Advice from a pro: Gift giving

When it comes to bestowing presents, New York style editor Allison Reynolds wins the blue ribbon. Her wit, imagination and bull-dogged pursuit of the most unique offerings has garnered her a reputation and countless invites to birthday parties.

In addition to freelancing as a market editor for magazines, she has put together gift guides for Harper's Bazaar, People magazine and Bravo.com. Here's her take on how to win the coveted trophy for best gift giver.

Describe your style as a gift giver: "I imagine I am a cross between
Maria Callas and Dennis the Menace, a diva with a case of hyperactivity. "Darling it’s Hermes. Open it, open it!"

What is the best present you ever received? Why?

"Keeping a theme… as of late I enjoyed tickets to the Metropolitan Opera’s showing of Anthony Minghella’s 'Madame Butterfly.' It was a mesmerizing performance and I am thrilled I saw it. Now I know the story of 'Madame Butterfly.' "

Worst gift you ever gave someone?
"Whew, being a confidently cruel and vindictive glamour puss, I don’t get to do it enough. Lately, I’d say it would be a calculator shaped like a carton of eggs. It’s called the egg-ulator. That was sort of bitchy and regift-y…"

What's the biggest mistake people make when giving gifts?
"They give things THEY want. No no no. One must look at the receiver and give them something that suits their style, soul and sassy self."

If your sister-in-law has atrocious taste, do you indulge it and buy her a sequined toilet seat cover?
"Hell no! No sequined seat covers. No Precious Moment figurines. Stop the insanity. Your job is now to imbue some good taste. Act as a taste wizard/superhero. Wear the cape and shield when you give her a cashmere throw or a coffee table book on “Style”… Do it!"

Name your top three online sources for unique

gifts:

Momastore.com

Dashwoodbooks.com

Hableconstruction.com

Better books: Taschen or Rizzoli?
"I’d say Rizzoli. I’m a little stiff. Although the Ralph Lauren book nearly did me in… egads. Now I am into a little Cali publishing house called Ammo who have a picture book on Hunter S. Thompson’s antics called 'Gonzo.' I likey."

How much should you spend on a hostess gift?
"$50 seems civilized."

Give us your top three picks for last-minute gifts that won't bludgeon your bank account.
"Amaryllis in a beautiful terra cotta potty.
A crazy expensive toothpaste like Marvis. No one’s going to buy that for themselves. A little oral decadence and you’re out $15, tops.
Or a carton of clementines.
Oh I could go on and on…."

Photo credits: Reynolds, private collection; Callas, Bruno Rosi; Menace, Hank Ketcham; eggulator, Fredflare.com; "Peter Beard," Dashwood Books; "Gonzo," Ammo.

Comments

[Helen T]

Fabulous advice! I am warming up my cashmere shield now to see off the Christmas tat, as the defender of UK taste! Thinking my site needs a little more Callas! My husband already provides the Dennis the Menace element, with our daughter as Beryl the Peril!