2007 Gift Guide | Prezzies That Impress: Becoming a gift guru is easier than you think 

The gift of style and grooming can be refreshing if done right. First, let’s access the people you are gifting. A boss? Your partner? A friend? Is he/she a fashionista? A metro? A housewife? Do they like to go clubbing? Travel for business? Hang at Joe’s house drinking Pabst Blue Ribbon? Spend hours examining their pore situation? Not to worry, there is a prezzy out there for everyone.

Let’s start with what not to give. No ties! Trust me. No bath salts. No do-it-yourself jewelry. And no personal grooming tools. You might as well give a mirror with a card that says “check yourself.” There is a tactful way to help someone look their best.

Kathryne Youkstetter, a stunning esthetician at Aerolab Salon (511 W. 200 South, Ste. 130) offers an array of services from amazing facials to “bro” waxing (brow for gentleman). Youkstetter is proud to offer “sugaring,” a gentler, longer-lasting and more sanitary method of hair removal. Check out her wide variety of handmade organic skin care products, Eminence. I liked the starter kits of all travel sizes. Get a gift certificate and let her do the job of suggesting what that special person needs.

Ah, the controversial gift certificate. It’s where and what you give that is the bigger picture. I’m not suggesting a Macy’s gift card. Be more original. Say an hour with a personal shopper/stylist, a professional who can come over and access your person’s wardrobe and suggest what they lack and what would look better on them in a totally impartial third-party way.

Other great gift certificate ideas:

• A trip to the cobbler. The Village Cobbler (1455 S. 2300 East) offers $10 buff & polishings and $50 footwear refurbishings.

• Pay for their next haircut at a salon like Landis (1298 S. 900 East). Cuts include makeup for women, hot-towel facial for men and relaxing scalp massage for both. A mani/pedi from Leena at Happy Nails (235 S. Broadway) is a luxury most don’t splurge on.

• Tailoring takes pounds off. Kay Choi at Best Alterations (366 S. 500 East) can help streamline your recipient’s look.

I think it’s a gross misconception that Salt Lake City is behind the times. I see all sorts of people dressed in up-to-date trends you see in any other urban city. Someone who cares about trends won’t want a department-store button-up. This especially goes out to the parents of fashion-forward teens and 20-somethings. Don’t buy something that you would like to see them in. Check out stores like Filthy Gorgeous (351 W. Pierpont Ave.) Owner/designer Keith Bryce has an awesome collection of original pieces, including one-of-a-kind screen-printed Ts, hats and bags. I was most impressed with the Modular dress co-designed with in-house savant Shogo Fugiwara—a dress that seamlessly goes from shirt to skirt to dress, a must see!

Take a trip down Broadway (on 300 South between 100 East and 300 East) on Dec. 7 for Fashion Stroll and you’ll find stores Model Citizen, Highlife, Redemption Department and Frosty Darling, offering everything from classic knits to hybrid, vandalized, reconstructed couture. You could quite possibly complete your entire list for young and old on one street.

If done tastefully, you can thrift shop (call it “vintage”) and impress the most finicky. Decades (627 S. State) collection surpasses many others. Owner Justin Ferguson suggests accessories are safest because of the size and fit factor. Remember the aforementioned tie? What man would not be taken in by an antique tie tack or clip? For the fashion vixen on your list? A ’60s charm bracelet, a piece of ’30s bakelite, an original ’70s mood ring or a costume piece from the ’20s. Belt buckles, cigarette cases for business cards, Victorian hair combs, wallets. These are all affordable on any budget.

Little effort, not a lot of money, and you’ve made the world a more beautiful place. Voila! You’re a holiday shopping guru.

Princess Kennedy, a Sugar House retailer, writes for City Weekly’s blog at SLWeekly.com.