1. Sugar High

Thurber was right: candy’s dandy, and It’Sugar at the Pier Shops at Caesars will custom-make a chocolate bar with your sweetie’s name spelled out in M&Ms or other toppings ($7.95 to $49.95; add $1.50 for the message). While you’re there, check out the fun collection of vintage candy (Good & Plenty, Milk Duds, Dots, Nikl Nips). Gift boxes of nostalgia candy come in two sizes ($35 and $75).
    We adore Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory at the Walk, which has those to-die-for dessert apples. The Apple Pie Apple is a Granny Smith dipped in white ribbon (a kind of chocolate) then rolled in brown sugar and cinnamon. The Cheesecake Apple is dipped in white ribbon and rolled in crushed graham crackers. Most festive are the candied Granny Smith apples rolled in coconut. These decadent delights ($7.95 each) are pretty enough to be centerpieces, and big enough to feed two or more.

2. Just Say Ahhh!

Elizabeth Arden Red Door Spas at Harrah’s and the Seaview Marriott offer mini-retreats for men and women with everything from pomegranate lime mani-pedis ($125) to a heavenly half-day of pampering with a massage, facial, manicure and makeup application ($257). Create a custom spa package or purchase gift certificates from $25 to $600.

Look to the East for relaxation at Vive Day Spa & Salon, new at Showboat. Vive has a “Chakra Relaxation Room” and signature treatments including an Arctic algae body treatment and mud therapy body mask.

For “social spa-ing,” there’s Qua Baths and Spa at Caesars, which taps the healing power of water for a uniquely restorative experience. Fourteen treatment rooms include a deluxe couple’s studio and wet rooms with Vichy showers. (Invite only those you really, really like.)

For a whole new you, Immersion Spa at the Water Club at Borgata offers bliss-inducing spa packages like the Serenity (from $431), with an overnight stay, stone or deep tissue massage, and use of Immersion’s infinity edge lap pool and fitness center.

At Blue Mercury at the Tropicana, get glowing with spray-on self-tanning (at $60, it’s cheaper than a trip to St. Tropez!). Special event makeup application is just $45, and brow styling starts at $25.

3. Holiday Wrapping

Face the frosty weather in style with this year’s fashion essential: a snuggly wrap, stole, shawl or poncho. They’re super because they can go over a coat or jacket, providing even more warmth against winter’s chill. And you can’t go wrong giving them as gifts, because they’re usually one-size-fits-all and come in a multitude of styles, from sophisticated pashmina cashmere to nubby knits.

Chico’s at the Pier at Caesars has a wide selection of wraps for milady, $98 and up in cotton-poly and mohair-acrylic blends. The Van Heusen outlet store at the Walk has styles starting at $49.99 with 60 percent off the lowest price. Ireland and Old Lace in Historic Smithville has a fabulous new line of woolen scarves, hats, wraps and capes in natural raw undyed wool and alpaca, from Brannigan Weavers of Drogheda, Ireland.

4. Take the Cannolis

In some parts of the country, partygoers bring gifts of food to the hostess called “bread-and-butter gifts.” Few things are as welcome during the holidays as a basket of fresh-baked breads, marvelous cheeses, unusual vintages of wine and other delectables.    

For great bread and pastries, try Formica Brothers Bakery in Ducktown or at Kensington Square in Northfield. Gift baskets start at $25, holiday cookie and pastry trays at $11. For a staggering variety of international foods, as well as the fattest fresh raspberries we’ve ever seen, visit Eden Gourmet at the Pier. Create your own basket, or buy one pre-made.

Why not choose a cultural “theme” and build a gift basket around it? If Mom and Dad love Italian, load up a basket with Italian bread, then tuck in a good bottle of wine, fresh mozzarella and a few jars of unusual sauces. Garnish with fruit and add an Italian cookbook. Top the whole thing with a CD of great Italian music.

5. Tie One On

Dress him for success in an elegant silk tie or cashmere sport coat from Hugo Boss at the Pier Shops at Caesars; accompany French-cuffed dress shirts with German-made mother of pearl or onyx cufflinks. Everything in the fall collection is now 25 percent off. Paisley ties are all the rage right now, and Hugo Boss offers them in a surprising array of colors—even coral.

For the upwardly mobile man in your life, there may be no better role model than Donald J. Trump. The Donald, it’s said, favors pink power ties because of their good feng shui, and you’ll find lots of pink in the Trump collection at Van Heusen on the Walk.

