It happens every year, usually just as she's finished helping wash the dishes after Thanksgiving dinner: someone in Girlawhirl's family asks her what she'd like for the holidays. And sure, she might have a mental list of designer wishes, but surprisingly, Girlawhirl's always stumped by the inevitable question. If she leaves her family to their own devices, she's sure to end up with well intentioned items that are just not quite right, but she struggles to find items to put on her list that aren't too outrageous or over the top…
And last year, the most hilarious gift related event occurred when a dear Super Pal asked Girlawhirl what she'd like for the holidays. Girlawhirl wanted some new earrings, and sent this Pal links to a few pairs that she'd be thrilled to add to her collection of dangling adornments. The Super Pal sent back a note saying that she didn't like any of Girlawhirl's choices and so would not be purchasing them for her. Girlawhirl chuckled, because it was just like her friend to say – and do – something like that.
Fast forward one gift certificate – which was promptly used for an end-of-the-season Missoni purchase – and a few weeks later. Girlawhirl met her Pal for coffee and said Pal remarked that she liked the earrings Girlawhirl was wearing. Girlawhirl couldn't just smile and take the compliment – she had to point out that these earrings were the ones she refused to purchase for her!
So, Girlawhirl has learned a thing or two about what to do when someone asks her what she wants for the holidays. She's happy to offer a few suggestions but never expects that she'll actually receive these gifts. To that end, she usually saves a little bit of her gift giving budget for herself.
• Despite last year's earring incident, Girlawhirl does indeed have a pair on this year's list. For her, silver – or white gold and platinum – trumps yellow gold every time. But since she's not above losing one at the gym or leaving a pair in a hotel bathroom, Girlawhirl tries to keep her choices towards the less precious end of the spectrum. These triple tiered hoops from Herve van der Straeten provide her with plenty of style, without an overwhelming price tag.
Triple Circle Hoop Earrings
Silvered Brass
$180
vivre.com
• The healthiest item on Girlawhirl's list is a new juicer. She swears that the concoction of kale, lettuce, apples, lemons and mint – loosely based on Natalia Rose's Green Lemonade (found in her book The Raw Food Detox Diet) – that she drinks most mornings is what keeps her running and prevents her from falling victim to every virus and bug that she encounters in the gym, the office and on airplanes. And while her current juicer is gamely chugging along, Girlawhirl's noticed that it's very close to the end of its lifetime (a very respectable seven years). So she's scoped out this fabulous replacement. Quiet – essential for apartment living and early morning juicing – with patented technology that somehow squeezes 30% more juice from every fruit and veggie, and an oversized pulp collector, she's hoping this one from Jack LaLanne will soon be sitting on her countertop.
Jack LaLanne Juicer
$99
target.com
• There's always some sort of cashmere on Girlawhirl's holiday wish list, and this year is no different. But instead of her typical choice of a crew, v-neck or cardigan, this season Girlawhirl needs (yes, needs!) a pair of cashmere gloves that come all the way up to her elbows. She's already found a coat that sports the shorter sleeves that are so right for this season, and all she needs to complete the look – or give herself some styling options, since there are several color choices offered – are these Long Cashmere Gloves from Banana Republic.
Long Cashmere Gloves 
Porch Green, Cream, Black, Tulum Turquoise
$49
Banana Republic
• Girlawhirl makes no secret of the fact that she would love to own Chanel's J12 watch. With its oversized face and weighty ceramic band, it's just the mix of sporty and chic that she's after. But with its hefty price tag, she figures that she's still a promotion – or two – away from purchasing it for herself. But there are a few watches that capture the sleek coolness and chunky beauty of her beloved J that she's happy to share with her friends and family. This punchy orange watch from IKE caught Girlawhirl's eye, and while it's miles away from the uber-sleek J, its cheery color and rubber band could be just the thing for weekends.
Rubber Orange Watch
$275
vivre.com
• Until recently, Girlawhirl hadn't really bought into the need for an air purifier in her tiny city-sized apartment. She's lucky enough not to need it to fight allergens, but after reading recently that indoor air can be just as polluted as the air on city streets, she figured she'd rather be safe than sorry. Another caveat to living in a tiny space is that everything's always on display, and she wasn't thrilled with the looks of so many of the purifiers she checked out. But with the design award winning IonFlow 50S Air Purifier, she'll have a functional appliance that blends right in with her décor. There are no filters to change, she can clean it by dusting the aluminum ring at the bottom, and there's even a light that turns on and off on its base.
IonFlow 50S Air Purifier
$495
designwithinreach.com
• Girlawhirl would love to cover the nicks and scratches on the countertops of her desperately-in-need-of-an-update kitchen with these rustic, yet sleek glass cutting boards. They'll keep her kitchen clean and her food safe because the glass doesn't develop mold or absorb flavors like wood can. And since they're cool enough to make their way into her living room, she might even use them to serve cheese or protect her table from the drips from a wine bottle.
Wood Pattern Glass Cutting Boards
Round or Rectangular
$15-18
uncommongoods.com
• And for special evenings and small get-togethers, Girlawhirl must have these delicate Giardino Etched Glasses. She loves how they combine tradition – their botanical etchings - with modern shapes, especially the stemless champagne flutes. The patterns mix and match beautifully, and the fact that they're dishwasher safe makes them just what she needs.
Giardino Etched Glasses
Sets of 6
$58-$88
napastyle.com
There are other items on Girlawhirl's own personal wish list, but truth be told, they're things that she knows she'll be purchasing for herself in the next few weeks: a pretty cocktail ring to wear to parties, a versatile clutch, and some new holiday makeup to freshen up her look. But there's one item she's sure to find in her Christmas stocking: a Lifesavers Sweet Story Book. She can't remember a holiday when she didn't receive one of those.
Girlawhirl Giveaway! For the holidays Girlawhirl's giving away tons of extra special goodies from her Gift Guides as part of her regular weekly Girlawhirl Giveaways! You're already registered if you've signed up once and have a girlawhirl login. Not registered? sign up