Holiday Musings

Today I decided to take a break from work and walk around Rockefeller Center. Surprisingly, even though the area was overcrowded and busy, I wasn't annoyed. I didn't shoot anyone dirty looks for blocking my path by standing in the middle of the sidewalk or bump anyone back if I was bumped on the crowded sidewalk. As I took in the Christmas decorations and bystanders' smiling faces, I felt at peace and I felt joyful. This time of year always does this to me. Unlike many of my friends, I really do love Christmas. Many of my friends hate Christmas because they feel the holiday is commercialized, and, because they feel obligated to buy gifts during this time of year. I don't disagree that Christmas has become way to commercialized. I can empathize with the feelings of frustration and stress associated with deciding who to buy gifts for and deciding how much to spend on gifts. But, unlike many of my friends I haven't become jaded about Christmas. I will always love this holiday.

When I hear my friends say they hate Christmas I almost feel bad for them. I have so many fond memories of past Christmases that I can't wait to share with my children. One memory in particular always makes me giggle to myself. When I was a kid I was always so excited to find out what gifts I got for Christmas that I never waited until Christmas Day to open my gifts. When I was alone I would tear off an inconspicuous piece of wrapping paper so I could get a sneak peak at my gifts. I know awful, right? What can I say? I was a curious and impatient child. LOL. Another favorite memory I have is of my father playing Christmas records. Every year my father played Christmas records and my favorite was Alvin and the Chipmunks Christmas record! A few years ago, can you believe I found a cassette tape with Christmas Music performed by Alvin and the Chipmunks. I was so excited. I play that tape every year with no shame. My family was also big on decorating the Christmas tree. It was an event in our house. Every year my mother buys a few new ornaments for the tree and every year we argue about putting too many ornaments on the tree. When I was in college I made sure my mother waited until I got home for Christmas to decorate the tree. Its a great tradition I want to continue with my family.

To me Christmas isn't just about giving and receiving gifts. It's about family, friends, and loved ones. Don't just give gifts because that's what you've been taught to do. Give gifts to celebrate your family, your friends, and your loved ones. Give gifts to celebrate life and love. This is the time to show appreciation to those who are never told they are appreciated. This is the time to give forgiveness to those you've held unyielding grudges against. This is the time to let someone you may have lost touch with during the year, know they are not forgotten. This is the time to give to the less fortunate. Christmas is the perfect time to teach children that its always better to give than to receive. Its the perfect time to make memories that will last a lifetime. Its a time to be at peace and be happy.

Take some time to stop by and take a look at my holiday gift suggestions which I'll be posting every day from Dec. 1 through Dec. 23rd. I also hope you'll take some time to think about what Christmas really means to you. Happy Holidays Everyone!

Lois Loves - Hayden-Harnett Cuff Bracelets

As I perused the new issue of InStyle magazine, I found another great gift idea. I love cuff bracelets and Hayden-Harnett makes some of the best. My personal favorites are the Mercer and the Celina cuff bracelets.

The Mercer cuff can be worn by both women and men and comes in six great colors. $88.

The Celina cuff will adds edge to any outfit. $78

Lois Loves - Toss Designs Weekender Bag

Well, I've started thinking about trips I want to take during the summer. Since I don't have time to take a long trip right now, I've focused my attention on shorter, weekend trips. Whenever I take weekend trips, I like to keep my luggage to a minimum, i.e. one bag for everything. I've been known to pack everything I need for the weekend in a backpack. But, this year I set a goal to find a trendy, weekender bag. Luckily, I picked up the latest issue of InStyle magazine and saw the perfect weekender bag by Toss Designs. The weekender bag comes in various patterns and colors, but my favorite is the Giraffe weekender bag . This bag is the perfect carry-on, and is a great bag for short trips. $92.

Lois Loves - The Quikpod

Whenever I go on vacation I take hundreds of pictures. But, I'm often missing from the pictures because, I either can't find someone to take a picture of me or I'm hesitant to ask people to take a picture of me. So, you can imagine my delight when I came across the Quikpod. The Quikpod is an ingenious product that's a perfect gift for travelers or anyone who loves to take photos. The Quikpod is so easy to use. You simply attach it to your camera, activate your camera's self timer, extend the rod, then aim and shoot your picture. The Quikpod Pro + even comes with tripod legs. $24.95 - $29.95.

Lois Loves - Flower School

I love flowers. But, I don't buy them very often. When I do buy flowers, I get the cheap arrangements at the local bodega. I often admire the beautiful flower arrangements in magazines and wish I could recreate these arrangements in my home. As summer approaches, I thought it would be fun to take a flower arranging class. I did some investigation and found the Flower School New York . The Flower School New York offers field trips, private classes, introductory, intermediate, and master classes in flower arrangement. Class prices range from $250 - $2250. Flower arranging classes is the perfect gift for a budding florist or anyone who enjoys gardening. If there are no flower arranging schools in your area, contact a botanical garden in your area and inquire about flower arranging classes. The Brooklyn Botanical Garden and the New York Botanical Garden both offer an array of flower arranging classes.

Lois Loves - Yellow Box Beauty

A few days ago, I was surprised to see a package waiting for me at my apartment. I had no idea what it was because I didn't order anything and wasn't expecting a package from anyone. When I opened the package, I was surprised to see a beautiful yellow box wrapped with a black ribbon. I opened the yellow box and found makeup samples from Vasanti Cosmetics. I read the accompanying card and learned that my friend SM purchased a gift subscription to Yellow Box Beauty for my birthday. I was so excited because I love makeup and am always trying and buying new products. Here's how Yellow Box Beauty works. You choose a 3, 6, or 12 month subscription plan. Each month you or your gift recipient receives a yellow box containing various beauty products from a new beauty brand. Isn't this a great idea! Yellow Box Beauty is sure to be a hit with any beauty product junkie. It was with me! Thanks again SM! $29.95 - $34.95.

Lois Loves - Le Labo Fragrances

Why is it that whenever you go shopping for shopping else, you inevitably end up buying something for yourself? Last week I went shopping in Soho with the intention of purchasing a Mother's Day gift. I left Soho with a Mother's Day gift AND a new perfume from Le Labo. As I walked by the store I tried to resist the urge to go in, but I was weak and turned around and walked in the store. Well, I have to say my visit was a sweet treat. Le Labo makes some of the most unique fragrances I've smelled in a long time. Le Labo's ten fragrances are classified into three categories; three feminine, three masculine and one baby perfume. I fell in love with Neroli 36, one of the unisex fragrances. The company also makes one exclusive perfume for each city the store is located. The New York fragrance is Tuberose 40. Le Labo also customizes the label of your bottle and prints your name or the gift recipient's name on the label.




Le Labo also offers a Discovery Set that contains three different scents of your choice. This set is only available via the Internet or phone. Don't hesitate to purchase a Le Labo fragrance for the perfume lover in your life. $50-$900.