We like the pink-gray-and-white diagonal striped tie and a silvery-pink paisley tie, as well as a selection of ties in bold black and white. Most ties are in the $50 range, but steep daily discounts of 30 percent to 40 percent make them extra-affordable. Pair with 100 percent cotton shirts from the Trump collection (about $59.50, also with big daily discounts).

6. Scentsational

Ever since people starting giving Christmas gifts, cologne has been the failsafe fallback present. Luckily these days, there’s more to choose from than Jean Nate and Hai Karate.

For one-stop shopping, visit Perfumania at the Walk. Most popular scents this season: Bulgari, Burberry and Paris Hilton scents for women; Armani’s Acqua di Geo and Dolce & Gabbana’s Light Blue for men.

Lacoste is also a perennial favorite for gents; JLo remains a top seller for women. Through January 5, buy one select fragrance and you’ll get the second for just $9.99.

The Hugo Boss “Boss Pure” fragrance collection should also be high on your guy list. It’s light, fresh and sophisticated. $65 at Hugo Boss, the Pier Shops at Caesars. 

7. A Perfect Pollyanna

The Yankee Candle store at the Walk has dozens of gift boxes and gift bags for every budget, $12.99 and up.

Our favorite scents: Cinnamon Stick, Red Apple Wreath and Silver Bells, which has the irresistible smell of a stroll in the winter woods.

All the holiday gift packages are nicely presented—some in pretty cable knit sacks, others with tiny stuffed ornaments. And there’s so much variety, you can give one to everyone in your office and not repeat yourself. Votives are $1.99. Large two-wick “housewarmer” candles are $24.99.

8. A Timely Choice

Tourneau at the Pier Shops at Caesars has more than 100 famous-name watches in 8,000 styles that range from the economical ($25) to the astronomical ($250,000). Fortunately, the Tourneau Club Plan allows you to pay over time for the timepiece you really want. There’s also a trade-in, trade-up policy, three-year extended warranty, a selection of certified pre-owned watches, on-site service and free batteries for a lifetime.

We like the great selection of Victorinox Swiss Army watches (from $150 to more than $1,000). While supplies last, you can also get a limited-edition Vivante watch celebrating Susan G. Komen for the Cure, with 10 percent of the purchase price going to the fight against breast cancer. The Swiss-made watches have pink mother of pearl dials and come with round or rectangular faces. $450.

9. Do You Hear What I Hear?

A gift of holiday music is sure to bring cheer. Brookstone at the Pier Shops has a wide selection of CDs and two-CD sets ($17 and $30 respectively). Our recommendation: Dig That Crazy Santa Claus, with memorable melodies from Bing Crosby, Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday, Louis Armstrong and more. It’s the only soundtrack you’ll need for the holidays.

We also like Takin’ Care of Christmas by rocker Randy Bachman, Sinatra’s Christmas Memories and Smooth Christmas (with Luther Vandross, Toni Braxton, Alicia Keys, Boyz II Men and more). Of course, your collection isn’t complete without Vince Guaraldi’s jazzy soundtrack from A Charlie Brown Christmas.

10. Bedazzled

For all things bright and beautiful, from crystal jewelry to a stunning array of intricate crystal-inlaid hair combs and clips, don’t forget to stop at Trendie Treasures in Historic Smithville.

Trendie Treasures has become well-known for supplying fashion accessories for prom dresses and bridal parties. You’ll find chandelier earrings, vintage-look pendants, and a selection of unusual hair ornaments that’s so extensive, you’ll be hard-pressed to make a choice. But that’s okay—with prices from under $10 to just about $50, everything is affordable.

Go on a treasure hunt at Trendie Treasures, which also stocks hats, scarves and purses.

11. Digitize Me

This year’s most coveted high-tech gadgets come from those smarties over at Apple Inc., creators of the iPod. At the Apple store at the Pier Shops, check out the new iPhone 3G, the mobile phone most likely to keep you occupied on a desert island. This great communicator has it all. With fast access to internet and email around the world, you can surf the web, get directions and watch video, even while you’re on a call. $199 and $299.

Also fun: Brookstone’s “My Life” keychain digital photo display, which can store up to 100 photos for viewing on a 1.5-inch color screen. Just load on the pictures from your PC. Batteries are rechargeable. About $40.

12. Hat Trick

Keep them bundled up in style this winter with fashionable Fair Isle hats and snow bunny caps from Zoo York and Claire’s Boutique, both at the Walk.

