Good gifting comes down to giving presents that you would want to receive. These five picks for our best girlfriends are all items we would be just as happy opening as we are wrapping.

It is one of the best moisturizers and this holiday season Philosophy is selling its Hope in a Jar in ornament form ($15). Buy a few extra to give to those you forgot about or to give yourself. At The Bay, 200 8th Ave. S.W., Calgary, 403-262-0345, www.thebay.com

For friends you know well or friends you have just met, this shawl ($30) has floral and striped batik patterns in a pretty blush colour. It’s made in Indonesia by an artisan co-operative supported by micro-credit organization Pekerti Nusantara. At Ten Thousand Villages, 220 Crowchild Tr. N.W., Calgary, 403-270-0631, www.tenthousandvillages.ca

For your sporty friend, this frame ($38) is made from recycled bike chains. Bonus points if you fill it with a photo of you and our pal recreating the Tour de France or at least posing next to your cruisers. At Reworks Upcycle Shop, 1217B 9 Ave. S.E., Calgary, 403-263-4366, www.shopreworks.ca

Give the gift of carbs with a bread subscription to Sidewalk Citizen Bakery. The bakery makes a different flavour of bread each week and delivers loaves by bike Tuesdays or Thursdays to homes or offices around downtown. At $6 a loaf you can subscribe your friend to as many weeks as your budget lets you. www.sidewakcitizenbakery.com

For art from the heart created by local talent, prints from Alberta Printmakers’ Society artists are on display and on sale until December 22. Choose one for your friend at $30 and pick one for yourself and get both prints for $50. At Artist Proof Gallery, 2010F 11 St. S.E., 403-287-1056, www.albertaprintmakers.ca  —Jaelyn Molyneux

For your jello fellow, the Heart Gelatin Mold ($8) is a fun, cheeky and cherry-flavoured way to say: My heart beats for you. At Dick and Jane’s, 831 17th Ave. SW, Calgary, 403-228-1857, www.dickandjanes.ca

Give your single besties a good laugh with the Love Stinks soap ($9.95). At Land and Sea, 317 Seventh Ave. SW, Calgary, 403-264-9866, www.landandseagifts.com

No more eye rolling when you ask to share the earphones on the plane. Now, it’s music and movies for two with the heart headphone splitter ($10) At Steeling Home, 1417 11th St. SW, Calgary, 403-245-0777, www.steelinghomestore.com

From the creator of Love Listography comes My Future Listography ($16.95), where you can fill in pages of goals, aspirations and travel plans whether you’re a duo or a single. At www.chroniclebooks.com

Kids these days live out their love lives online (someone, please tell them to stop), so have some old-school fun with a Locked Diary ($24.99). To add to its charm, don’t forget to hide it under your pillow. At Chapters, www.chapters.indigo.ca

The I Love You Because print ($49) comes with a dry-erase maker so you can count all the different ways you love each other every day. At www.rowboatpress.com

Would a rose by any other name smell as sweet? It would with a spritz of the new Wildbloom Eau du Parfum from Banana Republic ($60). It’s a sensual scent with hints of woody nuances and citrus notes to get you in the mood. www.bananarepublic.ca

With only 18 shopping days left, a few gift ideas could come in handy. Herewith, our five picks for the ladies in your life:

For the family foodie, the infused balsamic vinegars by Wildly Delicious Fine Foods ($8.99 each) are a culinary delight and each one comes in a tall, sleek bottle—drizzle the Black Maple Magic over goat cheese for an easy appetizer. At Sunterra Market, www.sunterramarket.com

For the student in your life, add a little sparkle to her studies with the sequined pencil case from Banana Republic ($35) and she’ll wow her classmates with beauty and brains. At Banana Republic, http://bananarepublic.gapcanada.ca

We’ve been coveting a classic Hudson’s Bay Company blanket forever (hint, hint) but these HBC cashmere slippers ($95) will please any patriotic gal. At The Bay, www.thebay.com

Perfumes are personal so giving the gift of scent can be tricky but you can’t go wrong with the limited edition Marc by Marc Jacobs Daisy Pop Art Edition Eau de Parfum ($102). The sweet, fresh scent is easy on the nose and the festive bottle is perfect for displaying on the bathroom vanity. At Holt Renfrew, 510 Eighth Ave. SW, Calgary, 403-269-7341, www.holtrenfrew.com

Thanks to Kate Middleton (via Diana, that is), sapphires are a girl’s new best friend. These sparkling blue beauties ($895) pack a big punch and will be the talk of the holidays.  At the Diamond Boutique, 816 16th Ave. SW, Calgary, 403-251-1167, www.diamondboutique.ca

Papa might preach, but he usually knows best. Herewith, Vitamin Daily Calgary’s Top 5 treats (from $20 to splurge).

If he knows every line to Anchorman, The Big Lebowski and all three of The Godfather films, let him sport it proudly with a classic movie T-shirt, $19.50. Beware: upon receiving the gift, he’ll probably start reciting all of Don Vito Corleone’s lines. At Old Navy, www.oldnavy.ca

Boys will be boys, even when they become dads. Let him get in on the FIFA World Cup action with a Fair Trade Sports soccer ball, $30. If he’s more Kobe than Cristiano, there are also basketballs and volleyballs.
 At Ten Thousand Villages, 220 Crowchild Trail NW, Calgary, 403-270-0631, www.tenthousandvillages.ca

It’s still the Year of the Tiger but when it comes to golf, it’s all about Phil. Get Dad on the Mickelson wagon with the Odyssey White Ice #9 putter (the same one the 2010 Masters champ uses). $150 at Golftown, www.golftown.com

He’ll be the coolest dad on the lake this summer in a pair of Ransom by Adidas Originals boat shoes. The refined classic summer shoe comes in black or brown, $140. At Henry, 2115 Fourth St. SW, Calgary, 403-209-5030, www.thinkhenry.com

For the master of the grill, the Broil King’s Porta-Chef S ($159) gives Dad the freedom to grill on the go. The legs snap up for compact storage and easy transportation. At Barbecues Galore, 3505 Edmonton Trail NE, Calgary, 403-250-1558 and 5875 Ninth St. SE, Calgary, 403-258-4440, www.barbecuesgalore.ca

You’ll never be able to repay mom for all she’s done but you can always spoil her. Herewith, Vitamin Daily Calgary’s gift ideas, from steal to splurge.

Customize chocolates with her favourite family photo at Epiphanie Chocolate (from $12).

Remind her how much she’s loved every morning while she sips her java from this sweet mug by Natural Life ($19). At Steeling Home, 1010 17th Ave. SW, Calgary, 403-245-0777, www.steelinghomestore.com

A pocket-sized, stainless steel flask by Anne Taintor ($29.95) adorned with one of her signature funny lines for when mom needs a sip, or a laugh, because motherhood isn’t always a picnic. At Land and Sea, 120, 317 Seventh Ave. SW, Calgary, 403-264-9866, www.landandseagifts.com

Treat mom to some beautiful bling by jewellery-designer-to-the-stars (and wife of Tobey Maguire) Jennifer Meyer. Her delicate gold necklaces (from $700) are sure to become family heirlooms. At Holt Renfrew, 510 Eighth Ave. SW, Calgary, 403-269-7341, www.holtrenfrew.com