A shopping blog of cool gift ideas

With as long as I've lived in New York City, you'd think I'd be more acclimated to cold weather. Yet year after year I still shudder when I think of blustery winds, freezing rains and, even worse, snow. The one thing that gets me through it? Fall coats! So here are a few of my favorite styles of the season to get you (and me both) excited about these brisk temps!

Motorcycle jackets are huge for fall, and this Rugy Bedford version is right on trend with a shrunken fit, plaid lining and distressed leather. Throw it on over a frilly party dress and tights for the perfect mix of feminine and edge.

The cape has been around for a while, but its classic wearability makes it a winter staple. This Quilted Cape Hoody, has a casual twist with a hood, toggle buttons and sweatshirt-like fabric. I thought I would never be caught dead in a puffer, but the latest Long Puffer Jacket has me rethinking my own fashion edict. This long jacket is stuffed with high-quality goose down, comes in all my favorite fall colors and ties around the waist to add a little shape. Swing coats are perhaps the chicest option in the bunch. This 7 for All Mankind jacket combines the popular swingy shape with fall's hottest pattern: plaid. Add long leather gloves for a truly modern look. It's enough to make me want to brave the cold!

Rugby Bedford Motorcycle Jacket starting at $595.00 

Cats just can’t resist finding new spots to nestle into. And I should know: Mister Bailey found my open, brimming box of winter sweaters five minutes after I took it out of the attic the other day. Good thing I have a hearty stash of lint rollers and a great dry cleaner on my side. But I could have saved myself a lot of work if I had just dropped a decoy like this amazing Beetle Pet Sofa.

The cover is machine washable, and the shaggy texture so intriguing, it would even hypnotize Mister Bailey. Cats everywhere will be drawn away from the clean clothes pile and onto this fuzzy, cozy cushion. Go on: Help your pet-loving friends bring peace back to their kingdoms and live a little more lint-free to boot.

Beetle Pet Sofa starting at $175.95

Some of my friends might say I can get a wee bit competitive when it comes to board games. Maybe I've collected a lot of pop trivia over the years, am amazing at drawing with my eyes closed, or have an underestimated grasp on pretend real estate, either way, they're a great way for kids and adults alike to spend an evening TV free.

One of the newer games on the market and my hands down personal favorite is Cranium WOW. This most recent edition test your skills in many embarrassing and surprising ways.  With 600 cards and 15 activities, you have to hum, sing, draw, act, sculpt and your solve your way to the center of the board. Kids will love the silliness of the game and adults will never play charades again. If you're a fan of the classic games, check out some of the newer editions with a twist like Pictionary Man, Monopoly: Here and Now: The World Edition, and Sorry Sliders. So whether it's any occasion, you can't go wrong with the gift of fun.

Cranium Wow starting at $24.99. 

We are VERY excited to announce the appointment of Jane Buckingham as GiftRap & Gifts.com’s new Editor-in-Chief. Jane, author of The Modern Girls Guide book and television series, and a regular contributor to Good Morning America, Cosmopolitan and the New York Times Syndicate, has spent more than a decade analyzing consumer trends to discover exactly what people want and why. We’re sure that her experience will prove invaluable as she joins the Gift Gurus to help busy and budget conscious holiday shoppers Gift it Right. So keep your eyes and ears out for Jane…she has a lot of great ideas to share,

 “I’m thrilled to join the Gifts.com editorial team,” said Buckingham. “In the current economic environment, it’s more important than ever to find the right gift at the right price. Gifts.com’s Gift Gurus help shoppers give great gifts and I’m very happy to be a part of what they do.”

Election Day is right around the corner. So you might think the debates are over. Well, think again. The last debate starts right now and commences and ends with one simple question: What Election '08 gift will stand the test of time?

Since I’m the Gift Guru here, I’ll kick off the debate by stating that I believe the Hockey Moms for Palin tankard will endure and become a gift that keeps on giving through the years. Even if you're not a Palin supporter, you have to admit it's hilarious. The Barack is the Future T-shirt (besides the obvious play on words, sports a pretty awesome Marty McFly-esque logo. And will we ever be able to say the word "maverick" and not think of John McCain in 2008?  I think a clever McCain gift would be a Personalized Dallas Mavericks Jersey with "McCain '08" on the back. And although she's an Election '08 footnote, I still love the Hillary Nutcracker (you use her thighs to crack the nuts—now that's funny). So at this point in the debate, I would you to chime in. Take a look at all of our great Election ’08 gifts ideas and post a comment on which one you like the best. And finally, please, PLEASE, get out there and vote!

