That chic, Italian leather carry-all won’t stand a chance in the desert or jungle. Opt for a knapsack instead.

Before you balk at the idea, take a look at this one from hip-again Swedish brand, Fjällräven. It’s as functional as it stylish and will only amp up your cred as you wander the streets of Lima.

Save the Vuitton for Venice. —Kat Tancock

From $130, www.fjallraven.us

New Year's Eve can go either way… it could be a raging success or you could end up standing on a street corner at 1 a.m., waiting for a taxi that will never arrive. Regardless of what happens, you want to look good doing it.

Hair Accessory fit for a Goddess

Keltie Leanne’s gold Goddess hair chain is a perfect accessory for the girl who likes to wear her hair down. $28 at www.keltieleannedesigns.com

Love the Night

Vancouver-based jewelry brand Amouro makes delicate necklaces that show off a décolleté, and what better night to do that? We love the Andrea necklace that wraps around your neck like a very dainty scarf. $250, from www.amourojewelry.com or at Bernstein & Gold, 1168 Hamilton St., 604-687-1535.

Carry Your Heart On Your Sleeve

Topshop’s stud heart box bag might not be that roomy, but all you really need on NYE is your phone, a credit card, lipstick, and a key. $64 from The Bay’s Topshop stores, www.thebay.com

These Boots are Made for Celebrating

Strappy sandals seem like a great idea when you are getting dressed, but it’s December. Fluevog’s Malibu boot in black and silver screams party but allows for socks. Win-win! $789 from Fluevog stores. $789 at www.fluevog.com

Who else can you count on to laugh at your crap jokes and tell you when you’ve got spinach stuck to your teeth? In praise of moms, sisters and BFF’s everywhere, our gift guide for the can’t-live-without women in your life.

It doesn’t get chicer than hand-printed hosiery ($36). A fruit bowl for your feet, anyone? At Robber, 863 Queen St. W., Toronto, 647-351-0724, http://robberstore.wordpress.com

Your gift just got even better wrapped in an Avril Loreti tea towel ($25). Various stockists,  http://avrilloreti.com

 
These Thierry Lasry sunnies ($395) are destined for the Iris Apfel in your posse. At Pink Tartan, 77 Yorkville Ave., 416-967-7700, www.pinktartan.com

Fans of Cannelle e Vanille will adore Aran Goyoaga’s exquisite book ($20). A perfect choice for the gluten free belly on your list. At Amazon.ca

 
Dyptique candles make lovely gifts, but so do the jars they once came in. Melt away the left over wax in an old one of yours and fill it with new makeup brushes, colouring pencils or even a small orchid. Various stockists, www.diptyqueparis.com

—Athena Tsavliris

Did Secret Santa stick you with someone especially tough to please? Don't fret, we've got a few ideas that will make you look like a gifting genius.

Your Partner’s Super Stylish Little Sister: Sometimes she gets on your nerves but she was a great ally at the last family gathering. Keep her on side with a Scout & Catalogue clutch ($88). The shop is taking a holiday break, but get a gift card here: scoutandcatalogue.bigcartel.com

Your Mother-in-Law: Two words even she can't disapprove of – Jo Malone. This Wild Fig and Cassis candle is a simple way to give her a bit of everyday luxury (and score some major brownie points). $75, www.holtrenfrew.com

Your Boss: She makes you work your butt off but at the end of the day she’s also your mentor (we hope). The M0851 classic card holder symbolizes top quality and style, just like you ($45). www.m0851.com

Your Co-workers: Vancouver’s Beta5 Chocolates will make everyone forget your rant about not eating smelly food in the office. I’m obsessed with the hot chocolate kit ($30) but these peppermint patties will be a nostalgic crowd pleaser ($10). shop.beta5chocolates.com

Your Boyfriend… of Three Weeks: At this stage, a deluxe Swiss army knife will pretty much kill the chemistry (I learned the hard way). Why not gather the ingredients for his and your favourite cocktails instead? AMC posted a guide on how to make everything from a Greyhound to a Vodka Gimlet here so you can embrace your inner Don and Joan (sorry Peggy).

