Ready, Set, Shop: Gift Guide 2009

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The perfect gift, beautifully wrapped and stylish, says a little something about the lucky recipient. Shopping for a coffee drinker who loves New York City? Look no further than our featured mug set with Andy Warhol’s stylized images of the Empire State Building ($100). Or, for that someone who never seems to change out of her pajamas on the weekends, go for a pair of decadent cashmere slippers ($148). No matter who’s on your list, we bet you’ll find a few inspired ideas in our gift guide. As for the wrapping, we recommend a mix of robin’s egg blue and gold this season—even better if it’s Midori’s luscious made-in-Japan gift wrap, satin ribbon, and light-as-air organdy available at Rose Mille in Stillwater ($0.75 per yard for ribbon, $2.50 per yard for organdy, $5 per sheet for paper). Midori is the paper of choice for gift-wrapper Jodi Wheeler, who created the package on this page. Find her at Sugar Sugar, the just-opened candy shop in south Minneapolis.

For detailed buying info, please see our November/December Buyer's Guide.

UNDER $50


FOR THE DESIGNER Wrapped in gorgeous paper, triple-milled Lucia soap is infused with botanical extracts and organic shea butter, $16 for a boxed selection of gift bars; Ataz, Edina, 952-925-4883.	FOR THE TIPPLER These Vermont soapstone “rocks” chill your favorite beverage without diluting the delicate flavors, $21.95 per box of 9; Corazon, two locations, see corazononline.com.

FOR THE FRANCOPHILE “Eau Minerale” glasses for a European touch; if you buy at I.D., they come pre-boxed and wrapped, $36 per set of four; I.D. Inside Design, Minneapolis, 612-317-0045, id-insidedesign.com.	FOR THE DOODLER Four slate coasters from Vance Kitira come tied with raffia and a stick of chalk for merry doodling, $24 per set; Anthropologie, two locations, see anthropologie.com.

FOR THE GREEN GARDENER Peppermint amaryllis bulb by Potting Shed Creations comes in a bamboo gift box with an eco ribbon, $44; Inizio Gifts, Minneapolis, 612-929-5003, iniziogifts.com.	FOR THE GOURMET Made from the old-growth, organic maple orchards in Michigan, Blis maple syrup is aged in barrels and labeled with the year, just like a fine bourbon, $25.95 per bottle; Golden Fig, St. Paul, 651-602-0144, goldenfig.com.

FOR THE EASY COASTER Clay Company’s oyster-shaped pewter salt cellar and matching spoon set are handmade in Sonoma County, California, $32; Chef’s Gallery, Stillwater, 651-351-1144, thechefsgallery.com.	FOR THE COOK Cheerful snowflake-patterned kitchen towels from Minneapolis-based MU Kitchen, $24 for four; Linden Hills Natural Home, Minneapolis, 612-279-2479, lindenhills.coop.

FOR THE DECORATOR Arcadia Home lime, green, and cream felt ball garland for the tree, mantel, or doorway, $49.99; Que Sera, Edina, 952-924-6390.	FOR THE PYRO Rustic cedar crate filled with fireplace starters that look like dynamite sticks, $39.99; Cabela’s, three locations, see cabelas.com.

FOR THE ENTERTAINER Charming mix-and-match “Boho Holiday” dipping dishes by Rosanna for nuts or candies, $30 per set of six; 509 Design, Marshall, 507-532-9413.	FOR THE GAMER Designed by Jason Nip, the “Triple Play” set includes portable checkers, chess, and backgammon in a magnetic-closure storage case, $31.50; Patina, five locations, see patinastores.com.

FOR THE WHITE-WINE DRINKER From Menu of Denmark, the wine “Cool Coat” is filled with cooling gel, $48; Walker Art Center Shop, 612-375-7633, shop.walkerart.org.	FOR THE TRADITIONALIST This 100-percent wool stocking from India Rose has an appliquèd snowflake and embroidery detail, $46; Three Rooms, Edina, 952-926-1774.