2008 Gift Guide Let us help you find a gift for your significant other

Article Written By: Amanda Huynh

For: the girl who claims ‘dancing’ is a legitimate workout
Item: one year membership for Flirty Girl Fitness
Description: continently located on Wellington Street just west of Spadina Avenue, Flirty Girl Fitness offers fun filled lessons in dances ranging from MTV style, Coyote Ugly, strip tease and chair dancing.
Price: $92 per month, includes unlimited drop-in classes and four week sessions
Available at: Flirty Girl Fitness
Comments: as seen at the National Women’s Show, pole dancing is a great way of increasing stamina and upper body strength. Nothing could be hotter than burning calories while getting in tune with your inner vixen.
Website: http://toronto.flirtygirlfitness.com/

For: the Mac lover
Item: iTouch
Description: comes in either 8 or 16GB, this revolutionary multi-touch surface comes with wide screen colour display and is only 8mm thin.
Prices: $329 for 8GB and $449 for 16 GB- prices in CDN
Available at: Mac stores or their online store
Comments: just another step in the technological evolution as delivered by Mac. Student discounts are available, as well as discounts on floor models near the end of every month. Ask a store associate for more information.
Related Articles: iTouch
Website: www.apple.com/ipodtouch/

For: the rockstar
Item: Aviator sunglasses- Dolce and Gabbana “2024” aviators OR the Vogue 3555 SB
Description: black framed aviators are a must-have for every A-list rocker, how fitting for your queen. The more affordable version by Vogue has crystal detailing on
the top-bar and temple- the D&G version has no bling. Both provide ample UVA and UVB protection and come in black frames.
Prices: $290 for D&G or $69.98 for Vogue
Available at: Sunglass hut and other eye wear retailers
Comments: there are a number of other sunglass makers that offer great aviators as well, Ray Ban being one of them. Find a pair that suits your budget, but expect
to pay upwards of $300 for big names.
Website: www.vogue.com www.dolcegabbana.it
 

For: the uninhibited girl friend
Item: Holiday fantasy bra with diamantes and matching thong
Description: this annual favourite is inspired by the three million dollar Fantasy Bra (made originally with real diamonds) hot off the runway of the Victoria Secret Fashion Show. An affordable but luxurious alternative, it’s the ultimate lingerie dream come true.
Price: $300 US for fantasy bra, $125 US for fantasy thong, plus applicable taxes and shipping and handling
Available at: victoriassercret.com
Comments: Diamonds might be a girl’s best friend, but this crystal encrusted set is a close second. Isn’t lingerie more of a gift to the man, anyway?
Website: www.victoriasecret.com

For: the stylishly practical girl
Item: Signature knit skinny scarf by Coach
Description: available in four colours, you can wear this scarf monogram or stripped side up. Made of 100% imported wool, this scarf will keep you warm and stylish.
Price: $98 US
Available at: all Coach retail outlets in Canada or online at www.coach.com (shipping and handling charges not included)
Comments: this scarf is so soft you’ll think you’re wearing cashmere. It’s a much cheaper alternative to their $349 counterpart.
Website: http://www.coach.com

For: your selfish love of Beyonce, and because you needed to get her a gift
Item: Emporio Armani Diamonds Eau de parfum
Description: the latest perfume by fashion and fragrance power house Giorgio Armani, is dramatic and feminine scent sure to please you and the woman in your life. Top notes include litchi and raspberry, with a base of cedar wood and vanilla.
Price: $49.50 US for 1.7 oz or $69.50 US for 3.4 oz
Available at: all major department stores and fine fragrance stores
Comments: like Beyonce croons in the promotional video, “Diamonds are a girl’s best friend”
Website:  www.emporioarmani.com

For: the super stressor
Item: a spa package at one of Toronto’s finest
Description: it always seems that those who need to distress the most, never have time to indulge themselves. Force her to take an afternoon off with a prepaid day to the spa, with services ranging from manicures to hot stone massages. I suggest the Still Water Spa at the Park Hyatt hotel on Avenue and Bloor.
Prices: because the range is so wide, I have chosen 4 treatments to highlight, for more information or a full price list refer to their website provided below.
Still water manicure (30 mins) - $47
Sensual rice steam wrap (60 mins) - $170
Warm stone therapy massage (60 mins)- $217
Available at: Still Water Spa
Website: www.hyatt.com
Comments: I once had the Still water pedicure ($80) done and found the semi private rooms very relaxing. Unlike your local nail parlour, the spa is pleasant smelling and the staff is courteous and welcoming. Try a couple’s treatment for a closer experience.

