Gift Guide: Easter Items for Grownups

Easter is a kids' holiday? Poppycock! The season of rebirth is the best time to treat a loved one--or yourself--to a vibrant gadget or pretty doodad.

Same rules apply as always: gifts are attractive, on a price point, and just thee right items.

1) Brooklyn-based electronica band, The Bird and the Bee, have just released "Interpreting the Masters Volume 1," a Hall and Oates tribute album. The 10 song disc features one original track and nine H&O covers, including "Private Eyes," "She's Gone," and so much more. Talk about renewal!!

Interpreting the Masters Volume 1
$5.99 on iTunes





2) I spent my Easter last year hungover on a hostel couch in Barcelona. This year, I pay tribute to my past transgressions with a bit more class. Red Guitar Wine is a Spanish Tempranillo/Garnacha blend, rich with raspberries, cherries and vanilla. A perfect companion to your holiday ham, or lovely alone. Plus, the price is right.

Red Guitar Navarra
Around $9.99 at most wine and spirit shops




3) It's sooo easy to devour all your Easter chocolate in one sitting. But in powder form? Not as simple. This "Choctail" mix makes tasty, frozen shakes in a snap and helps your ration that sweet tooth. Nice.
Choctail Mix
$10.90 at Max Brenner





4) Magnets are magnets. Unless Julia Rothman designs them. Then, they are art. And we all love a little art on our fridge, don't we?

iPop Magnets by Julia Rothman
Set of four for $11.50 at Amazon




5) Last year I visited the Zak! Designs showroom and I almost fainted from excitement; that place is BRIGHT. Luckily though, every piece is made of 100% recycled melamine, so this stuff never breaks. Also? So cute.

Confetti Nesting Bowls by Zak! Designs
$29.99 at Kitchen Kapers



6) April showers bring May flowers, and where better to put those flowers than in a teardrop vase? God I am corny with these write-ups sometimes. You should've read the description on Pier One's website though. "A person could get lost in a vase like this. OK, maybe not a person. But a flower, definitely." I'm not quite that bad. Let's disregard poor word choices and just deem this vase a winner.

Turquoise Vase
$35 at Pier One



7) For every pair of Tom's Shoes your purchase, another pair is given to a child in need. It's the perfect mix of philanthropy, capitalism and straight up style.

Classic Tom's Shoes
$48 at Tom's



8) I've been looking for a watch with the perfect pop of color, and a face that actually tells time. The solution is ODM, maker of whimsical watches, or what I like to call "wrist candy."

ODM Spin Series Watch
$66 at Amazon

Gift Guide: 7 Lovely Green Things

Happy St. Patrick's Day! Green is the color, seven is the lucky number. To celebrate, go out and treat yourself or a cherished friend to one of these seven, lovely, green things for St. Paddy's! (Because "drunk" is always the best time for online shopping)


1) It's never bad to have some blank cards on hand. These flowered babies are appropriate to send from spring to early fall--if they last you that long.

Note Cards
$11 at Whimsy Press





2) You'd like a green car, but that's a lot of money. Until then, you can daydream about it over coffee.

Ceramic Mug
$16 at Orla Kiely






3) Leprechauns are ugly and hate to cuddle. This stuffed creature can't promise pretty, but he'll snuggle any time.

Pointy Max

$20 at Ugly Dolls

4) A clock without numbers? Is that a metaphor for something? Either way, it looks awesome.

Green Splat Bamboo Clock
$55 by Pilot Design at Etsy







5) Red light? No way. This lamp on your desk will only inspire you to go, go, go!


Deco Table Lamp
$59.99 at Target







6) Girls, you need some green flats. Really. Walk, don't run, you need these.

Ciao Bella Flats
$79.99 at Piperlime






7) Don't worry guys, you need some green, slide-on shoes, too.


Sperry Top-Siders
$84.95 at Zappos

Gift Guide: Beautiful, Beautiful Beer

St. Patrick's Day isn't really a gift giving holiday, but here at The Gift Wrap Blog, I think any holiday is a good excuse to share wonderful things. There are bound to be great parties come March 17th, and if there's one token any host appreciates, it's good, cold beer. But which variety do you bring?

Here are the rules: I've only chosen bottled beers (sorry Natty Lite, but we're not talking about Frat parties here. Or if we are, they're Frat parties of the classiest ilk). The perfect St. Paddy's beer must also have aesthetic appeal, preferably embodying spring or Irish themes. You can't really wrap beer--if you find a good way to do it, SEND ME PICTURES--but the drink itself is your contribution to the bash, so why not have 'em look great? Finally, I'm not listing prices here because as you might have noticed if you've crossed state lines, beer costs all different, crazy prices. Go to the beer store. They will have at least one of these beers there. It will be more expensive in New York than it is in New Hampshire.

The Party Beers

Flying Dog- Tire Bite Golden Ale

The Flying Dog Brewery is based in Maryland and combines light, simple beers with funny, dog illustrations. It's a straight up good times beer in taste, but the label is sure to get you a few dozen Dude, AWESOME!'s throughout the night.





Staropramen Premium Ale

This isn't a party beer in the traditional American sense, but you can find it in every pub across the pond. This Czech beer is one of the few precious brewed still bottled in green glass. Tastes clean, smooth and heady. I drank this attractive little juggernaut when I celebrated last St. Paddy's day in London.



Bud Lite Lime

This is a party beer in the traditional American sense, so much so that I might wave my star spangled banner alongside my Irish flag while drinking this on the 17th. BLL is basic: the Bud Lite we all know and sort of like--and gradually come to love as the night progresses--with a hint of lime. Just enough green for the party.

