Sip your eggnog on the runway

Yay for Christmas.

I’m normally one to buy into all the holiday hype and celebrate the… Yay for Christmas.

I’m normally one to buy into all the holiday hype and celebrate the season to its fullest. To me, Christmas wouldn’t be Christmas without excessive decorations, tacky carols or crazed masses vying for PlayStation 3s or flat-screen TVs. It’s all part of the charm of this time of year.

In the same way, I can’t imagine the holiday season without new winter fashion trends. I think that scarves, overcoats, sweaters and suede look perfect paired with one’s visible breath against the nippy, wintry weather.

Even chunky, heavily patterned wool sweaters are warranted. They’re especially appropriate when you warm up by the fireplace and sip spiced eggnog on Christmas Eve.

Fashion plays an important part this time of year. Even though everyone seems to be nonsensically busy, we usually tend to find time to pay more attention to our look, as family and friends are seeing us more often. As many tend to become more fashion conscious during this time, clothes are often a key gift idea when buying for friends and loved ones.

We can all remember receiving bad clothes from relatives, even parents, around Christmas time. Most of these items don’t fit or are just truly unsightly and, a few months down the road, can be found rolled into a ball at the bottom of our closets. Although it’s risky, many still opt to give the gift of fashion.

Boyfriends and girlfriends should buy at least one article of clothing for each other, to make for an intimate and memorable gift. Also, such a gift can be an affectionate gesture for a best friend.

It doesn’t take a special talent to buy something for someone that he or she will actually wear. Surprisingly, guys may be better at this than girls, because a girl would tend to buy her guy something that she would like to see him in, when he actually thinks it’s lame. Be sure to fairly evaluate the style of the person for whom you’re buying.

At the same time, a Christmas gift is the perfect excuse for a girl to indulge in her fantasies and force her guy to lose the sweats and try out those nice jeans all the cool guys seem to be wearing. Many girls also tend to outfit their men in cute sweaters and maybe even a scarf that the guys normally wouldn’t touch.

Guys have an advantage here, too. This is a perfect opportunity to score points with that special girl and to impress her with good taste. A cute scarf, sweet cashmere or a Dooney and Bourke handbag are also great ways to display lush sentiment.

Both sexes should seek advice from knowledgeable third parties if there are any questions. Often underestimated are the sales teams who work at retail stores, as they can offer bundles of recommendations on best-selling styles and various sizing options. They’re there if you ever need a second opinion, suggestion or idea.

When choosing a size, remember that certain styles and stores cut their clothes how they want them to fit and size them appropriately. So envision the look of how the garment is supposed to finish on the body. If you can’t decide on a size, choose the more generous of the two.

Sizing is hit or miss and is one of the daunting challenges we face while Christmas shopping. Many combat this problem by giving gift cards, and almost all retail chains offer them. But for a personal or intimate friend, gift cards are not recommended, as they make for a less exceptional exchange.

Ask your cashier for a gift receipt, or make sure to get one in an online checkout With a gift receipt, one can return the item and get credit like a gift card anyway.

Also, unless you have a strong reason not to, stick to brand retailers and avoid discounters. This will give your gift a better image and a newer, more luxurious statement.

The statement your gift will make can also be an opportunity for you as a gift-giver to steer another’s style and open new frontiers, while enjoying Yuletide eggnog in those comfy Christmas sweaters.

Send your well-dressed holiday cheer to Derek at dsf5@pitt.edu.