Luxury is not all about price. It’s about treating yourself or a loved one to something special. There are things we might not buy throughout the year, even if we can afford to. And there are things we will simply not buy for ourselves, because they are special indulgences… but that doesn’t mean we wouldn’t like them to show up under the tree.
A beautiful handbag is a great choice for most women. Depending on the gal, you might choose something she can wear every day, like the lovely Cobble Hill Leslie by Kate Spade NY (shown in Dark African Violet ) or something a little special, like this gorgeous Le Icon clutch by indie designer Dareen Hakim.
Luxury beauty items always make fabulous gifts. LaPrairie makes amazing products and any one of them would be a real treat, but unless you received specific instructions or request, I would go for something that doesn’t have “antiaging” in its name (or “firming” anything that implies something needs to be fixed) and pick something like this Advanced Marine Biology Revitalizing Emulsion, which says “because I love you and you deserve it” rather than “because you desperately need it” 
Designer fragrances are a very popular gift in Italy, and what I have learned is that when choosing a fragrance as a gift, two things are as important as whether it smells good to us: 1. choose an Eau de Perfum, which has a higher concentration of oils, and 2. remember that this is a gift, so pay attention to the bottle. The Giorgio Armani Oud Royal Eau De Parfum comes in this sleek, incredibly chic bottle that will look good no matter her decor.
Then of course there is the classic luxury item: jewelry. Very few women will say no to a pair of simple diamond studs; these, the Eclat from 77Diamonds.com, feature the classic round cut and are available in your choice of gold (white, yellow, rose) or platinum. Or if the recipient prefers the fun and quirky to the classics, go for a unique statement piece from an indipendent jewelry designer, like this gorgeous baroque cuff by ELYONA.
Now, let’s move on to the guys. I find men kind of hard to shop for, but that’s because as a woman, I like variety and I expect them to want variety in their gifts as well. Most guys I know, however, tend to stick with their favorites. A beautiful leather belt will never go to waste, especially if it’s reversible like this Burberry one. Same goes for a great watch, especially a stainless steel chronograph, which in my experience is the most popular choice. (The one above is by Seiko.) A warm, elegant-but-unfussy scarf will also always be put to good use, especially if your guy lives somewhere as cold as it has been here lately (snow, anyone?) I really like this Mulberry cashmere scarf – and not just because it would look just as good on me as it would on my husband… speaking of which, how about a gift he can share? These Alexander McQueen aviators are unisex and will look as fabulous on you as they will on him.
Last but not least, some geek-chic gifts. Tablets are a common wishlist item these days, be it an iPad or a more modest Kindle Fire
Happy shopping!
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