart; 5. HBC Collection Striped Dog Bed, $82.50, The Bay 

Call Me Lazy

  

1. On the Dot iPhone 4 Cover, $35 US, Kate Spade; 2. Rissani Bamboo iPhone Case, $15, Indigo; 3. Whipsnake iPhone 4 Case, $35.50, J.Crew; 4. Tortoise iPhone 5 Case, $35.50, J.Crew; 5. Customizable Photo iPhone Case, $34.95, Casetagram (also available for Samsung Galaxy & iPads); 6. Moustache iPhone Case, $16, Urban Outfitters

Blackberry Curve Commuter Series Strength Case, $34.95, Otterbox (10% of proceeds go towards the Avon Breast Cancer Crusade)

Harper Gray Monogrammed iPhone 5 Cases, Etsy (ps - she also makes amazing stationery and business cards)

Ted Baker London 'Bird Branch' Galaxy S3 Cover, $46.33, Nordstrom

I'll admit that I'm embarassingly slow when it comes to adopting new technology.  Case in point: I just got an iPhone 4S. Call me lazy but I already had an iPhone 3 & couldn't be bothered to figure out a whole new phone, especially now that I've gotten so good(ish) at texting.  And I would have waited for the 5 but I have so many plugs/ports that it felt wasteful to have to buy all new ones.  But you say the Samsung Galaxy is where it's at?  Fine, the phone-tapping, file-sharing thing is super cool, especially if you have friends with great playlists. And their new ads are super compelling.  I want to watch videos while I text, too! Though I question if they're actually trying to create more accidents. Oh, but you over there?  BBM is so amazing, right? I know, I know...you could never give that up.  And sorry, what's an Android? 

I'm confused.   All I know is that I love a pretty phone case since they're an inexpensive way to convey your style while protecting your precious.  I'm not a big fan of overt insignia so my current keeper is made of simple, clear lucite.  These fun little cases are quite fetching, though, esp. that whipsnake number (LOVE), and will protect my poor smartie from the school of hard knocks that is my toddler-filled house. It's a miracle that my phone has survived it all.  The iPad on the other hand....