A shopping blog of cool gift ideas

If your mother is anything like my Jewish mother, then your house is filled with hundreds of beautiful collectible dreidels and four generations of menorahs that are lit every year. With the first night of Hanukkah already over with, consider giving your family something new this year that is functional and can be used every year after for family get-togethers. I love these dreidel place card holders from Pottery Barn. They make the table more festive along with letting each guest know where to sit for the night’s meal (and give you the “opportunity” to sit away from your crazy brother).

These salt and pepper shakers are also a nice addition to mom’s dreidel collection and you know they’ll garner some attention with a place for them on the table and not on the bookshelf. Mom will think of you every year she takes them out for Hanukkah. And let’s be honest, you’d rather have beautiful tableware as a holiday accent than an embarrassing decoration you made in the first grade.

Pottery Barn Dreidel Place Card Holders Set of 4 starting at $19.00.

This time of year, everyone tends to get caught up in the whirlwind of everything that is Christmas. But while you’re singing Jingle Bells, and trimming the tree don’t forget about the little holiday that could, Chrismukkah (not to be confused with Festivus). Because when Christmas and Hanukkah join forces, the party has just begun.

That’s while I’ll be sending all my friends the Chrismukkah Book: Everything You Need to Know to Celebrate the Hybrid Holiday. Because let’s face it, there’s a lot of interfaith families out there who want to have their Christmas tree, potato latkes and eat them too. This lifestyle guide includes everything you'll need for merry making: crafts, songs, recipes, gift suggestions and even (perhaps most importantly) office do's and dont's. So whether you're celebrating Christmas or Hanukkah, this gift has got you covered. 

Chrismukkah Book starting at $17.95. 

With all the craziness going on in the world right now, sometimes you need to take a step back  and allow yourself to enjoy the moment. In other words, don't take yourself so seriously!  If you know someone who needs to find a little humor in the world, we have the perfect Hanukkah gift for them. Which is why these Silly Menorahs are just the thing to celebrate the lighter side of this Jewish holiday.

Whether it's for a nostalgic Baby Boomer or the kid in college, this Wheeling Groovy Menorah will make for a memorable addition to any home. This love bus, modeled after the iconic Volkwagon Bus, is sure to amuse all eight nights. Save those traditional menorah's for the town hall and temple, and mix things up. Whether it's for your own family or a friend, it's a Hannukah gift you won't soon forget.

Wheeling Groovy Menorah starting at $42.95. 

The holiday crush is upon us, which means most of us will be hitting the road to get to one celebration or another. And many of those trips won't be just around the corner. If you're packing up the family in the ol' minivan for a holiday road trip, good luck. My best advice is to bring plenty of snacks, entertainment and lots of patience. But maybe the most import thing is to be comfortable, because it might take a while.

A great travel gadget gift (or self-gift) for the driver is a portable massaging backrest. The Ultimate Backrest is a winner with six different massage cycles, an inflatable lumbar cushion, and lower back heater. I'm not saying it will make that endless road trip fun per se, but it should help you from feeling like Mr. Grinch when you get there!

OBUS FORME Ultimate Backrest Black starting at $119.00

I know how to tell a Gewürztraminer from a Riesling, beluga from osetra and diamonds from cubics. But I couldn't begin to tell you the difference between a Montecristo and a Macanudo.

That's why this Cigar Tasting Experience is perfect for novices—and aficionados who just want to know more about their fave tobacco treat. The one-on-one course teaches everything from how to choose, cut, light, and store cigars to the proper way to smoke a stogie. It's the perfect holiday gift for cigar buffs and hopefuls alike! And if you've been slacking on your shopping, you'll be happy to know that you can email this gift at the last minute.

Cigar Tasting Experience starting at $85

Like most New Yorkers, I love browsing Bergdorf’s and Barney’s, but I also enjoy the hunt for one-of-a-kind pieces and extra-special deals. Too bad those are a little harder to come by. And if you're a tourist? Impossible. That’s why anyone planning a trip to New York will love this Private Shopping Tour. Forget Macy’s and Century 21, your personal shopper will lead you through the Garment District of NYC and take you to high-end showrooms, sample sales and unique boutiques. You’ll even get access to insider sales and wholesale prices.

It's the perfect Christmas gift for the girl who has everything. And it's perfect to give if you've been procrastinating. This is a gift that you can print or email immediately, even on Christmas morning.

Private Shopping Tour starting at $500

I don't always appreciate the accessories that come with cold weather, like hair-flattening berets and itchy wool scarves. But these Carolina Amato Opera-Length Leather Gloves? I wish I could wear them all year round.

The sumptuous leather gloves exude elegance, while the luxe silk lining is sure to keep fingers toasty. And their extra-long length means forearms can stay warm under those cute cropped-sleeve coats and sweaters that are everywhere right now. I especially love the gunmetal ones paired with the season's richest colors, like mustard and purple.

Treat your loved one to a pair of these gorgeous gloves this Christmas. You can't go wrong.

Carolina Amato Opera-Length Leather Gloves starting at $285

If you're tired of cleaning up those piles of blocks and Legos that take over the living room, why not mix it up this Christmas by giving your little builder the award-winning Magna Tiles. The possibilities are endless with this magnetic building set which allows kids to go from two dimensional to 3-D creations.

I love this set because kids can test their building skills in ways they can't with traditional blocks. And it teaches kids about math and logic too–who knew! Plus with magnets, kids won’t have to worry about their London Bridges falling down and parents will be able to clean up the construction site in record time.

The Award-Winning Magnetic Tile Building Set starting at $52.95

One thing I love about my cat is that he doesn't need a lot of exercise (a stroll to and from the kitty litter is enough). But my puppy-loving pals? They can't seem to wear their pooches out. That's why I'm getting all of 'em this awesome Snackshotz Dog Treat Launcher for Christmas.

Like a Nerf gun (but way cooler), the launcher shoots low-fat Discos dog treats straight out of its barrel. Dog owners will get a kick out of watching their pooch jump and leap to grab the yummy treats in midair. And they can rest easy knowing they're giving their dog a workout—from the comfort of their couch.

Snackshotz Dog Treat Launcher starting at $13.95

I love traveling and more than collecting trinkets and knick-knacks on my various trips, I like to hold onto maps, hiking guides, and the cultural and historical information I gather along the way to remind me of where I've been and what I learned.

These handsome Leather-bound National Park Atlases are the perfect companion for the guy on the go who, like me, loves to carry around his increased wealth of knowledge and new memories in one place. The atlases include maps and travel guides and can even be personalized. They're the perfect birthday or Christmas gift for the adventurer in your life.

Leather-Bound National Parks Atlases starting at $49