Stuck on what to get your loved ones? We caught up with Joe Lupo, shopping expert and co-founder
of lifestyle consulting firm Visual Therapy, at the T.J. Maxx and Marshalls holiday event to find out
how to wow friends and family this holiday season.
His gift ideas
For men
“An amazing gift for men is bedding. They don’t buy good sheets. At discount stores like T.J.MAXX and Marshalls and you can buy home goods for up to 60 percent off, which is great. Another great option is a watch.”
For women
“I love something in a pop of color, which is big this season. Try gloves in oxblood, also scarves and wraps are great because they’re sizeless — think the icing on the cake, something that will complete a look for her. Also, women like gifts of luxury like spa treatments that they don’t like to spend on themselves.”
Formula for giving a good gift
“You have to first make a list. And when you make your list don’t just write names down. Write down something about them like their style type. Is she classic, is she chic, whimsical. Put something down about the personality. She likes to take wild trips, maybe she loves cocktails. Then you have all these little helpful adjectives when you go shopping so you’re not just seeing ‘mom’ or ‘cousin Sue.’”
Presentation is everything
“When you’re giving a gift make sure you get a nice box. Buy gorgeous tissue paper to make a bed for the gift and go to a trimmings store. If you spend a little money on cloth ribbon and tie it around a beautiful box and you tie in a sprig from an evergreen you stole off some Park Avenue building, your gift will look like 10 million dollars.”
Three gift wraps to win the crowd
1. For the edgy fashionista: Rodarte for Target lunar paper, $8, www.target.com
2. For the whimsical bird: Anthropologie Handpainted Pompom wrapping paper, $18, www.anthropologie.com
3. For the Earth-friendly modernist: Knot & Bow double recycled kraft wrapping paper roll, $10, www.etsy.com