Hockey Moms for Palin Tankard starting at $25.65. 

If you readers out there are anything like me, you love giving gifts to your girlfriends. It’s just so fun! So of course I always get psyched when another occasion rolls around that gives me an excuse to pick up a few cute things and distribute the joy. I get particularly excited this time of year because Halloween is my favorite holiday of all time. And I just found this fab set from Philosophy that is sure to set the spooky mood while making you (and your pals) feel beautiful at the same time (those folks at Philosophy sure are masters at their craft!).

The kit comes with a trio of yummy products: shampoo, shower gel and bubble bath in licorice, caramel apple and pumpkin spice muffin. My favorite part is that they come packaged in a terrorific haunted house. So cast a spell on some of your closest gal pals this Halloween. I’m sure they’ll appreciate the pampering after all the decorating and costume hunting they've been doing!

Philosophy The Haunted House starting at $30.00

In just a few days, EA Sports will have released the fifth title in its initial launch of All-Play games for the Wii. The All-Play titles are '09 versions of EA staples like “Madden NFL”, “Tiger Woods PGA Tour” and “NBA Live”. But "All-Play" refers to an alternate game mode and makes these games more accessible to casual gamers. In other words, while gaming experts will fall in love with these '09 sports titles all over again, gaming rookies will be able to get off the sidelines and join in the action through less-complex game play.

My personal favorite is Tiger Woods '09. The new Tiger has incredible graphics, and tons of exciting game modes. The Party Game Mode offers 15 mini-games that will appeal to all golfers alike.The exciting All-Play lineup for Wii also includes Madden NFL '09, NCAA Football '09, NBA Live '09 and FIFA Soccer '09.

Want to win? To get you in the game, two, random lucky gamers will win the entire set of five ’09 All-Play EA titles. Post a comment here and tell us which game you can’t wait to play and whose butt you can’t wait to kick while playing it by 11:59 p.m. EST on Thursday, October 30. One comment per person, please; multiple comments will be discarded. Click here to read the official rules.

It’s that time again—the time when nothing else matters in the world except High School Musical. High School Musical 3, that is. After obtaining a cult following of all ages, the Disney sensation finally hits the big screen tomorrow. But before you go out and grab all the HSM swag you can get, be sure to pre-order the soundtrack and dvd today, so you and the family and can sing along to all your favorite songs—even after the film is over.

This time around the Wildcats are dealing with senior year and all the drama (basketball, prom, spring musical) that goes with it. So they'll have plenty to croon about. Also, be sure to check out the new HSM dolls and games that are sure to be on every kid's wish list (early Christmas shopping, anyone?).

High School Musical 3: Senior Year Premiere Edition Soundtrack CD + DVD starting at $24.99.

Even as Breast Cancer Awareness month starts to wind down, the pink products continue to impress me. What better way to be aware than to purchase something that makes her (or you) feel pretty while giving back at the same time? This limited-edition duo eyeshadow has a touching backstory about a breast cancer survivor and gives funds to the cause.

When Betsy Olum was diagnosed with cancer in 2007, her wish was to have close friend and Too Faced Cosmetics founder Jerrod Blandino bring back her favorite eye shadow. Blandino took it to heart and created Betsy Baby (with Olum's help, of course), a two-shadow compact that celebrates Olum's triumph over cancer and gives $9 per sale to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation. Any woman would be happy to receive such a pretty, purposeful gift, not only this month but months to come.

Too Faced Eyeshadow Duo - Betsy Baby starting at $17.00

Looking for something to take to the neighbor’s Halloween party or to send to your kids away at college? Or perhaps you want to mail your grandkids a gift for the spooktacular holiday ahead? Whatever you crave, these delicious chocolate covered candy apples are sure to be a home run.

There’s just something about autumn, apples, and candy—that I never get tired of! Each confection is handmade with a combination of festive orange and dark chocolate drizzle (No bobbing required).I think they're a pretty sweet gift for nearly every Halloween happening.

Halloween 4-Pack Apple Gift starting at $34.95