'The Deal Breaker'

My nine-old-cousin not-so-subtlety hinted over e-mail yesterday afternoon: "Do you know what next week is?"

Like any good family member, I knew that it was my cousin’s10th birthday and that shopping for her birthday gift would have to be high on my priority list.

But I also knew that the occasion signaled the start of holiday shopping season.

And anybody who thought that the United States was battling a deep recession – try going to my nearest shopping mall on a Saturday and finding a parking spot. You’ll think twice.

More so the reason for doing most of my shopping online. Me, online shopping - are you surprised?

Whether it's a 20% off Friends & Family sale at Bloomingdales (look for promocode above) or a 25-40% designer sale at Saks Fifth Avenue, there are bargains to be made now:

Save $28.62

With two infants in the family, both almost three months old, baby clothes seems like a reasonable gift idea to the frazzled mothers. My one cousin raved about the organic clothes I gave her as a baby shower gift this past summer. Her only complaint was that her baby girl was too young to wear them yet!

A set of organic cotton bodysuits (see below) not only protects a baby with sensitive skin, but are both acceptable buys for any baby boy or girl.

Save $15.00

I CANNOT get enough of these sumptuous faux fur throws. Come to think about it, I might already have two versions in the leopard print somewhere in my house.

Why? The plush backing makes me feel as if I’ve fallen into a pool of micro-fleece blankets. And I admire the quality craftsmanship: The throws are finished with a miter corner – which takes a lot longer to finish than a regular hem (for all you non-sewers out there).

Whereas most faux fur tries to emulate minx or rabbit, this is the first time I’ve stumbled across a giraffe print. But the print is funky, upbeat and an easy go-to piece to add some excitement to a room.

For more gift ideas, I’ll be featuring at least two new products each week from now until the end of the holidays!

-S. Gonzalez

*Photos courtesy of decorinnovation.com and newsletter from bloomingdales.com