| Show By Dennis McCafferty the holidays are just around the comer WEEKEND assembles a panel of the nation's best shoppers to help You know USA OLIDAYS ARE about tradition — a tradition of run- ning around and agoniz- ing which leaves shoppers I I I perplexed about how to LJ purchase a perfectly conceived present Little Jimmy’s sweater sports a solid fit but he’s into the baggy look the boss had a lukewarm reaction to that cute coffee cup (she prefers bottled water) and the significant other has little use for fancy business attire — the office just went casual Tb ease the process USA WEEKEND has gathered expert shoppers for a first-evholiday forum In the discussion it’s clear that mistakes are made because our thinking — not the products — falls short But the good news is that with a touch of creativity and homework a dud can turn into a delight Our distinguished panelists: celebrity shopper Allana Baroni Neiman Marcus holiday catalog queen Ginger Reeder “Gift Guru” author Robyn Freedman Spizman and online shopping entrepreneur Hilary Billings of RedEnvelopecom Without further ado here’s the holidivas: day dish from these Lj er gift-givi- How do you shop for the person who has everything? Spizman: “One can never get enough fine food They may have everything Red Ewelopecom founder Hilary Billings Is the visionary for the upscale shopping site hiat custom designs your gift giving -whether geek your you're shopping for the gadget the adventurer or the 1st on but they still have to eat I like sending honeybell oranges in January They’ll enjoy them long after the holiday fruitcake is already eaten” Baroni: “Think of pairing good y g gifts: For that CEO consider a handcarved rockn noving chair with a great el along with a note saying ‘Take time multi-taskin- high-energ- first-editio- to enjoy a good book’ These are people who are impressed by style” How do you avoid the time of holiday shopping? pressures Billings: “If you think about giftgiving all year long and “hold’ presents until the holidays it’s a much nicer way to go about it After Thanksgiving is a tough time to shop The crowds are terrible And with online shopping it’s much smoother to do it earlier than the rush Just before the holidays you want to think about entertaining people and enjoying your family Not shopping” Reeder “Absolutely I listen to what people say throughout the year I had an associate of mine say offhand in fall that he loves peanut brittle Well that will be his gift this year A gift should reflect that you listen to them and you care about what they say” How do you stay trendy and new without succumbing to cliched gifts? Reeder ‘It’s tough At Neiman Mar cus we have a committee of six people who review the gifts I come up with If anyone says ‘I’ve seen it before’ it’s the kiss of death So you ask for a lot of help from all kinds of places Every time I go to a party I ask people what presents they fantasize about” Billings: “Pick things that will always be in style Certain items — a lovely cashmere sweater — will last forever People are realizing it’s better to have fewer wonderful things than to constantly get things that are suddenly in style” How do you surprise someone with whom you’ve lived for years and know everything about? Spizman: “The manner in which you give a gift can make it so much greater In the morning while your significant other is sleeping take yam and tie it to the gift hide it then unravel the ball of yam throughout the house Then take the other end and tie it to the bed When they wake up slip them a note saying ‘Follow me anywhere’ Make them follow the string until they get to the present” Baroni: “The presentation and gift g can be funny romantic or practical The main thing is that it has meaning behind it A parka packed with fake snow along with an invitation to a snowball fight is a gift that brings a smile as well as something material Give new shoes along with dance les thought-provokin- sons Something you can do together and make like FYed and Ginger” How do you shop for a person with no discernible interests? Baroni: “If they have kids give to them instead Something that inspires creativity — say a lunchbox filled with arts and crafts items” Spizman: “Give gifts with lots of choices Go to Floozcom and buy a gift certificate they can use at dozens of stores Or give a prepaid calling card calls Everybody makes If you travel it’s great to use a card” long-distan- How do you shop for friends and relatives for whom exchanging gifts has long ago become a tedious habit? Spizman: “Start a new tradition Maybe it’s time to draw names and limit the budget It’s more economical and you can give one great gift instead of worrying about what to buy for everybody When is it time to end the old tradition? That depends upon the feelings of those involved When it’s no longer joyful it may be time for a change” Billings: “Come up with a gift that you’ll buy every year and become known for WTe get a huge box of delicious pears every year from an aunt She gives it to everyone in the family She has established this as her tradition and we look forward to it every year” Neiman Marcus’ Ginger Reeder hunts down Hollywood shopper Allana Baroni buys gifts Author Robyn Freedman Spizman (right) al for Kevin Spacey Warren Beatty and Annette of The Perfect Present The Ultimate Gift Bening Harrison Ford and a host of other Guide For Every Occasion Spizman is the ly of the items showcased in the immense- popular Herman Maras Christmas From $225 cashmere mittens to a “desk TV" to a $20 miBoo submarine that sleeps 1L Book h One memorable presort A $10000 virtual golf game for Clint 380-to- o Eastwood “Gift Gum’ whs has appeared on CNN CNNfn Oprah Winfrey's Oxygen Network and marry other programs USA WEEKEND Dec t 3 2000 7 |
