December: from the editor

I felt a bit like Santa recently, when Her magazine held its first Girlfriend Gifts Giveaway. And, like Santa, I had lots of help from incredibly hard-working elves to pull it off!

To stock our "gift boutique" at The Daily Reflector, the Her magazine advertising representatives asked the local retailers they represent to give us one or two great gifts that they sell for $25 or less. The local stores provided a variety of wonderful items for women of all ages — and nothing was duplicated! I added in some of the new sample products and books I've received in the mail.

Then I sent out an e-mail to the members of the Her magazine readers' panel, inviting them to come "shop" for a gift they'd like to give or receive. The response was incredible! More than 80 panelists said they'd like to participate, but we only had space for the first 40 women who responded.

On the afternoon of the giveaway, Her magazine interns Lauren Harrell and Anna Vaughn Creech and designer Wendy Gurganus worked their magic in the downstairs Daily Reflector conference room, creating a holiday boutique complete with a lighted Christmas tree, holiday arrangements and Christmas music. They even borrowed a large wreath made of newspaper created by Newspapers in Education Manager Gigi Walter.

Ladies were lined up in the foyer at least 15 minutes before our "boutique" was scheduled to open! They went in, five at a time, to select a gift. Then they wrote a sentence or two about why they would like to give or receive that item as a gift before moving on to our "photo studio" in the lobby, where they posed with their presents. The best part: the gift was theirs to keep — or give away.

I think the resulting Girlfriends' Gift Guide is filled with great ideas for gifts for female friends. I hope you agree!

And I hope you get everything on your wish list this holiday season!