The Fashionista is in: confronting your gift-giving dilemmas with style

The holiday season presents us, as consumers, with a dichotomy.

First, there’s the positive: cheerful lights draped all over the city, peppermint mochas, elaborately decorated department stores and, naturally, limited edition lip color (see: MAC). That’s the fun side of holiday season materialism.

On the less joyful end of the spectrum are overcrowded shopping centers, budgets and, hardest of all, finding the perfect gift for the ones in our life worthy of receiving them. It’s easy to overthink when the act (gift buying) involves someone that you really care about, but generosity shouldn’t drain the merriment from your holiday season. From a style perspective, present options are plentiful. Here are some no-fail suggestions for some fashionable gifts.

For Moms

It’s time to accept the fact that we’ve all been brainwashed by jewelry corporations. And they’ve done a pretty thorough job. Are diamonds indeed a girl’s best friend? Can love be measured in carats? Does every kiss begin with Kay?

Presumably human beings aren’t that shallow. But the fact remains: Women love jewelry. And furthermore, moms (at least in my experience with one) commit most of their extra funds to bettering your life (college ain’t free) and aren’t making frivolous purchases left and right. My advice is simple: go vintage. Minneapolis has an extremely impressive haul in the realm of vintage accessories, so peruse a few shops and find a distinctive ring, brooch or necklace. It’s guaranteed to be unique and inexpensive. I’d wager you’ll provoke a tear or two with the right bracelet.

For Dads

Dads are tricky to shop for in the style sense. Picking them the perfect novel or record is easy. Picking something that will up their style points is not. The best approach is to choose a subtle element like a wallet or watch and go from there. If you find yourself agonizing over which hue of treated leather he’d like, just go with your gut. Dads (again, in my experience) tend to value quality over trends, so sticking with styles that are sturdy and utilitarian usually has a good outlook.

For significant others

Holidays can be an awkward time for new relationships. It’s hard to know if your whirlwind romance will develop into the zealous, gifting type or the, “I’m poor. Let’s get dinner, have sex and call it a happy holiday,” type.

For those with the urge to splurge: be thoughtful. Despite my endorsement for mom, I’m emphatically opposed to relationship jewelry. It’s nauseatingly cliché and also a cop out because it’s such an easy answer. And ladies: buying him a shirt you think he’ll look hot in is the same kind of thing (unless it’s of his favorite band or something).

Want to really impress? Buy him/her a subscription to a magazine. Vogue may be considered “the fashion bible,” but there are a whole slew of additional publications with absorbing features and stunning editorials. Best options marketed toward a female: W Magazine or Interview. Best options marketed towards a male: Esquire or Fantastic Man. I say “marketed” because most people can appreciate the reporting and visual stimulation in these publications (I actually prefer reading men’s magazines).

The blacklist

Should you be any form of a self-respecting person, under no circumstance should these purchases be made.

Lingerie: tacky, expensive, anticlimactic.

Perfume: the perfume chooses the wearer and not vice versa.

Ties/socks: obligatory elements are lazy and boring.