It’s better to give

Yes, it’s better, but oh so difficult too… Who knows what to get that brother-in-law you never see, the one who’s into square dancing? What about your second cousin in New Mexico? The one who always sends expensive jellies? Our gift guide helps you discern his/her style by family type… Check out our signs to help you figure it out.

Perfect for all the families in our gift guide, the Hermés Balcon platter, $248 - Radcliffe Jewelers

Preppy

The classic preppy family is the lifeblood of Baltimore. Bright colors (lots of hot pink), monograms and alligator shirts are like gasoline on this family’s high-spirited fire.

Preps Do:
Like dogs more than people.
Vote Republican.
Have last names for first names.

Preps Don’t:
Attend peace rallies as a family.
Wear smoky makeup and cleavage-baring tops.
Leave Baltimore.

Lacoste shirts, short sleeve/longsleeve - Cohen’s Clothiers, $72/$82; Wood carved alligators - The Store Ltd.; Personalized lamp - The Monogram Shop, $275; Liza Byrd fleece gloves with grosgrain ribbons - http://www.lizabyrd.com, $14, available in adult and kids sizes; beer holder - Bosom Buddy Bags, 410.823.3669, $30; Christmas tree cords - J.McLaughlin, $185; Monogrammed clogs - Belle Cose, $125; Monogrammed plates in pink, green or blue. - Sunnyfield’s, prices vary, please see store for details.

Sporty

Sporty families are happier in the great outdoors strutting their fit bodies. Give them something to keep them on their feet and take a cue from their athleticism while you’re at it…

Sporty Families:
Worship lacrosse.
Ride English and Western.
Name kids Tiger, Ryan and Martina.

Sporty Families Do Not:
Go to the O’s games for the food.
Fear horses.
Watch Project Runway.

Fox head cuff links - Yoicks; Children’s riding boots - Maryland Saddlery, $59; Halter and lead chain - Maryland Saddlery, $73 and $45; Football blanket - Yoicks, $280; Paddle tennis racquet - Princeton Sports, $129; Brooks Robinson Norman Rockwell print - brooksrobinson.com, $40; Rubber boots - Yoicks, $395; Warrior lacrosse stick - Lax World, head $145 and shaft $147.

Crunchy

Sensitive granola families are all about peace and love. Give them natural fibers and handmade goods to let them know you have your finger
on their style pulse.

Signs They’re Crunchy:
They’re vegans.
They knit.
The kids have names like Grain and Apple.

Signs They’re Not:
They drive an SUV.
They have an NRA bumper sticker.
They love junk food.

World bag - Ten Thousand Villages, $30; Kitt children’s peace sweater - Lord and Lady Bug, $58; Wooden bowls & pincher chopsticks - The Store Ltd., bowl, $20/chopsticks, $5; Puppets - Ten Thousand Villages, man $13, woman, $14; Robert Indiana Love mat - The Store Ltd., $35; Birkenstocks - Towson Bootery, $100; Love T-shirt - The Bead, $24.99; Mexican tote - Milagro, $140.

Wordly

Curious about their surroundings, the worldly family leaves the house to investigate, with thinking caps intact. The worldly family seeks knowledge. Give them everything!

Wordly Families…
Think nothing of traveling to Europe with children under five.
Have a piece of the Berlin Wall in their library.
Have kids names like Cornelia or Augustus.

Wordly Families Do Not:
Watch American Idol.
Speak only one language.
Visit Euro Disney when in Paris.

First Prints of Edgar Allen Poe’s The Raven and Murders in the Rue Morgue - 19th Century Shop, prices upon request; Striped silk bow tie - J.McLaughlin, $45; Green and white onyx chess set - Ten Thousand Villages, $94; Polo by Ralph Lauren tweed jacket - Samuel Parker Clothier, $1,095; BSO tickets - Joseph Meyerhoff Symphony Orchestra, prices vary, see schedule; My Numbers in French, by Zakiyyah, flips to Spanish on reverse side - Little Linguists Press; Antique magnifying glass - The Store Ltd., $450; At Canaan’s Edge, by Taylor Branch, Third in the popular series - The Ivy Bookshop; globe - Target, $30.

Hip

Incorporating a likeable sense of humor into its style, the hip family never takes itself too seriously (that’s not cool). And likes to show it’s in the know…

Signs They’re Hip:
Wear ironic glasses.
Read The New Yorker and Granta.
Kids have names like Silas, Oliver and Sadie.

Signs They’re Not:
Dad is a motivational speaker.
Mom has had breast augmentation.
Kids like sports.

Vinyl album bowl - Bluehouse, $24; Baltimore Betty paper doll book - The BMA Shop, $10; Skull and crossbones necklace - Shine Collective, $84; Jonathan Adler coffee table book - Nouveau, $35; Barbie chandelier - The Bead, $199.99; Frida Kahlo handbag - Milagro, $16; Black nail polish - Kiss and Makeup, $11; Jimmy Hendrix tee shirt - The Bead, $24.99.

Needlepoint:

The stockings were hung by the chimney with care, In hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there.
“Twas the Night Before Christmas”

Nestled warmly into Christmas morning, are the often small but dear treasures tucked into a stocking. A favorite candy. A pretty barrette. Cozy socks. The small joy of the stocking stuffing makes Christmas mornings just a little extra special, the perfect touch of love and care.

Hand-made cross-stitched stockings provide the ideal showcase for your holiday treasures. Not only are they exquisite, but a hand-stitched gift is the ultimate gift of love, since the average needle point project, like these shown, takes the stitcher 6-8 months to complete. These gifts become instant heirlooms for the lucky recipients.

Inspired? It may be too late to create your own woven work of art, but it’s just in time to resolve to start a project to be done in time for next season.

Both the Blunt Needle in Roland Park and Needles and Threads of Ruxton offer hand-painted canvases from the finest designers in a variety of themes and styles. In addition to needles, thread, accessories and many terrific stitch books, they also provide finishing services to help you turn your finished needlepoint turned into a masterpiece. The website http://www.needlesandthreadsofruxton.com often has schedules and reminders, with “due dates” to get projects to the finisher. For the most current information on the latest trends in needlepoint and upcoming shows, stop into the stores or call to subscribe to their newsletters.

The Blunt Needle, 5004 Lawndale Ave., #A, Roland Park, 410.435.0223.
Needles and Threads of Ruxton, 7701 Bellona Ave., Ruxton, 410.828.7688.