For: yoga queen extraordinaire
Item: gym bag
Description: this style of bag is offered by TnA, Puma, Nike, Lululemon Athletica and various other athletic product lines. They are usually made of vinyl or leather (depending on price point) and have a detachable shoulder strap for convenience. There are also internal pockets for your cell phone, change and gym pass.
Prices: most bags start at $39.99 CND
Available at: Aritzia, Lululemon and athletic goods stores like Sporting Life, Foot Locker and Champs.
Comments: in order to personalize these generic bags opt for a cloth bag and get it embroidered with her initials for name for an extra $20.
Website: http://www.lululemon.com

For: the naughty and nice
Item: Naughty and Nice lock charm by Tiffany’s
Description: assuming you got her a charm bracelet already, this whimsical lock charm is shaped like a heart and engraved with the word “nice” on one side and “naughty” on the other. Perfect for encompassing her unique and sometimes unpredictable personality. The lock actually opens and closes. Sterling silver. In case you didn’t get her the charm bracelet, the 7.5” heart tag version sells for $195.
Prices: $135 CND
Available at: Tiffany’s on Bloor Street
Comments: all of Tiffany’s products come with a lifetime guarantee. Their show room is well organized with helpful staff, but can be a bit intimidating to shop in. Bring a buddy along for the ride, and prepare to gasp at the cost of platinum draped happiness.
Website: www.tiffanys.ca

For: the girl who has everything
Item: 2008 Mustang with Warriors in Pink package
Description: only 200 units of this specially designed vehicle are available for sale in Canada. $300 from every sale of this limited edition Mustang will be donated to the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation. Comes with pink rocker tap striping, pink stitching on the leather seats, floor mats and steering wheel. The car comes in silver, black or white.
Prices: $26,000+ CND
Available at: Ford dealers
Comments: the chances of you buying her a car may be highly unlikely, but making a contribution to the charity of her choice is a wonderful gesture- especially if she really has “everything”.
Website: www.fordvehicles.com
 

For: “de runnin’ man”
Item: Nike Dunk Low Premium Id
Description: this classic court shoe, looks much like the Air Force One, but is customizable online. You can choose from a variety of colours for the lining the sole, and the upper leather panels.
Prices: $110 US (plus shipping if ordered online)
Available at: online store through the website, or can ordered at the Nike store in Yorkville
Comments: everyone was stompin’ in their Air Force Ones, but this shoe takes interactive shopping to a whole new level. For an even more personalized sneaker, contact Fashionfreakers.com and have them hand painted.
Website: http://nikeid.nike.com

For: the GQ man in your life
Item: Unforgivable by Sean John
Description: the original ads were too hot for TV and print, but not the internet. Check out the steamy promotional video on the Sean John website. This fragrance has top notes of citrus and bottom notes of warm herbs- making it unforgivably intoxicating.
Prices: 4.2 oz for $75.00 US, 2.5 oz for $55.00 US
Available at: all major department stores or specialty fragrance retailers
Comments: “this scent is all about the attitude”. Smell like Puff Diddy, or just feel like a millionaire with thousands of female fans. This scent gives your man a small boost of confidence and sex appeal, just in time for those cold winter months.
Website: http://www.seanjohnfragrances.com
Related Articles: UNFORGIVABLE

For: the sports enthusiast
Item: tickets to a Leafs or Raptors game
Description: every man deserves to see their home team play live. Whether the seats are courtside or in the nose bleeds, it’s the thought that counts.
Prices: Sprite Zone (section 316) tickets come as cheap as $12.50 for Raptors games and go up to $925 for courtside
Upper level seats start at $26 and lower level seats go up to $425.
Available at: Ticketmaster.com
Comments: Make it a night on the town, and let him choose the pre-game restaurant or post-game bar. Don’t complain about the over priced beers and hot dogs, grab a foam finger and cheer on!
Website: http://www.nba.com/raptors/ and http://mapleleafs.nhl.com/

For: the one who has to rationalize every purchase
Item: leather jacket from Danier leather
Description: “leave ordinary leather behind”, so says the designers at Danier leather. Affordable yet quality leather goods are hard to come by, especially if you want to style too. This lamb leather bomber jacket with wool and Thinsulate Supreme insulation will keep your man stylish and warm at the same time.
Prices: $399 CDN.
Available at: Danier leather
Comments: Comes in black or brown, and is extremely soft to the touch. Side pockets add functionality and motorcycle style collar is one of the most popular cuts.
Website: http://www.danier.com