The gifts for sisters, bff, and that co-worker “you tell everything to, but only see at work” can be the toughest. These are the people that you are supposed to “know”, right?

Teaposy Garden Gift Set ($59.95, Sur La Table)

Delicious, beautifully packaged Burdick’s Chocolates ($14-$32)

Stonewall Kitchen Olive Tree ($79.00)

Funky Fabric Covered Hair Clip ($28)

Cake Ribbon from Cooper-Hewitt Museum Shop ($13.00)

Letterpress Calendar (perfect for cubicle dwellers), ($20, Ilee Etsy Shop)

The impossible ones are the toughest — it could be your father, best friend, husband, godmother. They insist they don’t want anything, but what they really want is something perfect.

Fortnum & Mason Gift Basket, $85

Life size dog topiary ($74.95, Gardeners.com)

“Banana Bowl” from Cooper-Hewitt gift shop ($150)

Recycled Aluminum Bark Vases ($110, Viva Terra)

Gifts for boyfriends, sons, husbands, fathers, bosses, the occasional doorman, personal trainer…

Digital video camera ($180, Amazon.com)

Julia Child “The French Chef” DVD set $39.95, Sur La Table

“Monsters of Winnepeg Folklore” from Cooper-Hewitt Musuem ($21)

St. Andrew’s Lithograph (for the inevitable golfer in your life) from Source Perrier $325

J.K Adams “Basic” cutting boards (you really can’t have too many) $20

I was browsing Domino’s site, looking for something else altogether and saw this DIY wreath made with a simple wreath form and a glue gun. Of course, the genius is in the objects you find for it, but, that’s what eyes are for and hey, we’ve basically got a full year of looking. I love the shells, but think this would work with sea stone, vintage toys, all pine cones, really anything you like.

I meant to post this first installment of the gift guide last week, but life intervened. Here is a selection of gifts for moms, aunts, grandmothers and mentors. More to come, Abbey

Angels Papercut by Pamela Dalton ($175)

Source Perrier’s La Mer Soaps ($32)

Gump’s Tulipiere ($45)

Charming Bird Village ($14.95)

Sweet Perpetual Calendar ($29.95)

Bleeding Heart Ornaments (set of 7, $14.95)

I’ve had a nasty cold (I lost my voice!) — so sorry for the lack of posts.  But I’m getting back into the swing of it!

Photo via Mic’s photostream

Half a good present is the way it is presented, right? Over Thanksgiving, I bought a lot of wrapping materials from some excellent etsy sellers (trying to do my part to buy handmade) and thought I’d share some of my favorite wrapping papers and ribbons with you. In years past, I’ve usually wrapped the most special presents in wonderful (usually more expensive) paper and ribbon and then use Martha Stewart’s Kmart line to wrap everything else. But, I think that Martha’s line at Kmart doesn’t carry wrapping paper anymore, so this year, these big (3 by 3 inch) labels from Re:Make and the faux bois ribbon have inspired me to wrap presents in white wrapping paper (freezer paper!) and let the ribbon and label stand for themselves.

Labels from Remake Etsy Shop ($5.00 for 9)

Gray Faux Bois Wrapping Paper from Martha Stewart Crafts Online ($5.99 a sheet)

Russian Nesting Doll Wrapping Paper from Enna Etsy’s Shop ($3.90 a sheet). I actually bought some for this a few weeks ago and it arrived yesterday and is even cuter in person than in picture, if that is possible. I can’t WAIT to wrap something for someone soon!

Ribbon: I think that this green ribbon from Kate’s Paperie would coordinate nicely with both the gray faux bois paper below and the Russian nesting doll paper. I was spoiled this past year as I had quite a bit of this ribbon left over from a project at work and used it for a few last minute birthday gifts and it looks so elegant with plain wrapping paper.

Kelly Green Satin Ribbon from Kate’s Paperie ($8.95 for 11 yards) I like the inch width best.

Faux Bois Silver/White Ribbon from Martha Stewart Crafts ($6.99 for 5 yards)

Last but not least are the tags!

Tags from Elfrida’s Etsy Shop ($3.50 for 18!)

Silhouette tags from Jordan’s Flood Street Curiosity Shop ($5 for 10)

PS, See Coco+Kelley for a great round up on eco-conscious wrapping!