Ah, the joys of the holidays. Catching up with old friends, decking the halls, baking cookies with the kids, shopping for the perfect gift. To help with that last one, we’ve found 23 great ideas that are sure to please someone on your list. You may even find a thing or two for yourself. After all, you’ve been good all year, too. (We hope.)
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Gifts for Him …
Commuter Class
Celebrate the Main Line’s rich railroading history with this 100-percent silk tie that features all the stations along the storied R5 line. Available in yellow, blue, green, peach and pink, it’s made exclusively for the Little House Shop by Vineyard Vines of Connecticut. $75. Available at Spread Eagle Village, 503 W. Lancaster Ave., Wayne; (610) 688-3222, littlehouseshop.com.
Game On
We all know how much boys love their toys—and he’ll love adding the Bantam Tockey Table to his collection. Tockey matches the strategy of foosball with the speed and intensity of hockey. A slick surface makes play fast-paced. He can even customize the playing surface with the logo of his favorite team. $849. Visit tockey.com.
Tuned In
The EarSet 3 Stereo Mobile Headset has a built-in mic, so you can use it with your cell phone and MP3 player. $199. Available at Bang & Olufsen, 108 E. Lancaster Ave., Wayne; (610) 293-0204, bang-olufsen.com.
Fab Four Fun
Play along with John, Paul, George and Ringo while immersing yourself in the much-hyped simulated nostalgia trip that is The Beatles: Rock Band. The videogame features 45 classic songs delivered in various authentic settings, from their legendary early shows at the Ed Sullivan Theater and Shea Stadium to their later, more intimate studio sessions at Abbey Road. $59.99-$249.99. Available at various locations throughout the Main Line. Visit thebeatlesrockband.com.
Well Traveled
Any man on the go will appreciate the compact, water-resistant Art of Shaving travel kit, complete with a razor, shaving brush, pre-shave oil, shaving cream and after-shave balm. $150. Available at the Art of Shaving, King of Prussia Mall, 160 N. Gulph Road, King of Prussia; (610) 962-1000, theartofshaving.com.
Subtle Yet Showy
Perfect for the guy who avoids lots of bling, the Tateossian double-loop bracelet is hand-braided with genuine Italian leather and fastened with a sterling silver pop tube clasp. $125. Available at Pants, 931 W. Lancaster Ave., Bryn Mawr; (610) 527-6900, shop-pants.com.
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Gifts for Her …
Baby, It’s Cold Outside
Make the winter months more tolerable with this fabulous Puffy coat by Pink Tartan. It’s longer length and feminine ruffle detail will keep her warm—and looking hot. $685. Available at Per Lei, 2 E. State St., Media; (610) 566-1254, perleiboutique.com.
“It” Bag
The Beirn CC Tote is popular among celebrities like Sarah Jessica Parker. The soft, lightweight bag is made of Indonesian water snake and comes in a variety of colors. Available at Vivi G. Shoes, 587 Wilmington-West Chester Pike, Glen Mills, (610) 459-5848; 369 Lancaster Ave., Haverford, (610) 645-7718; vivigshoes.com.
Cozy Up
No passport required to enjoy this cashmere travel set. Its luxurious ivory throw and matching eye mask combine for the perfect end to a long day—at home or away. $298. Available at Williams-Sonoma Home, King of Prussia, 160 N. Gulph Road, King of Prussia; (610) 337-3135, wshome.com.
Hands Free
Gulph Mills’ Sandy Alexander has caused quite a stir with her oh-so-practical Bucklette. This sleek, beautifully designed accessory is available as a belt buckle or clip-on. Both versions have space inside to hold money, credit cards, keys, etc. $92 (clip-on), $112 (buckle and belt). Available at Salon 31, 31 Rittenhouse Place, Ardmore, (610) 642-8600. Or visit bucklette.com.
It’s a Wrap
Complement any holiday ensemble with the Louis Pashmina Scarf, made of a super-soft bamboo-and-cotton blend. Only organic materials are used in this and other items in the eco-friendly Toggery clothing line by West Chester’s Kate D’Arcy. $44. Visit toggerycollection.com.
You Can Take It with You
The Riga Tote is the ideal carry-on for your warm-weather getaway this winter. Philadelphia interior designer Lori Shinal has the entire collection handmade in Pennsylvania. Other styles and colors are available. $247. Call (215) 670-5827 or visit lorishinalinteriors.com.
Pamper Her
She won’t soon forget this gift—a one-of-a-kind, 90-minute scalp treatment that relaxes and soothes as it does wonders for your hair. $95 and up. Available at Noel Sy Art in Beauty, 32 Montgomery Ave., Bala Cynwyd; (610) 667-8777.
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Gifts for the Home …
Start Cookin’
A Way of Living documents the life of Simon and Pia Pearce, the couple behind the hand-blown glass and pottery empire. It features recipes from the Pearces’ renowned restaurants, plus gorgeous photos of their home, gardens, glassware and pottery. $35. Available at Simon Pearce, 1333 Lenape Road, West Chester; (610) 793-0947, simonpearce.com.
