it's christmas eve and these shoes are just her size

what: repetto ballet flats, $141
who: your sister. she's laid back, casual and doesn't know the difference between tory burch and tori spelling. you finally rid her closet of merrell's and dansko's, so it's your job to find the right fit for her this holiday season. enter: repetto flats. the perfect little shoe for moms or students or anyone looking for a little comfort and a break from the whacked-out platform concoctions that have been styling shelves the past few seasons. with perky color choices such as kelly green and navy blue, repetto flats are the perfect accent for daytime garb.

a candle in the window

what: calypso mimosa candle, $38
who: your co-worker. candles are a great gift because they can be equally bestowed upon a great friend or someone you see everyday yet know virtually nothing about (except that she likes cats as is evident by the wall calender plastered on her cubby). scents can be tricky, so stick with something classic and fresh like mimosa from calypso. it's perfect for the bathroom or a guest room and is light enough to please any palette.

visions of sugarplums...

what: organica deluxe fleur de sel caramels, $26

who: your son's 4th grade teacher. nothing says "thank you" for putting up with your son on his good days and the bad like a mouth-watering box of chocolates. this year bypass the mini godiva boxes at the barnes & noble checkout in favor of the salty, sweet, and bitter dark chocolate flavors that spew forth from the organica deluxe fleur de sel carmels. if you haven't tried these yourself by now, be sure to grab a box for yourself. guaranteed to bring a smile to anyone's face even on the most hectic of days, you're son will soon be teacher's pet.

two little candy canes winked at me

what: t by wang striped baggy tank, $89
who: your niece. you're the "fashionista" of the family, so inevitably it's your job to find the niece's gift. she's 12; she likes miley cyrus and selena gomez but also covets the louboutin's she uncovered in your closet. while you don't want to spoil her with a prada bag all her own this year, you can give her a little piece of fashion with this adorable nautical tank from t by wang. she'll know exactly how to layer it and may even teach you a thing or two about so-called "fashion."

...in a one horse open sleigh

what: wendi reed dancing horse cardigan, $450

who: your mother. you have to admire her unwavering dedication to all things holiday, but if you see one more santa-themed sweater complete with tinsel and fuzzy balls, you might lose it. sure, the grand kids love a dancing snowman, but the adults would rather have a preschool-free christmas. this year show your mom you respect her holiday spirit with a quirky sweater that has just enough whimsy for the kids (dancing horses!) but is grownup enough to last throughout the winter. on christmas morning this wendi reed cardigan is nothing short of festive, but in the middle of february it's just downright cute. the added bonus: you won't be sick of seeing it next year...and the year after...and the year after...

'tis the season to be merry

what: leather wine log from organica deluxe, $25
who: your husband's boss. every year you try to distinguish yourself from all the clark griswolds out there by coming up with a truly unique gift for the head honcho. you know he fancies himself a wine connoisseur who is prone to ordering pinotage from south africa by the caseload (and rumor has it he's experimenting with a burgeoning "winery" on his farm). while a bottle of screaming eagle could turn your husband into quite the suck-up, a thoughtful little wine log will do the trick in showing you have his best interests at heart.

rockin' around the christmas tree

what: meredith wendell "rockstar" clutch, $295
who: your brother's girlfriend. she may not officially be part of the family yet, but you've become accustomed to seeing her face at family gatherings over the past eight years. she's cute, fun and has a great sense of style (what exactly she sees in your brother, on the other hand, remains a question). you always strive to get her something cutting-edge so she'll someday think of you as her "cool" sister-in-law. this year you'll hit the mark by choosing meredith wendell's iridescent leather clutch with hologram tiffany glass.