Sigh. Real Simple Wins the Gift Idea Prize

Oh, I admit it, this is my favorite magazine. I have had a subscription since it’s inception and I’ve always loved it. But frankly, now that I’m casting a critical eye on it, it’s still holds up. Their gift giving guide makes sense for these economic times — 100 Gifts under $50. And they’re cool gifts. On the first page of the guide I liked practically everything they had, plus it gave me ideas for other stuff.

Not to be outdone by Martha, Real Simple has categories too, but they’re more for describing the gifts they found. Some categories literally have ONE gift, so there aren’t a lot of filler gifts — except when it comes to the suggestions for men. Crank Radios, robot shaped cuff links, telescope? That’s what I’d expect to find in Red Envelope. The usual. BUT, if you are looking for gifts for the ladies in your life, this is definitely the magazine to buy.

My favorite, by far is in The Sophisticates section, Ruffled “touch” gloves, $35 which means, yeah, you can use your touch-screen device outside in the cold. (Um, but they are NOT at Nordstrom’s anymore like Real Simple said, which is a pet peeve we have with Real Simple. Not great online useability.) SO, we found a pair that weren’t as cute by a company called Echo at Zappos, which rocks. Use the word “Touch Glove” if you’re looking online for something else. Second favorite is in the Artsy Type section, which only has one product in it, but it’s pretty cool. Its only a silk scarf, which is always a great gift, but this one is hand-screened and printed with the trendiest accessory of the season — broken mesh/metal. This is the easiest way to wear that new trend, or push it onto your traditional Classics — Falseknit scarf, $49.

One of the things I liked about Oprah was all the cool stationery ideas. What I didn’t like was the ridiculous price. Real Simple has a Letterpress desk calendar for $48 bucks from a stationery company called Jack and Lulu. It’s got definite preppy flair that should attract Classics, but the fun bright colors are very Lily Pulitizer and could even draw in some Funs. There are definitely some designs there that even this Organic Freedom could get behind. Plus the prices are reasonable and the product is good.

For chefs they’ve got some goofy stuff that I don’t think I’d get the chefs in my life, but I do like the idea of the state-shaped cutting board that has a star over your chosen town or city. For kids they’ve got a cool toddler classic bumper car, and funky animal puzzles like an anotomical puzzle of a frog and these pressboard safari animals they can create different animals with. They also have a lot of ideas in higher price ranges, splurges, trends to try out.

But this is just the tip of the iceberg. Real Simple is THE magazine to buy this season if you need good ideas for holiday gift giving. Plus, a few cool things for yourself too.