—Julie Whelan

The fella in your life deserves more than woolly socks and a smooch under the mistletoe this Christmas morning, (although that would be nice too). Here are some super-duper Santa-approved gifts for the guys:

At Monacle, you can’t go wrong. Pick up a chic Flouzen cashmere tie ($120) or an illustrated map of the world ($100). Monacle, 776 College St., Toronto, 647-694-2626, https://shop.monocle.com/stores/toronto

Even a gadget addict likes to doodle on paper. A stack of Rhodia pads (from $1.60 to $8.50)  come in handy for sketching future holiday homes in the Himalayas. Or, you know, writing grocery lists. At Swipe, http://www.swipe.com

This online Montreal-based clothier just keeps getting better and better. Only the coolest cats are dressed in Frank and Oak shirts ($40). http://www.frankandoak.com

Okay, so he might not appreciate the packaging (hand-printed papers and letterpress labels) as much as you do, but cocoa lovers go bonkers for Mast Brothers chocolate ($10). A great stocking stuffer. At The Drake General Store, various locations, www.drakegeneralstore.ca

Navy velvet monogrammed slippers? (from $325). Yes, please! At Harry Rosen, 82 Bloor St. W., Toronto, 416-972-0556, www.harryrosen.com

—Athena Tsavliris

If summer is for strappy sandals that show off your neon nails, then winter is all about chunky boots with attitude.

Look no further than new Queen West boutique, Sauvage for a crop of boots that give a girl height, confidence and attitude in spades.

The faux snakeskin wedge from Blonde Ambition ($268) topped my list as did a chunky burgundy lace up ($235) from Miista.

But am I really going to nip around town in a pair of five-inchers? Perhaps. “Taxi!” —Athena Tsavliris

Sauvage, 644 Queen St. W., Toronto, 647-770-0443, http://shopsauvage.com

Nothing pulls together an outfit like a smart pair of gloves does.

These ones from venerable British brand, Dents are timeless, wearable and utterly chic.  

Each pair is handcrafted in luxurious skins and can take up to eight hours to make. The British royalty (past and present) are fans, as are Batman and James Bond. Dents even made the exquisitely embroidered gloves worn by Elizabeth II for her coronation.

Toronto’s Gaspard carries a curated selection of styles like deerskin with a berry red silk lining ($200) to peccary with turquoise Scottish cashmere lining ($350).

It’s a glove story for the ages. —Athena Tsavliris

At Gaspard, 913 Queen St. W., Toronto, 416-546-7480, http://gaspardshop.com

We love these gift ideas that share the love with others, too.

With every pair of sunglasses purchased, Toms gives glasses, eye treatment or eye surgery to a person in need. We like this Deoria pair ($129.99) in beachy skyfoam blue. www.toms.ca

Please the little ones on your gift list with this cute rolling turtle in green or red ($18) made by artisans in southern India. www.tenthousandvillages.ca

Proceeds from EQ3's limited-edition Generation Art collection of notebooks, postcards, posters and decor items such as this world beauty cushion ($39.99) go to the Michaëlle Jean Foundation, which funds youth art initiatives for social change. www.eq3.com

Proceeds from Pacific Wild's gorgeous nature prints (from $33) go toward conservation work in B.C.'s Great Bear Rainforest. www.pacificwild.org

Crafted from new and recycled materials, this long, colourful beaded necklace ($100) is made in Haiti and supports skills training in the developing world. https://catalogue.worldvision.ca

Package a Plan Canada Gifts of Hope gift card with a matching tangible item for best effect. We love the pairing of a girl's emergency hygiene kit ($25) with this John Masters Organics Travel Kit ($17.90), including shampoo, conditioner, body wash and lotion. www.plancanada.ca

—Kat Tancock

We thought we were decisive when it comes to shopping – until we signed on to design our own shoes.

New to Canada, the YourReebok system lets you customize colours and patterns and even add text to your pick of 13 styles of fitness footwear. And with 19 colours to choose from for up to 23 areas of the shoe – eyelets, sockliners, even soles are up for customization – we'd be lying if we said we didn't spend hours playing with design and making our Facebook friends vote for their favourites.

We finally settled on this "charged green" and "dynamic pink" model, but honestly? This could turn into an addiction. —Kat Tancock

http://shop.reebok.ca