Girlfriends' gift guide

By Jane Hudson
Her

Saturday, November 15, 2008

Need some ideas for great gifts to give your girlfriends this holiday season? Presents that say "you mean a lot to me even though I can't spend a fortune on you?"

Local retailers have lots of great gifts for your girlfriend that cost $25 or less, and, at our request, they were kind enough to donate one or two items for the first Her magazine Girlfriend Gifts Giveaway.

We set up a boutique at The Daily Reflector with the gift items the stores provided, then invited members of the Her magazine readers' panel to come out and "shop" for a present they'd like to give or receive.

The first 40 panelists who signed up for the gift giveaway were eligible to participate — and more than double that number wanted to take part! The participants were delighted with the gifts, as you may be able to tell from the corresponding photos we took.

We hope you'll find some fun, thrifty ideas for presents to give your girlfriends this holiday season. For a list of the participating merchants, see below. Tell them you saw it in Her magazine!

Happy shopping!

• To view the Girlfriends' gift guide photo gallery for Her magazine panel members' comments and gifts they chose, click on the link below the photo on the left.

Girlfriend Gift Giveaway participating stores:

Affordable Elegance, Arlington Village, 911-913 Red Banks Road, 215-0667, www.affordelegancenc.com.

Che Bella Boutique, La Promenade, 518 S.E. Greenville Blvd., 321-8864.

The Cottage Loft, Uptown Greenville, 330 Evans St., Suite 111, Jefferson Blount Harvey Building, 355-5601.

Dolce Vita, 3110-F S. Evans St., 329-8500, www.shopdolcevitaonline.com.

Dulcinea, Uptown Greenville, 414 S. Washington St., 757-1179, www.dulcineaweb.com.

Fabricate Too, Arlington Village, 919 Red Banks Road, 756-1058.

The Fifth Season, Arlington Village, 696 E. Arlington Blvd., 756-9088.

The Fringed Benefit, Arlington Village, 635 Red Banks Road, 756-8323.

HoneyBaked Ham, 710-C Red Banks Road, 329-0700, www.honeybaked.com.

Jan’s Hallmark, Greenville Mall, 714 S.E. Greenville Blvd., 756-9430, www.jansadvantage.com.

Jefferson’s Florist and Gifts, Uptown Greenville, 330 Evans St., 355-5600, www.jeffersonflorist.com.

Lautares Jewelers, Arlington Village, 640 E. Arlington Blvd., 756-0083, www.lautares.com.

The Light Christian Book Store, 2803-E S. Evans St., 756-0777, www.go2thelight.com.

Merle Norman, Arlington Village, 608 E. Arlington Blvd., 756-0014, www.greenvilledayspa.com.

Millie’s Gifts, Greenville Mall, 714 S.E. Greenville Blvd., 321-0135.

Moxie Clothing, Uptown Greenville, 204 E. Fifth St., 758-7400, moxieclothing.net.

Pink Boutique, Arlington Village, 637 Red Banks Road, 355-6910.

Pizzaz Jewelry and Gifts, Arlington Village, 639 Red Banks Road, 3212-8182, www.pizzazjewelry.com.

Reflections Skin Spa, Bedford Commons, 3483 Evans St., Suite B, 561-SKIN.

Saturday’s Shoes and Accessories, 1508 S.W. Greenville Blvd., 757-1911.

Temptations Gift Boutique, Arlington Village, 684 E. Arlington Blvd., 355-5234, www.temptationstrading.com.

Tickled Pink, 1909 E. Fire Tower Road, 353-7465, www.tickledpinkgiftbaskets.com.

Uniques Crafts and Gifts, 2301 Stantonsburg Road, 752-7023.

Village Point Market, 620 Red Banks Road, 321-FOOD, www.villagepointmarket.com.

On-line Gift Sources:

Chronicle Books, www.chroniclebooks.com

Compendium Inc., www.live-inspired.com

Dutton Publishing, www.penguingroup.com

e.l.f., www.eyeslipsface.com

Femail Creations, www.femailcreations.com

40something T-shirts, www.40somethingtshirts.com

The Harvard Common Press, www.harvardcommonpress.com

Hugg-a-Planet, www.peacetoys.com

Mary Kay, www.marykay.com

William Morrow Publishing, www.harpercollins.com