The Cucina gift basket from Fruits & Passion.

EDITOR'S PICK

‘Tis the season for parties—but don’t arrive empty-handed. Show your host some gratitude with any of these gift sets to ensure a return invite. A Cucina gift basket from Fruits & Passion provides an aromatic reminder of the Mediterranean with dish detergent, kitchen spray, hand wash and cream; $60. Wine is never wrong, and a limited-edition sampler of Wolf Blass’s most popular vintages—2006 Yellow Label shiraz, cabernet sauvignon and merlot—commemorates the Australian winery’s 40th anniversary; $24.95 at LCBO stores. French purveyor Dammann Frères’ loose tea sampler coffret 1825 is perfect for warding off winter’s chill with 18 assorted tins ranging from green to oolong; $199.95 at Pusateri’s.

A wooden frog from L’Atelier du Cheval de Bois.

EDITOR'S PICK

It’s never too early to start—dare we say it?—your holiday shopping. And there’s no better place to get into gift-giving mode than at the One of a Kind Christmas Show, which kicks off on November 27. Do away with cookie-cutter presents and opt instead for unique, handcrafted goods made by more than 800 Canadian artisans, from jewellers and knitters to potters and painters. Everyone on your list is well served here: a wooden frog from L’Atelier du Cheval de Bois offers oodles of fun for little ones; a wooden walnut serving bowl from Out of the Woods is perfect for new homeowners and nesters alike; and a hand-knit felt tote from TLC Bags is sure to be a hit with fashionistas. Exhibition Place, Direct Energy Centre, open daily to December 7, admission $6.50 to $12; call 416-960-3680 for more information.

Tank Française watch, steel with guilloche silvered dial, $4,350, from Cartier.

GREAT TIMING

On November 2, happily turn the clocks back an hour when daylight saving time ends. Savour those extra 60 minutes with this Tank Française watch, steel with guilloche silvered dial, $4,350, from Cartier.

Tag Heuer Formula 1 Indy 500 Chronograph, stainless and polished steel with luminescent hands ($1, 450) from Royal de Versailles.

GREAT TIMING

On November 2, happily turn the clocks back an hour when daylight saving time ends. Savour those extra 60 minutes with this Tag Heuer Formula 1 Indy 500 Chronograph, stainless and polished steel with luminescent hands ($1,450) available at Royal de Versailles.

Trisha Romance's A Star for Christmas.

REINDEER TALES

Beloved Canadian artist Trisha Romance, known for her charming family-scene paintings, presents her first children’s book, A Star for Christmas ($26.99). Inspired by a real reindeer named Star, a neighbourly miracle makes it a memorable holiday for a gentle carpenter and his friends. Pick up a copy at Indigo.

From left to right, Rosy Mistletoe-sies, Baby It’s “Coal” Outside and Ruby for Rudolph.

NAIL IT

OPI lends a hand in adding some seasonal sparkle courtesy of its Holiday in Toyland collection, which boasts 12 new nail lacquers ($9.95 each) with cheeky names that are as fun to say as the polish is to wear. Always-festive red dominates in a kaleidoscope of hues, including the jewel-like tint of A Ruby for Rudolph or the classic Little Red Wagon shade. A shimmering magenta steals the spotlight with Rosy Mistletoe-sies, while those on Santa’s naughty list can proudly brandish their bad-girl cred with Baby It’s “Coal” Outside. See the complete collection at Concepts Salon & Spa.

A dual-purpose portable DVD player and digital photo frame from Best Buy.

ELECTRONICS ENVY

Indulge a gadget lover with the latest from LG: a dual-purpose portable DVD player and digital photo frame ($249). Weighing less than three pounds, this compact unit packs a mighty technical punch, with an 8" LCD screen, up to 3.5 hours of battery life, plus enough memory for 250 photos. Available at Best Buy (65 Dundas St. W., 416-642-8321).

A Frank Gehry designed sterling silver necklace, $2,750.

FRANKLY FABULOUS

Frank Gehry takes his hometown by storm this month with the opening of his spectacular transformation of the Art Gallery of Ontario. Double your Gehry pleasure with some asymmetric bling from his collection at Tiffany & Co.. The master architect has created seven lines for the prestigious jewellery company, including one of his latest, entitled Torque. The hallmarks of Gehry’s distinctive style—bold, graphic and sharp lines—are as well-reflected in a sterling silver necklace ($2,750) or matching polished sterling silver bangle ($800) as they are in his famed buildings.

Bump into a celeb while shopping at The Cat's Meow

Image © Claudia Hung

5 CELEB SHOPS

Shop where the stars do when in town for the film festival.

1. Drool-worthy designer suits, fashionable clothing, shoes and accessories at Nicolas Men make it a regular haunt for luminaries.
2. If you have money to burn, the place to do it is at Hazel Luxury for Women, where a gallery of the most exclusive clothing and accessories awaits.
3. Swank leather emporium M0851 is conveniently located across from the paparazzi hunting ground of a star-studded hotel.
4. Celebs flock to The Cat’s Meow for vintage couture from designers like Diane Von Furstenburg and Pucci, as well as one-of-a-kind costume jewellery.
5. Channel your inner rock star at Anti-Hero, a men’s den with hip designer clothing so cool even real rock stars have shopped here.

Cape Cod Grand Hours, steel with anthracite face dial, starting from $12,000.

GREAT TIMING

On November 2, happily turn the clocks back an hour when daylight saving time ends. Savour those extra 60 minutes with this Cape Cod Grand Hours watch, starting at $12,000 from Hermès.