The Classy Beers

Blue Moon Rising Moon

This is Blue Moon's spring brew, basically just Bud Lite Lime for an audience with more sophisticated taste buds. Flavored with zest and leaves from Kieffer limes, this drink is subtly refreshing. I tried it for the first time over the weekend and it didn't make me jump out of my pants, but I think that's a good thing. There are more than enough reasons to act a fool on St. Patrick's Day.



Brooklyn Lager Chocolate Stout

I toured Brooklyn Brewery a month ago, and since then I've been eager to try every delicious variety this company puts forth into the world. I love the chocolate stout--it is VERY rich. Almost too much to drink more than one in a single sitting, so this beer is better for the pacing type. Its black and gold label is regal in a way that harkens Guinness, but also coolly purs, "Hey, I'm from Brooklyn."

The Quirky Beers

Magic Hat Odd Notion Spring 2010

Every season, Burlington Vermont's Magic Hat Brewery puts out an Odd Notion beer. Always great flavors, always fun labels. I've taken to collecting all the Magic Hat seasonals, because there ceases to be one I don't love. Spring 2010 is pale and citrusy, you will enjoy it if you're into beers that make you repeatedly question why you like them.

Hitachino Sweet Stout

I first tried this Japanese beer at a Malaysian restaurant on the west side and declared, "This elixir tastes like a craft store!" There is nothing remotely Irish about it, but it has a green label, and it's just weird enough to work.

The Irish Beers

Smithwick's Irish Ale

A tride and true Irish beer. Tastes Irish, looks Irish, smells Irish, and pairs great with your corned beef and cabbage. Just remember that it's pronounced "Smiddick's," or else you won't sound Irish.

Harpoon India Pale Ale

Had to throw in a fun, spicy IPA with an Irish twist. Great colors on the label, great beer. 'Nuff said.






I'm no beer expert, but I'm confident that your St. Patrick's Day will be extra lucky with one (or more) of these brews in tow.


Note: Thanks to Christine and my mom for pointing out that St. Patrick's Day is on the 17th, not the 14th. Boo, now I have to wait three extra days?

Valentine's Day Gift Guide: For Him

Don't worry, I didn't forget about the guys. They're the tricky ones to shop for, anyway. Same rules: top ten traditional items turned on their heads, all under 40 bucks each. Have at 'em.

1) With these stainless steel martini glasses, he'll admit he likes theoccasional cosmopolitan. Salute the holiday

in style.

Set of two glasses

$5 at Target

2) Girls aren't the only ones who deserve sexy underwear on Valentine's day. Let him know he's the king of your heart.

Boxer Shorts

$8.50 at Old Navy

3) A flying saucer that also makes juice. He won't know

he always needed one until he gets one.

Juicer

$18 at Pylones

4) These sleek, silver frames make your photos appear to float. Stick a black and white pic inside for a gift that looks great displayed anywhere.

Float Frames

From $19.95 on CB2

5) Ugly Doll: cuddly as a teddy bear, but with more stubble.

Suntan Target Ugly Doll

$20 at UglyDolls.com

6) Keith Haring's water bottle for Sigg is as functional as it is romantic as it is artful. So many birds with just one stone.

Sigg Bottle

$20 at Sigg.com

7) He gives you flowers every year. This time it's your turn. This cactus garden is spiky, and therefore more masculine, I guess.

Cactus Dish

$29.99 (small size) at 1-800-Flowers

8) This flask is cased in a beautiful, buttery, leather casing. Who knew sneaking liquor into a concert could be so classy?

Flask

$34.50 at J.Crew

9) I always say that chocolate is a little bit of a cop out, but add "fondue" to the mix and suddenly, you're freakin' thoughtful.

Romantic Chocolate Dinner

$35 at Max Brenner

10) Boys of any age love Legos. I actually think this is a proven fact. And we all know they love computers, so jog their memory with a little blast from the past.

1GB Lego Flash Drive

$35.99 at AC Gears

Valentine's Day Gift Guide: For Her

Only one week until the big V-Day! Like the idea of traditional gifts but don't want to get all mushy? I understand. Here are my top ten picks for gifts that she'll appreciate getting and you won't feel like a walking cliche giving. One rule: everything is under $40. Go!

1) Your lady is shoe crazy? How did I know? Kill her with cuteness every time you pour a drink with this set of reusable, high heeled ice cubes.

Set of six ice cubes
$5.95 at CB2




2) So you're not the poetic type; no sweat. Pablo Neruda's got your back.

Love Poems by Pablo Neruda

From $8.60 on Amazon

3) Now every time she bakes or cooks for you, it will be made with love, no matter what.


Measuring Spoons
Set of four for $9.99 at Target

4) Give her an initiative to save her pennies for a romantic get-away with you. She'll remember every time she sees this adorable bank.

Elephant Bank

$12 at Urban Outfitters




5) If you feel uncomfortable giving her massage oil, just remember that Julia Rothman designed the label. It's not only sexy, it's ART.

Kissable Massage Oil
$15 at Victoria's Secret

6) You don't have to be at sea to send her a message in a bottle. The old nautical way goes land-bound with this quaint set.

Love Message in a Bottle

$16 at Anthropologie

7) Your heart is hers. Let her know it everyday in a more abstract way.

Caged Stone Pendant

$24 at Free People

8) Candies are so stereotypical, but these Butlers Chocolates are extraordinary, and with packaging by Orla Kiely, your girl will never throw the box away.

Butler's Chocolates by Orla Kiely

£17 (around $26) at John Lewis

9) Flowers die, but this red roses pillow is super comfy and lasts forever. (Also available in felt, and yellow roses. Yum.)

Pillow

$29.25 at Pier 1

10) Give her an apron that she'll actually want to wear--both in and out

of the kitchen.

Apron

$32 at Anthropologie