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It's a make-it or break it time for retailers. The holiday selling season is always a critical time for retailers, but this year this may be even more true. With several retailers already falling victim to a drop in consumer spending, and filing for bankruptcy, retailers will be navigating through some tricky waters. Consumers are strapped for cash due to high energy and food prices, and unemployment is rising. The recent credit crunch has made it more challenging for retailers and consumers to borrow.

This blog will look at the winners and losers in the retail space. Who has the right strategy to capture consumer dollars? It also will look for trends in consumer spending and how that will impact the economy.

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Dec.23

5:04 PM ET

Tuesday, 23 Dec 2008

Last-Minute Gifts for Her … and for Him

Posted By:Cindy Perman

Topics:Holiday Central | Economy (U.S.) | Consumers

Sectors:Personal and Household Goods | Retail

If you're that guy who waits until Christmas Eve to do his shopping, no sweat! We've got some great gift ideas for you that won't scream I-just-bought-this-it's-still-cool-to-the-touch-from-the-trunk.

Source: anntaylor.com
The importance of cashmere at Christmas cannot be stressed enough.

We'll make you a hero.

FOR THE LADIES:

Electronic photo wallet. Less expensive than a digital photo frame (also a great gift, btw) but more substantial than the photo keychain, this is a great gift to replace those bulky, crumpled photo inserts for your wallet. Macy's [M Loading... () ] has one a $30 electronic photo wallet that's the size of a credit card and can hold up to 60 color images. You can also get them at Wal-Mart [WMT Loading... () ], Best Buy [BBY Loading... () ], J&R Music, PC Richards and other retailers.

Cashmere. If you remember nothing else from this list, remember cashmere. You can go to any department store, any women's clothing store and find soft, luxurious cashmere things that she'll go crazy for, from sweaters to hats, gloves, socks — even pajamas. And, this year in particular, you're going to get great sales on cashmere, given the recession. Cashmere sweaters often go to 50-percent off in the days before Christmas, and 2-for-$100 is a typical deal, but you're going to see even better sales this year.

If you've already got her a big present, why not top it off with cashmere gloves and a scarf? Your only task is to figure out which colors she likes and which colors look good on her. Take a quick peek in her closet on your way out the door. Some good places to shop for cashmere: Macy's, JCPenney [JCP Loading... () ] and Ann Taylor [ANN Loading... () ].

Gifts that make a difference. Getting her a hand-woven fruit bowl from Macy’s that benefits poor artists in Africa is the Christmas equivalent of bringing a dog to the park. She’ll see your softer, sensitive side, probably give you a big, “Awwww,” followed by a smooch! And, unlike the dog, you don’t have to take the bowl out for a walk on icy winter mornings. It’s a win-win!

A Spa Basket. You could buy her a nice big fluffy robe. Or a nice set of bubble baths and lotions. But if you want to really dazzle her with pampering, go to TJMaxx [TJX Loading... () ], Marshall’s, Bed Bath & Beyond [BBBY Loading... () ] or Target [TGT Loading... () ] and get the largest (but most tasteful) basket you can find. Then, fill it with a big, fuzzy robe from one of those stores or Macy’s, plus the slippers, bubble bath, shea-butter lotion, massage oil, hand cream, eye mask, scented candle — the works. Try something from the Body Shop, like body butter and shimmer lotion in Warm Amber or Rich Plum. (Incidentally, their products also have the “Aww” factor, using moisturizing ingredients from the Community Trade fair-trade program.) You could even throw a bottle of champagne in there. Or a coupon to her local salon for a manicure and pedicure. The fact that you went big, and had to make more than one stop, is sure to be a hit.

Quick Tip: Make sure you know the type of scents your lady likes. If she hates vanilla, don’t get her vanilla bean lotion. To be on the safe side, take a quick peek in the shower on your way out the door.

