Category Archives: holiday

the how-to: my never-fail, super-secret holiday shopping tips

Well. Have you had your fill of gift guides yet? Have I officially stuffed your stocking with oodles of holiday ideas? If you’re still stumped, don’t worry: I’ll have more ideas as the Big Day draws near. And if you just can’t wait, send me an email. I do love a good challenge, and I’m more than happy to handle the whole thing for you.

To wrap up (yep, had to do it) this little annual tradition of ours, I thought I’d share a few of my favorite gifting tips for those of you who are still on the hunt for that perfect fit. And so…drumroll please…allow me to present Becki’s Top Five Never-Fail, Super-Secret Holiday Shopping Tips! (I’ll admit, the name needs some work):

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get gifting: the jet set

A few too many of my dear friends qualify as full-fledged jetsetters: they’re off to who knows where on a moment’s notice, rack up frequent flyer miles like they’re calories during the holidays, and can instantly tell you the best hotel to stay at in any city around the world. Then again, though most of my travel is of the “wishful thinking” variety, there’s not a thing in this travel gift guide I wouldn’t love to find under my tree. Just goes to show, whatever her (or his) mode of transport, these picks are positively sure to please.

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get gifting: foodie finds

If there’s anything I love as much as shopping, it’s food. Eating out, cooking in, buying totally unnecessary specialty equipment (wait, that’s technically shopping…) – however you slice it, I have a serious culinary side. So I like to think I have a special knack when it comes to picking out gifts for the foodie on your list. Believe me when I tell you there’s not a thing on this list I wouldn’t swoon to see under my tree. Except possibly that Shun knife, but only because I already have one (trust me: it will change your life).

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get gifting: for the kids

Jennefer T. ~ While on Christmas morning, I’m certainly looking forward to unwrapping the new Frye boots I have hinted about non-stop, there is nothing quite like seeing a child open the perfect gift. Their eyes widen, their heart races and all the wonder of the holidays is suddenly there in the room. On the flip side, nothing is worse than giving a kid a gift that fails to deliver this reaction (lesson learned: socks always result in a limp shrug and a sigh from just about any six-year-old). Luckily, this kid’s gift guide virtually guarantees to deliver all of the squeals, smiles and holiday delight you’re hoping to see on that wee one’s face.

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get gifting: the perfect host

If you ask me, a Martha Stewart wannabe is the easiest person in the world to buy for. Give them something beautiful to display, something they can use at their next party, or something they can drink at this one, and you’re done.  Trust me: tote along any of these surefire hostess gifts, and you’re guaranteed a repeat invite.

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get gifting: at the spa

Welcome to Gift Guide Season at SMC! For the next week (or so), we’ll have dozens of ideas for every last impossible-to-buy-for person on your holiday list. By the time we’re done, you’ll have made that list, checked it twice, and settled in for a long winter’s nap. Enjoy!

For most of the girls who’ll lust after this list, their holiday fantasy is a Sephora shopping spree. To make sure you deliver the perfect find, I’ve done months of exhaustive testing and culled the best of the best from the legion of holiday gift sets you’ll see this season. The result? My favorite beauty gift guide yet. Those Stila lip glazes are just the thing for your gloss-addicted friend, the Origins set is perfect for the boho glam girl on your list, and really, does Bobbi Brown ever get it wrong?

As for me, I’d be happy to curl up in those unbelievably soft Eberjey pajamas, snuggle into those limited-edition leopard UGG slippers and call it a night.

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cyber monday sale roundup

Don’t quit now…a handful of those lovely Cyber Monday codes are still good! Check out our updated list for your last shot at the best steals.

Ordinarily, I loathe this whole post-Thanksgiving shopping frenzy. But this year, I have so many deals just sitting in my inbox, it seems a shame (and downright rude, really) not to share them with you. So as they roll in, I’m posting them here. You’ll see the newest deals at the top, and I’ll rotate out the old ones as they expire (as best I can). Also, I’m only running codes for sitewide deals…no “limited edition” gift sets here. Enjoy…and if you spy a great deal, please share it in the comments!

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family time is cocktail time

It’s almost time, friends. Time for the family to descend en masse, time for turkey and pie and stuffing and…well, sky-high piles of dirty dishes. But I digress.

What do we most need to get us through this four-day family extravaganza? Well, a spirit of thankfulness wouldn’t hurt. Even a cynic like me would do well to remember occasionally that I’m much better off than millions of other people. I have a roof, a full fridge, a fuller closet, and people who love me. That’s quite a lot, really.

What else do we need? Cocktails. Because I don’t know about you, but my family is generally much more pleasant to be around after we’ve all had a nip or two.

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