At Zoo York, choose fleece-lined holiday knit hats for guys at $19.99 (matching mufflers are $29.99). At Claire’s, find colorful snow bunny caps for just $16, coordinating scarves for $12 and gloves or mittens for $8. Every girl on your list will love the matching set.

If Claire’s is any indication, we could be witnessing the return of yet another ’80s fashion phenomenon: legwarmers! The store is carrying oodles of them in brilliant colors for about $10. (Can’t you just hear that Flashdance music?)

And To All A Good Buy…

For super bargains every day of the year, it’s Bijou Terner at the Pier Shops. Everything in this great little store is $10, from silky sarongs and shawls to ties, belts, purses, hats and gloves, sunglasses, wallets and jewelry. We like the chunky enamel clasp bracelets.

Another great bargain: Airwalk fleece-lined boots at Payless Shoes at the Walk. They’re as cute as Uggs at a fraction of the price ($29.99 and up).

The big trend in purses is big, bigger, biggest. Visit the Coach outlet at the Walk for enormous shiny patent leather purses. They start at $229, but take 30 percent off right away. You can carry a whole wardrobe in these roomy bags.

Every woman knows a little blue box means a gift from Tiffany & Co. Want to please your lady fair, but stay within your means? Visit Tiffany at the Pier Shops for the delightful Blue Box charm—a tiny replica of the signature box in blue enamel and silver. $150.

A Tasty Idea

Is there a couple on your gift list who simply can’t afford date night, and don’t want to splurge on a babysitter? There may be no more thoughtful gift than an evening out courtesy of that little old wish-granter, you!
     Most restaurants offer gift certificates in many denominations, so you can be as conservative or extravagant as you like. Tuck a gift card inside a festive card, or wrap it in a small box. Don’t forget to include a voucher for one night of babysitting (on you). Make the gift even more memorable by including a beribboned split of champagne and two glasses for a post-date toast. It’s one night they’ll always remember.

Cost-Conscious Holiday Décor

• Choose a theme and create a tradition, like the man who spent a lot of time in Germany and started collecting Santa Claus ornaments. Over the years, he acquired hundreds, enough to fill an entire room of his house. The collection is a great icebreaker at holiday parties, and a legacy he will eventually hand down to his children.

• For an inexpensive holiday display, pile fresh-cut pine boughs on the mantelpiece, on windowsills or in large baskets, then tuck in a few pinecones (sprayed with “snow” or gold paint). Apples and oranges look good among the greenery. Add a pineapple as a sign of welcome.

• Booklovers, celebrate the season by displaying a collection of Christmas classics on your coffee table or end tables. Invite friends over for readings of A Christmas Carol, A Child’s Christmas in Wales, The Gift of the Magi and Miracle on 34th Street.

• Give old-fashioned charm to a room by gathering all the kids’ teddy bears, other stuffed animals or old-fashioned dolls and grouping them together in a rocking chair or along a sofa back.

• To dress a holiday tree at almost no cost, buy sheets of crepe paper in brilliant red and green. Cut the paper in broad strips, tie the strips up in big bows, and arrange among the tree branches, or string as one continuous garland.

• “Recycle” those old Christmas ornaments by displaying them in bowls or vases. Add strings of beaded garland.

Wrap It Up (Inexpensively)!

Americans produce 25 percent more trash during the holidays than any other time of the year—much of it discarded wrapping paper. You’re no Scrooge, but why not save some money by wrapping your gifts in handy household recyclables? It’s the green thing to do.

• Here’s a time-honored no-cost gift wrap: the comics! Save the funny pages from your Sunday paper, and set off the wrap with a colorful bow. For sports nuts, use the sports page.

• Textured aluminum foil serves the same purpose, but looks contemporary and elegant.

• Use road maps to wrap gifts for your favorite holiday traveler.

• Wrap presents in brown paper bags, then add a raffia bow and sprig of holly for a naturally pretty look. For something more festive, buy glitter pens in gold, silver or other colors and draw simple snowflake or scroll designs on the brown paper wrap.

• Cover any gift wrap with paper doilies for a “snowflake” effect.

• Another way to wrap gifts inexpensively: use rolls of pretty wallpaper, which can be found in “seconds” bins at hardware and home supply stores.

• Instead of going to the trouble of wrapping a large box, spray paint it, then add a bow.

• Baskets of every size can be had for a song at your local thrift store, and they're perfect for gift giving. Fill the basket with colorful crumpled paper, add your gifts, and wrap the entire basket in colored cellophane. Top with a shiny ribbon.

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