Christmas is one week away, and you’re almost at panic point (almost, because we know about and love expedited shipping!). Unfortunately, your reliable savior is going to cost you some money, which puts a little dent in your budget for the actual gifts. Ah, the trade-off. No worries. Check out the great, unique gifts ThisNext readers have suggested. These gifts suggested by some of my ThisNext pals are light on the wallet but illicit a big “Wow.”

As selected by notcot

“Because it’s gorgeous, living, biotech, and who can say no to a hands-off no-maintenance orchid in a test tube?”

Not just gorgeous, but how absolutely fun is this gift? I love it because as it grows, the gift keeps on giving.  

 

 

 

As selected by mitten

“Wrap someone you love in organic cotton scarves in gorgeous cable knit patterns. Feel warm, feel good and do a little something for the planet.”

 

 

 

 

 

As selected by styleblip

“I’ve had my eye on these for a while! I love the transparent effect of a glass-within-a-glass. It’s about finding the beauty in everyday things. When I finally have a home - not an apartment - they WILL be mine!”

For this great price, you can send six glasses (3 sets) and still meet your budget.

 

 

 

As selected by caro

“I pretty much just heart this a lot. Good is for people who heart things.” 

Since your $20 subscription goes to a nonprofit (you get to select), this gift has many recipients.

 

 

 

 

 

As selected by Kristine

“How insanely fun is this?”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

More ideas!

 

See more of my Gifts Under $50 list at ThisNext.

 

Dinner parties are a sensual experience, but the tastes, aromas and sights of a gorgeous meal are only part of the picture. If you want to make a dinner party really sing, you have to take some care in selecting the music to accompany your painstakingly prepared meal.

MattBites throws down the gauntlet, listing the top ten albums he loves to listen to while entertaining. Matt’s a man after my own heart — his list is a melange of classic jazz and contemporary Euro lounge with a dash of Latin flava in for good measure.  Anyone who juxtaposes Nina Simone, Antonio Carlos Jobim and Hotel Costes can sit at my table.

What are the tunes that get your tummy grumbling? 

Being a hostess with the mostess means definitely not spilling what you’re serving - and always having just the right amount of seating available.

I certainly will use this tray to pass the canapés, but Daily Olive points us to a lovely no-tip wine serving tray which could lead to a very fabulous party as I think I’ll have to have one in every scrumptious color. 

For multi-functional and easy to store seating that doesn’t look like it was stolen from your office conference room or a distant Moroccon boudoir the Olive also point us to these fabulously designed Falter Folding Stools.

Hmmm…anyone free next Saturday? 

We love a good dinner party, especially when it’s at your house. No but seriously, throwing a dinner party can be so rewarding. It’s a chance to bond with loved ones over delicious, homemade food — hopefully!

While you want your guests to be comfortable, throwing a dinner party is no casual affair. It takes planning, forethought and quite a lot of work. Before you spend lots of time going all Martha and making napkin rings out of recycled bicycle tires or whatever, focus first on what matters, and you’re guaranteed to thrill your guests with quality chow, and still have time to clink glasses with them. Derrick at SFist lays it out for you. (via Derrick’s blog, An Obsession With Food)