Gifts That Pamper
It's getting to that time in the holiday season, when ideas remain elusive if you still haven't found the perfect gift for anyone on your list.
Which is where The Early Show style Maven Christy Ferer come in. She has a holiday roundup of all sorts of pampering gifts to please each of the five senses.
TASTE
Treats to Satisfy the Palate
Holiday Tower: A set of three tiered boxes with treats like nuts, dried fruit, cookies, as well traditional confections like English toffee, chocolate pretzels and pecan mud puddles. The set also includes refreshing peppermint bark and peppermint bark cookies. All are tucked inside elegant boxes tied with a grosgrain bow. $90. redenvelope.com
Champagne to Tickle the Taste Buds
Taittinger Collection Champagne: Special edition champagnes featuring different artists for different vintages, includes '92 Vintage with bottle designed by surrealist Roberto Matta, $380. Available at specialty wine shops.
Taittinger Brut La Francaise: Fragrant berry and white fruit aromas, underscored by toasty yeasty notes are confirmed on the ample elegant palate which is strongly marked by refined Chardonnay fruit flavors. Half bottles available for $20. taittinger.com
Food: The Way to Someone's Heart is Through Their Stomach
Omaha Steaks Item of the Month: Customized gift plan of gourmet delights such as filet mignot, porter house and boneless strip steaks. Steak packages start at $39.99 and up. Available at omahasteaks.com
SMELL
Fragrances to Add Ambience to any Environment
Anthousa Home Fragrances: Wooden sticks draw perfumed liquid from glass antique-styled bottles up into the air -- filling the surroundings with subtle scents from the Mediterranean. $65/Trio Bouquet, $60, 8.3 oz. or $90, 16.7oz. Available at select stores nationwide, including Neiman Marcus.
Shampoo to Pamper the Hair & Body
Philosophy Hot Toddies Cookbook Shampoo Kit: A trio of soothing cold-weather tamers. Set includes 3-in-1 Shampoo, Conditioner, and Body Washes in Apple Cider, Double Rich Hot Cocoa, and Old Fashioned Egg Nog (4 oz each). Ideal for teenage gals who like to pamper their hair. $30.00. sephora.com
Flowers to Fill a Room with Fresh Scents
Months in Bloom: Give a gift of flowers every month -- delivered automatically. Choose from 3, 6, or 12 months, and flowers will begin arriving at the gift recipient's door! 3 Months for $144.99, 6 Months for $279.99, and 12 Months for $554.99. 1800flowers.com
SOUND
Music to Uplift and Soothe the Soul
Music Gift Sets: Classic artists include "Fifty Years: The Artistry of Tony Bennett," 5-CD Set, $45, or "Seven Steps: The Complete Columbia Recordings of Miles Davis 1963-1964," $110. Go to legacyrecordings.com
Soothing Sounds that Relax
Sharper Image Sound Machine: Premier Sound Soother system with LCD remote control, 50 soundscapes, dual built-in stereo speakers and a powerful built-in subwoofer that boasts state-of-the-art aluminum-cone driver technology. 30 wonderful new soundscapes include Brass Chimes, Crickets, Buggy Ride, Hair Dryer (why not?) and many more! $199.95. sharperimage.com
TOUCH
Super Soft Sheets that Lull You to Sleep
1000 Thread Count Sheet Set: Luxuriously comfy sheets provide a perfect excuse to turn in early or sleep in late. 100% Egyptian cotton queen sheet set with a 1000 thread count(woven with durable, two-ply yarns), includes one fitted sheet, one flat sheet and two standard pillow cased. $199.99. bedbathandbeyond.com
Skin Products that Smooth the Skin
Skin: Apothecary Salt Scrubs: This salt glow is extremely gentle with only the finest-milled salt available to ensure that exfoliation is never too extreme. Costume blended with grapeseed, wheat germ, Vitamins A & E and pressed fruit rind oils to restore moisture to the skin. Available in citrus, lavender mint and tangerine. $28.00/16 oz. skinanapothecary.com
Fabrics that Wrap You in Softness
Spiegel Silk/Cashmere Sweet Dream Robe, $98.00. spiegel.com
Cashmere Sweater Wrap by Sonya Madden, $345. saks.com
SIGHT
Bejeweled Accessories that Enhance Your Look
Freshwater Cultured Pearl Rope Necklace (7.5mm): This unusual 100" necklace can be worn in several classic styles. Loop the necklace multiple times to create a twisted look or vary the loop lengths for several graduated strands. $325. bluenile.com
Use brooches to update traditional pearls:
Flower Brooch: coral and gold enamel pin from Liz Claiborne, $22. Available at lizclaiborne.com
Shell Brooch: gold, diamond and pearl pin from Chanel, $430. Available at chanel.com
Oval Vintage-inspired Brooch: Citrine, rose cut diamonds in 18K white gold from Ettra Designs. Retails for $875. Go to jic.org
Art Museums for Viewing the Masterpieces
Museum Memberships inspire and cultivate an appreciation for art. Membership costs vary according to each museum, but generally start at about $50, and include free admission for one year, along with invitations to previews or special exhibitions. Discounts for guest tickets, programs, and museum merchandise may also be offered. Larger museums may even offer discounts on local hotels, parking facilities and other amenities. Yearly subscriptions may also be up to 100% tax-deductible. The Virtual Library Museum Phile web site lists 1,348 museums in the United States. Go to vlmp.museophile.com
Reading to Escape and/or Fuel the Imagination
Assouline Vintage Wine Crate Library: Handcrafted wooden crates hold collections of books culled from Assouline's new titles and bestsellers. Available in two subject categories. The Art & Design collection includes: Eileen Gray, Robert Indiana, Pierre Paulin, Antiquaires, Rajasthan, Asian Art, African Forms, and The Art Game Book. $395.00
Assouline Library Trunk: The trunk was created for Assouline by Goyard as a traveling library of 100 of its famous Memoire collection. Half of the titles are available only as part of the traveling Library and no where else. The Memoire collection covers a variety of topics from fashion, art, style and design. The Goyard Assouline trunk is available exclusively at SAKS FIFTH AVENUE at its stores in NYC, Chicago and Bal Harbour or by special order. Retail $11,495.00
Assouline BIBLIOTHEQUE Candle with library scent, $45.00. Go to assouline.com