GIFTS FOR GIRLS: What women really want this year!

KULJEET KAILA
VANCOUVER DESI

Holiday shopping is a breeze until you get to that one person on the list that has everything!  What to get?  That person on my list is my mom.  It takes longer to find her a gift than to do my entire shopping for the rest of the family.

For the other women on my list – I had to find a store with options.  I walked into Ishara in gastown and found more than just clothes.  Jewelry, artwork and bags!  It was also quiet first thing in the morning and no busy line ups or insane parking issues too.

Here are more tips and ideas for those stuck for what to get the special gals in your life.  Attention: Men – this is kinda for you.

Be it your mom, sister, wife or daughter – here is this year’s top hits among the ladies.

1.  Spa gift card – for my mom (the hardest person to shop for) any kind of service she uses a few times over the year seems to be the best gift for her.  Pedicures is her favourite thing.  But if you have a gal who likes facials or is thinking of laser, botox, thinning wraps or a few spa treats – find a spa that provides more than just manis/pedis and a get a gift certificate where they can use towards a larger menu of services.  This not only gives them time in a spa but also a good variety.  I went to http://www.sauntemedicallaserspa.com/ - tons of services, certified doctors and technicians and just a really great space!

2.  Gift card to an entire mall vs. just a store – again don’t limit them to a store, give them options.  Most malls sell gift cards at their main customer service desks.  This way they can get shoes, clothes, purses or something for you

3.  Tote bags – a girl can never have enough purses or bags to carry her stuff.  I like to donate older or used purses to make room for new trends.  These tots are great for shopping, inexpensive and with images of designer purses on them. Clever and cute meet.

4.  Decorative Candles – light up any room with scents and mood lighting.  Voluspa has a great selection of classic candles, mini star tins and 2 wick Metallo tin candles.  Tins, fancy glassware – these candles are more of a statement for any room too!

5.  Candle, soaps and magic potions, too.  I also bought a selection of various kinds of candles in glass jars, tea light and matching soaps and oils at http://www.themysticmasala.com/contact.html   All the gal pals got a nice new scarf shawl from Little India on Main street in Vancouver along with candles!  It was kind of nice to give certain scents/themes/moods to certain people.  Make the gifts more personal.

6.  Watches are all the new rage and the biggest jewelry trend of 2012 – the more blinged out the better.  This La Mer wrap watchgoes for $110 – it’s the one piece of jewelry that you can’t go wrong with!

7.  Wallets with chains, clutches and anything skinny is sleek.  Going out on the town requires compact carrying of thecell phone, make up, money etc.  These are a few hits for the holiday seaons

8.  Artwork and matching top?  Why not!  Something for a teen’s room and closet (see image below).

9. Chunky necklaces.  From the $15 pieces at the girly stores such as Icing or http://www.charlotterusse.com to the items that will be kept for years.  If you really want to make an impression – find a vintage piece like this one at a local antique store!  Makes for a great heirloom too!

10.  Matching scents – if you want to get a gal something scented, go for a combo buy or match it up and buy items from thesame label, group together in a gift basket and viola – a great basket! Feel free to throw in a few little items like bath puffs, at home nail care, rings or more. Lotions, powder and shower gels vs.  liquid perfumes.  Anything in pink will do.

(Some of the items featured are from Ishara is gastown - candles, tote bags, artwork and matching tank top & more!  Their motto is fashion curated and it is really like an art showroom in this hidden treasure in gastown.  One stop shopping if you need to buy for multiple women – different ages, sizes and all!)

Consumer reporter Kuljeet Kaila can be reached at www.KJmedia.ca

Tags: bags, best ideas, candles, clutches, consumer, gastown, gifts for girls, gifts for women, giving, holiday gifts, ideas, Ishara, jewelry, local finds, purses, spa, the Mystic Masala, totes, where to shop