A Killer Holiday Gift Guide: Boston and Beyond

Personalized goes super hip with these fabulous handmade custom lucite trays from iomoi. Pick from a variety of colorful inlays, each customizable with initials, names, even addresses.

These aren’t your grandma’s wine glasses….or your mama’s juice glasses. In fact, this set of Hula Hot tumblers (at Lekker) are so funky and cool, it’s almost impossible to compare them to anything straight-laced and traditional, so reserve them for your friends who break all the rules. These babies can go from serving up strong mimosas at brunch to a bottle of top-shelf vino at dinner.

Traditional with a twist: this set of four Gothic Side Plates (at Elsewares) brings to mind old-fashioned silhouettes, but instead of proper profiles on fine china, these larger, random sides appear on sturdy, casual melamine.

One needs not be a serious bike rider in order to appreciate the whimsical lines and symbolism of a retro-looking bicycle. Enter this original illustration by Michele Maule. It’s signed and dated and, coincidentally, looks exactly like MY bike. (Hint, hint, Rob…)

Isn’t it funny how he makes fun of all the candles strewn about your place, but when it comes right down to it, HE’S the one lighting them? So get him his own. This leather scented, skull-adorned candle is light on frills, but big on manly cool.

Organization just got a whole lot cuter with this oversized, cork-backed desk clip from SusyJack*. (And if you buy one for your co-worker, just make sure to buy one for yourself so you don’t keep “borrowing” it.)

Boho chic goes wild with a wooden bangle bracelet (by Paloma’s Nest) stamped with the text or initials of your choice — think a meaningful word; the intials of a loved one; or a short phrase. The result is a one-of-a-kind (and beautifully packaged) accessory.

Perhaps no gift is more appreciated than one that makes caffeine ingestion easy and accessible, like this go-anywhere coffee or tea press (at Paper Source). Simply brew your drink with the press, and use the mug to drink. It’s even got a snug-fitting lid to keep spills at bay.

Don’t let them fool you: they don’t want your drink on their end table. So, that means they need coasters. Funky, cheeky coasters — which, you’ll soon realize, are ridiculously difficult to find. But I’ve found them for you — these giant wooden button coasters made of olive wood from Eden & Eden. And giving these means you’ll be invited over again, for MORE drinks. Which is a great thing.

The first thing I bought when I got my new bike was a loud bell — there’s a strange satifaction in ringing it to annoy others and to embarrass your fellow biking partner. Pass this pleasure onto the bicyclist on your list and they will heart YOU.

Polaroid is a cult favorite among photography junkies. But with its film ceasing production, this Fuiji Instax Camera (available at Urban Outfitters) could be the next best thing. Ultra-stylish, lightweight, and compact, this little guy spits out a credit card-size instant color photo just minutes after the button is pressed.

These letter candle balls made by Perch! can be made with any letter (or combination of letters) you want; drop a votive inside and the small holes will illuminate oh-so-prettily.

For that brooding hipster in your life (or your sister who dates one), “Clifford” will provide a them a familiar face staring back at them from their wall. This limited-edition print by Ashley G and Drew is signed, dated, and numbered.

I KNOW Guidetripper Susie isn’t the only cupcake devotee around: most girly-girls love them some, too, and these lacquer cupcake canisters from MoMA are a guilt-free way to ensure that they’ve got one permanently in their home. They’re perfect to use for storing sugar, candy, cookies, and even things like office knick-knacks and jewelry.

This Gemiini Stacking Sugar/Creamer Set (available at Bliss) is truly all about form AND function — cream is dispensed from its top half, and sugar is kept in the lower half. This smartly-designed piece definitely won’t be hidden behind a cupboard.

Give the gift of twelve months of art with the 2009 Dolphin Studio calendar (available at auto.) This silkscreened beauty has been made by the same French family for over 35 years, and each month is a truly frameable piece of work.

This wine rack by ETCETERA (available at Greenward) proves that fabulous design can co-exist with eco-friendly materials. It’s made of recyclable wool felt, holds up to six wine bottles, and collapses flat to store easily.

Sometimes, all a girl needs when she goes out are just the basics. And if she’s flying solo (read: there’s no beau to with pockets ready to be stuffed with her ATM card/lip gloss/keys), a wristlet is what she needs to keep her goods together. This one, by Babycakes Boutique, is just the right size and comes in a festive damask print.

For the most part, gone are the days of having to wear a suit and tie to work. But at some point, the time will come when even the most reluctant cool cat will need to don a necktie. For him, this tie (from the Cyberoptix TieLab) should do the trick — it’s subtle humor might even make him look forward to putting it on.

Who, pray tell, doesn’t wish they had their liquor with them as often as possible? Make someone’s dream come true with this adorably confusing flask, available at Black Ink. The red lacquer heart has a stainless steel interior, and the whole kit and caboodle latches conveniently to a belt loop, a bag, or the like. Cheers!

For the dilligently green on your to-buy-for list, reusable Baggu bags can’t be beat. They slip over the shoulder easily, and — get this — easily hold the contents of 2-3 plastic grocery bags. And with a rainbow of colors to choose from (as well as some fun patterns), you’re sure to find the perfect one.

Elevate the act of journaling (or, heck, list-keeping) with this beautiful journal, custom made to order and individually hand bound with fine imported Italian paper. As a fabulous final touch, the recipient’s name (and boy or girl silhouette) is gold foil stamped on the front.

Sure, she’s a snob. She knows it, everyone knows it. So she’ll appreciate (and relate to) this gorgeously pink poster by BluLima. Each one is signed and dated and sweetly uppity.

These four mismatched vintage blocks spell out a) what he is, b) the music she loves, and/or c) his award-winning Halloween costume.

The fashionista in your life will so appreciate the no-one-else-has-‘em appeal of these perfect chandelier earrings handmade by Lauren K. Roberts. Buy this white pair if she’s a brunette; get the black pair if she’s blonde.