Holiday Gifting

WHAT: The Society of MSKCC Thrift Shop Holiday Bazaar

WHY: The Society of Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center’s Thrift Shop is holding their annual Holiday Bazaar.

Great selection of new and gently used Gift items, designer clothing, jewelry, home goods, and furniture. Items include Missoni dress for $285 and a mink jacket for $450. 

* Proceeds benefit The Society of MSKCC’s Patient Care, Research and Education programs.

WHEN: 11/6 – 11/10; Wed (10-7), Th (11-6), F (10-5:30), Sat (10-5), Sun (noon-5)

WHERE: The Society of Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center Thrift Shop
1440 Third Avenue
(between 81st and 82nd Streets)
New York, NY

SUBMITTED BY: TheStylishCity.com

For the complete list of today’s sales and sample sales check HERE

WHAT: JACHS Pop Up Sample Sale

WHY: 50-80% off Fall and Holiday collections at the JACHS Pop Up Sample Sale.

JACHS is every shopper’s one-stop-shop for casual, American Vintage-inspired clothing. JACHS uses premium fabrics for the utmost comfort and style. Perfect for any occasion that requires a laidback look, JACHS has everything from the perfect button down shirt to leather bomber jackets and belted shirt-dresses.

WHEN: 11/11 – 11/24; F (10-5)

WHERE: Chelsea Market
75 9th Avenue
New York, NY 10011

SUBMITTED BY: TheStylishCity.com

For the complete list of today’s sales and sample sales check HERE

The Bitta Design Group Sample Sale began this morning at the luxurious Cassa New York Hotel. Please note the sale is located on the 10^th Floor and down the hallway on your left hand side, once through the elevator.

Imaginative designs, dazzling jewels, and vibrant diamonds occupied the display cases offering 75% off retail prices. If you’ve yet to find the perfect holiday gift, or still don’t know what to write on your wish list that your procrastinating significant other has been begging you for, then your solution lies within the Bitta Design Group Sample Sale.

It isn’t often that a jewelry sample sale impresses us, but between the outrageously good discounts and stunning pieces, this sale certainly gets our two thumbs up. When you first walk into the 10^th floor sale, there is a display case of sapphire and ruby pieces. If you’ve yet to find your young adult daughter the perfect gift to WOW her, check out the Ruby and Diamond Long Skull Necklace set in 14K White Gold ($1,620, orig. $6,482) as well as a Large Sapphire Ring with Diamonds set in White Gold ($1,765, orig. $7,063)

Next up, is an extraordinary array of emeralds, blue topaz, black spinel, and black diamonds, featured in styles such as drop earrings, rings, and statement bracelets. The eye-catchers of the bunch included a pair of 18K White Gold Diamond and Emerald Drop Earrings ($3,613, orig. $14,455, pictured), a pair of Black Spinel Double Circle Diamond Drop Earrings ($2,863, orig. $11,455, pictured) and a beautiful White Gold and Aquamarine Ring with Diamonds.

A few pairs of Bitta’s most popular earrings were on hand — a simple drop earring encircled by diamonds and set in white gold or yellow gold, available in a variety of colors such as Smokey Quartz and Aquamarine with Black Diamonds ($1,184, orig. $4,739, Smoke Quartz).

Before you start narrowing it down to your favorite piece, don’t overlook the Rose Gold pieces with Kunzite, the 48” chain of Rose Gold and Spinel ($1,680, orig, $6734), the bracelets with German Cut Stones in 14K Gold, or the blinding case of simple diamond bands, diamond tennis bracelets, and classic diamond studs for as low as $740. 

A diamond really is a girl’s best friend, and with Bitta’s reimagined classic pieces combined with wonderful semi-precious stones, there is no going wrong with opting to shop for last minute gifts for your loved ones at the Bitta Design Group Sample Sale.

WHEN: 12/19 – 12/20; Wed-Th (10-6)

WHERE: Cassa NY Hotel
70 West 45th Street
New York, New York 10036

By Caitlin Colford

Financially, the holiday season has become a huge burden on Americans’ pockets these past few years, as families struggle to make ends meet during trying economical times. Instead of being a season to look forward to and embrace, people fear it like the plague, knowing they will be forced to spend money they can’t afford to part with on presents for loved ones. Prior to this depression we’ve been in, Christmas had become a time to lay out the big bucks for over the top presents, such as Playstations, fur coats, and yes, even automobiles. Soon thereafter, one by one, people fell into their own struggle, some slower to come to terms with it than others, and eventually families unanimously agreed that they needed to put a stop to the ridiculous spending on gifts. Rules were set, a  spending limit was placed, and in some cases, events and gatherings became a substitute for gifts. Families began coming together with simple tokens of appreciation, or no presents at all, the main purpose being to simply enjoy each other’s company, basking in the pleasure of conversation and laughter rather than FedEx-ing the latest Wii game with a “family update” attached. But wait, isn’t coming together what the holiday season is supposed to be about in the first place?

If your family never parted with the spending, and still revolves this special time around the disheartening notion of physical gifting, then it may take remembering a scene from the Dr. Seuss’ classic, How the Grinch Stole Christmas, to make you appreciate, well, what Christmas is all about. Remember when the Grinch swooped down to Whoville on Christmas Eve? He stole every gift and tree, decoration and ham, in order to take the holiday away from the townspeople he loathed. When residents of Whoville woke up to bare fireplaces and empty living rooms on Christmas morning, they embraced each other anyway, singing in the streets in appreciation for the day itself and those they are blessed with, for it was Christmas they were looking forward to, not the perks came along with it. Where did we go wrong? Isn’t this children’s story the perfect goal as to what mindset we must maintain?

Bratty children may not be able to grasp the idea that they will not receive the latest gadget or gizmo on their favorite holiday, but we must lead by example. For one, my family has made a game out of gift giving, utilizing the “set of rules” to save money, have fun, and enjoy one another’s company. We all participate, young and old, and have made it a tradition to gather around after digging into a glazed ham and laugh and shout during the “White Elephant Gift Exchange.” Heard of it? It’s also referred to as Dirty Santa, Pollyanna, or more descriptively, The Christmas Swap Thingy. Here everyone brings a wrapped gift, setting a fair limit of say, $10 or $20, and each member of the family selects a number from a hat. In our designated order, we then are allowed to choose a new gift from under the tree or steal one someone else has, and it can get feisty! Above all else, the bottom line is this silly game is all about having fun with each other.

This 2011 shopping season is giving hope to America’s economy. In recent totals, it is proven that America is spending 15% more on gifts than last year. Cyber Monday raked in a whopping 1.25 billion dollars, totaling out holiday spending thus far at over 18 billion. While stimulating the economy is important, as is looking up and forward as we dig ourselves out of this financial rut while jobless rates decrease, we must not loose sight of the family oriented traditions we have set in place as we all struggled together. It took so long for us to return to the real meaning of Christmas, that even if the money is there, let’s continue to enjoy one another’s company and not let big spending get in the way.

While it’s obvious gifts still are going to be given, this year put your money towards doing something creative for each family member, friend, and neighbor. Some suggestions that are sure to be a big hit is to load up mason jars with goodies: mini cobblers, personalized spice blends, candied nuts, and homemade granola. Wrap that to stick under the tree so Uncle Johnny and Grandma can fight over it during the “White Elephant Gift Exchange.” We all know Granny will win, but I’m sure she’ll share.

By Caitlin Colford