A Gourmet Coffee Basket. If your lady is a coffee lover, why not get her the best of the best? Use the big basket trick you learned with the spa gifts and fill it with a gourmet coffee press she can take to the office, along with a couple of big bags of Starbucks [SBUX Loading... () ] coffee — or, better yet, coffee you hand-picked from Whole Foods [WFMI Loading... () ] — a travel tumbler, a big bag of biscotti, some Godiva truffles, chocolate-covered coffee beans or coffee-coated almonds from Starbucks, some Organic Coffee Bean Caffeine Eye Cream (it reduces swelling) from the Body Shop, a coffee-shop music CD, and a copy of “Uncommon Grounds: The History of Coffee and How it Transformed Our World.”

Ed Hardy Gear. If she’s trendy, go for an Ed Hardy t-shirt, handbag or watch. They’re tattoo-inspired designs, which are really hot right now. And don’t worry: Even though the T-shirt s says “Love Kills,” I’ll bet you it will do anything but! Available at Ed Hardy stores, Nordstrom [JWN Loading... () ] and some smaller boutiques.

Quick Tip: Try to find ladies-only t-shirts. They’re also called baby-doll T’s. They’re far more flattering, which will make your lady feel sexier. And you know what that means! Has anyone seen my Barry White album?

Diamond Stud Earrings. Whether she’s a trendy lady or not, diamond earrings are sure to be a hit. And, at this late hour, it will be a lot less frustrating than if you were looking for the perfect gold locket or something very specific. A few other options: Dangly diamonds, diamond hoops and a mix of diamond and chocolate diamond earrings. Putting the words diamond and chocolate together, you can’t lose! The only way you could go wrong with these is if she doesn’t have pierced ears. And if you don’t know that, well … seriously? Jewelry chains like Zales [ZLC Loading... () ] and Kay Jewelers are offering some good deals.

Quick Tip: You can also buy jewelry from department stores, but don't be a cheap-o and go for the $50 earrings that are a “special buy” when you purchase something else. They’re usually low-quality diamonds. How can you tell? Well, I don’t have time to teach you the four C’s – you probably wouldn’t remember them anyway – but just get ones that shine bright and look clear, not gray. Believe me, you can tell.

A Jewelry-Organization System. If you’re really goosey on the jewelry, here’s a safe bet: A nice, expensive jewelry box or organization system. (Try department stores, Bed, Bath & Beyond or the Container Store.) Here’s a nice one from Crate and Barrel. You know she’s seen those home-organization shows, but just doesn’t have the time to do it for herself. Plus, most girls would rather spend the money on the jewelry than the organization. So, you’ll do it for her. Also has a dog-in-the-park feel to it. Honestly. You are soooo sweet!

Swarovski Snowflake Ornament. A nice luxurious topper to any gift for your lady. Swarovski issues a new one every year (so, you could be setting yourself up for years to come — as well. Imagine a whole tree of crystal snowflakes!) There are a million cuts, so it shines brilliantly to give that dash of holiday magic. And, if she likes to wear big, chunky necklaces, you could also get her a long, thick silver or gold chain so she can wear it as a necklace, or just put it on the tree. They’re so beautiful, she just might keep it out all year long! Available at Macy's.

A few final words of advice: Kitchenaid mixers are super popular and if your lady is a baker, she’d love this, BUT — not for the holidays. Buying kitchen appliances as a birthday or holiday gift for your lady is so 1950. Just don’t do it. Seriously. Don’t.

Also, no lingerie, please. We love it, but really, is it a gift for us or a gift for you? If you really want to make her smile – and get what you want in the process – wrap up a lacy nightgown under the tree, but put it TO yourself as well as FROM yourself. That’s right. Call yourself on it before she can call you on it. Oh snap!

And don't forget: Peek in her closet. Peek in the shower before you leave the house.

If you’re lady is really picky, check out Shop.com’s eGIFTS service. Here’s how it works: You send a set of gift choices to your lady. She chooses which one she wants from the list and voila!

If you’re panicking, don’t worry. Help is available! You can contact Giftgirl.com 24-7 through the holidays to get advice. You tell them about your lady and they'll give you advice on what to get her.

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