Bowled Over
Any foodie on your list will crave these unique nesting bowls custom-made for Terrain at Styer’s by artisans in Portugal. Each set of four comes in a range of colors, and a pair of wooden serving utensils slides right into the side. $68, Available at Terrain at Styer’s, 914 Baltimore Pike, Glen Mills; (610) 459-2400, terrainathome.com.
Special Delivery
With its attached ribbon, this ornament-shaped holiday card is specially designed to go from envelope to Christmas tree. $18 (box of six). Available at Two Paperdolls, 55 West Ave., Wayne; (610) 293-4933, twopaperdolls.com.
Tea Time
The new Chef’sChoice electric SmartKettle is the first of its kind to heat water to the precise temperature selected—crucial when preparing sensitive tea varieties. You can also prepare water for everything from oatmeal to hot chocolate. $99.99. Available at all Kitchen Kapers locations. Or visit kitchenkapers.com.
Bowled Over
Enhance any décor with this colorful, sculptured Splash Bowl, handcrafted from recycled glass in the U.S. by Fire and Light. $49.99. Available at Earth Mart, 235 Bridge St., Phoenixville; (610) 935-1793, earthmartonline.com.
Domestic Bliss
Treat someone you love to an unforgettable HomeStory by photographer Paige Chapman. Inspired by a series of photos she took for her mother of the Ardmore house where she grew up, Chapman now does the same for others, capturing the essence of what makes a house a home. Pictures can be bound in a deluxe hardcover book or a paperback pocket version. Prices vary. Call (610) 247-5264 or visit homestoryphoto.com.
Nice Call
Add a sleek touch to any home office with the BeoCom 5. This cell-phone-like cordless features nine display colors, eight ring tones, and a speaker in its detachable base. $785. Available at Bang & Olufsen, 108 E. Lancaster Ave., Wayne; (610) 293-0204, bang-olufsen.com.
Fresh Baked
The Kitchen Witch—aka Casey Benedict of Malvern—prepares her scrumptious, ready-to-bake treats with no hydrogenated oil, zero preservatives and nothing artificial. Just pop them in the oven. We’re partial to the snickerdoodle cookies and fudge brownies. Yum. Prices vary. Visit kitchenwitchcookie.com.
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Gifts for Kids …
Baby Talk
Looking to speed past “da” and “ma”? So Smart! Productions’ Baby’s First-Word Stories offer a fun, interactive way to introduce babies and toddlers to the basics. The DVD series is the work of Alexandra and Scott Tornek of West Chester. $15.99. Visit sosmart.com.
Freedom of Expression
Instill a love of writing in your ’tween with Little Miss Matched’s The Writer in Me! The kit comes with three journals, a reporter’s notebook, a rhyming dictionary, a deck of word cards, story starters and more. The book guides youngsters through a range of writing forms, from poetry to short stories. $16.95. Available at Oxford Circus, 15 W. Wayne Ave., Wayne; (610) 293-0321.
Tuned In
For aspiring cinematic auteurs, the new Apple iPod Nano features a video camera perfect for capturing all those impromptu Facebook-worthy moments. Other improvements include a bigger display and FM radio. $149. Available at various Apple Store locations. Or visit apple.com.
Welcome Home
Sure, it’s technically a gift for baby—but parents will love it more. The adorable Precious Dreams Plate is handmade by local artisans. Make it extra-special by personalizing it with details of the birth. $36. Available at Wendell August Forge, Main Street at Exton, 103 Woodcutter St., Exton; (610) 363-2426, wendellaugust.com.
Perfect Playmate
Made of 100-percent natural rubber and food paint, Sophie the Giraffe is safe for teething. And did we mention how darn cute she is? Local buzz is that Sophie may be one of the hottest toys of the year, so don’t delay. $22.99. Available at Nurture, 19 W. Lancaster Ave., Ardmore; (610) 649-0424, shopnurture.com.
Rollin’ Around
Your little ones will be unstoppable on these two innovative products from Kickboard USA. The Mini Kick Scooter’s three wheels provide riders aged 3-5 with greater stability and control. The G-Bike (pictured) is perfect for children aged 2-4, who really want a “big kid” bike but aren’t old enough to handle a proper two-wheeler. Both can be used indoors or outdoors. Mini Kick Scooter: $74.99; G-Bike: $139.90. Available at Genes, 122 E. Lancaster Ave., Wayne; (610) 902-0208, shopgenes.com.
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Here’s Something for Everyone
Breath of Fresh Air
The West Chester Business Improvement District offers a prepaid debit card that can be used at more than 120 shops and restaurants downtown. So get out of the mall. $10-$500. Available at Fox Chase Bank, 137 N. High St., and online at downtownwestchester.com.