Christmas is only a few weeks away; time to start shopping! Some people are easy to buy for, some are more difficult, but nobody is as tricky as the Fashion Diva – especially if you are not a shopaholic like her.  What do you get the woman on your list that can pick out a Dolce & Gabbana handbag in a crowded room of people?  Read on, for help is at hand!

If the lady on your list is very close to you, i.e. sister, wife, mother, girlfriend, or fiancé and your budget is substantial, you simply cannot go wrong with a designer handbag.  Steer clear, however, of the fad collections (yes, Coach Pop C collection, this means you!) and opt for something classic and timeless.  For inspiration, check out the Garnet collection from Coach.  Notice how the bags in this collection are beautiful yet subtle, modern yet timeless.  Other fine retailers include Gucci, Louis Vuitton, Fendi, and Burberry.  More fashionable gifts for the well-endowed wallet include scarves from Hermes, leather gloves, designer sunglasses and celebrity endorsed perfume.  (A note on perfume: scents are a sensitive subject for women so you need to know in advance if she prefers fruity over floral or woodsy over sweet. It makes a big difference.) 

Now, let’s say your budget does not allow for anything that Eva Longoria is currently wearing or promoting but you still need a fashionable gift for your diva.  A true diva wants to look as good out of her clothes as she does in them so a gift certificate for facials, mani/pedicures, massage, or body wraps would be well received.  Alternately, you could get creative and put together a spa experience in a basket.  Your local drug store has DIY facials, foot soaks, and massage oil (hint: if your diva is your spouse or girlfriend, your basket can include a note saying you plan on giving her the spa treatments yourself with low lighting, candles, soft music and your loving hands applying her mud mask and massaging her back…). 

If your diva is an acquaintance such as a friend, co-worker, coach or teacher, go for something practical.  A stack of bangles (gold or silver plated, not solid keep the price reasonable), a leather coin purse, a sophisticated hat and scarf set, a simple broach, or a set of makeup brushes – these are things all divas need and enjoy.

Here is a great gift that can be a stand-alone present for an acquaintance or a stocking stuffer to go with that designer handbag you just bought for your wife: a purse hook.  A purse hook is a small hanger that attaches to a tabletop and holds your purse.  It is particularly convenient in restaurants where it is impractical to put your bag on the table, yet undesirable to put it on the floor.  You can see examples of purse hooks at Pursehook.

Now that you have some ideas on what to get, let’s spend a moment discussing what not to buy.  You will notice that actual clothing, shoes and makeup, the essentials for divas, appear nowhere on these lists.  That is because divas love to shop.  They enjoy the experience of trying on, browsing, and buying.  They also know what looks good on them and what colors of makeup are the most flattering.  Unless your diva specifically tried on a particular shoe or garment or pointed to a lipstick or eye shadow trio and said, “I want that” but has not bought it for herself, then and only then can you surprise her with it.  Alternately, you can get her a gift card for her favorite boutique so she can purchase her clothing/shoes/makeup for herself.  Some view gift cards as un-thoughtful, but I have yet to meet a diva that didn’t like being sent on an all expense paid shopping spree!

No matter what your budget or how close you are to a diva, you can’t go wrong if you buy her a Christmas gift that makes her look or feel good.  With a little effort and imagination, and the hints from this blog post, I am sure your gift will make her clap her manicured hands with joy.