Gifts That Stand Out in a Crowd

What to get your friends and family for Hanukkah or Christmas? It's the most vexing, most stress-inducing question of the festive season. It doesn't have to be. Too many of us spend too much time thinking up clever gifts that will make a statement about the giver — and not enough trying to please the receiver. Startlingly original, handmade gifts are touching; otherwise, when in doubt, fork out. If you have a generous budget, here are a few ideas that are sure to make them smile:

For The Kids The ultimate place to hang out with a few friends, this stuffed-toy chair (above, $5,400) is the handiwork of the Campana Brothers, Brazilian designers known for using inexpensive materials. At www.mossonline.com.

For Her What's the real reason she's always so eager to watch Sex and the City? So that she can get a better look at Carrie's Manolos. Forget snow boots, this year buy her shoes she wouldn't buy herself. About $1,000 by Manolo Blahnik.

For Friends O.K., the whole yoga fad is beginning to get on your nerves: when did all your friends become so bendy? Still, if you can't talk them back onto the tennis courts and the ski slopes (what do they mean, "high-impact?"), then at least you can get them to stop embarrassing you by showing up everywhere with those icky purple rubber mats. Louis Vuitton's specially treated Epi Soft leather yoga mat and bag, about $1,380.

For Mom And Dad If your parents wanted any more trinkets cluttering up their house they wouldn't still be nagging you to get your yearbooks out of the attic. Get them something perishable, like food. To ship treats like Vandererfven jam and Destrooper cookies (from $56) go to www.giftsofcourse.com.

For Him When Tag Heuer first introduced the Formula 1 watch in 1986, it became an immediate Christmas classic. In fact, he's probably still wearing his old one. Replace it with this new, flashier model. About $600.