The Get Gifty: Our Holiday Gift Shop Boutique is now open.

It’s better to give than to receive – sage advice we should all be following, especially during the holiday season. This nugget is doubly important to bear in mind when shopping for your next Yankee Swap soiree.

I know I can’t be the only one who suffers from severe shopping anxiety when it comes to finding the perfect communal gift. Your purchase is bound to change hands multiple times throughout the night, so it needs appeal to everyone.

Whether you’re shopping for family or friends, men or women, or a mixed bag of the aforementioned, show up with any of the following and your gift will be the envy of the evening.

Wine. You really can’t go wrong when it comes to gifting a bottle of vino. Stick to classics like Malbec, Merlot, Zinfandel, and Riesling to accommodate even the most discerning of taste buds. Dress it up by pairing your bottle of choice with a set of new wine glasses or wine charms to adorn the neck. Voilà! Instagift.

Gift cards. You’ll be hard-pressed to find anyone at a party who won’t appreciate saving a few bucks on their everyday staples. Coffee, music, and book purchases all fall under this umbrella, but feel free to get creative – try filling a decorative coffee mug with eye-catching tissue paper and resting the gift cards on top.

Think cozy. Pair winter-friendly items together to create an irresistibly comfy gift set. A fleece throw and a lightly scented candle will make the weather outside seem not-so-frightful.

Gourmet touches. The holiday shelves are stocked with plenty of tasty, pre-packaged gift packs. From hot cocoa to pastry mixes, there are more than enough appetizing options out there for aspiring chefs (or anyone with a sweet tooth). Find a unique bowl or platter to jazz up your presentation.

By Lauryn Paiva, Staff Writer

What are you bringing to your next Yankee Swap? Share in the comments below or tweet us at @ruelala.

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Nambé “Eclipse” Wine Rack. The hostess with the mostess has almost everything – except for this. The perfect gift to bring along with that bottle of Chardonnay, this modern wine rack keeps all those gifted bottles on display before it’s their turn to be popped open.

The Get Gifty: Our Holiday Gift Shop Boutique is now open.

THE INSIDE SCOOP BEHIND THE STORIED FAMILY VILLA

We caught up with Salvatore Ferragamo, grandson of the iconic fashion company’s late founder, for some insider insight about their family estate that he describes as “historic, luxurious, and picturesque.” There are so many amazing details about the estate (and our Tuscan adventure as a whole!) but we’ve zeroed in on five little-known facts about the Ferragamo family, wines, and estate that get us dreaming of the dolce vita.

1. When Salvatore said the property was historic – he meant it. The estate once belonged to the world-famous Medici-Tornaquinci noble family, as well as Italian royals throughout history.

2. The estate’s library is chock-filled with the family’s private collection of books and photographs – a treasure-trove of family heirlooms.

3. Although the family is all about style, the estate’s ambiance is all about homey comfort. So no need to stress, guests are encouraged to dress as formally or casually as they wish.

4. The estate restaurant, Osteria del Borro, specializes in ancient Tuscan recipes reinterpreted by renowned Chef Roberto Bendinelli. Salvatore’s pick for a can’t-miss meal: steak florentine paired with the flagship Il Borro wine.

5. The Ferragamo name doesn’t grace any of the bottles of their estate wines. The family wants the wine to stand on its own delicious merits.

The Ferragamo family estate and winery is only one aspect of the incredible Tuscany: Il Palio & The Ferragamo Estate Boutique – other elements include coveted views of the Il Palio horse race, three nights in an eleventh-century castle, and unparalleled wine country experiences.

The Tuscany: Il Palio & The Ferragamo Estate Boutique opens Monday, December 6 at 11AM ET. ]]> http://www.ruelala.com/blog/2010/12/03/5-telling-tidbits-salvatore-ferragamo-talks-family-wines/feed/ 1 http://www.ruelala.com/blog/2010/06/25/a-once-in-a-lifetime-dinner-at-bar-boulud/ http://www.ruelala.com/blog/2010/06/25/a-once-in-a-lifetime-dinner-at-bar-boulud/#comments Fri, 25 Jun 2010 16:42:36 +0000 ruelalablog http://www.ruelala.com/blog/?p=2117 BY ZIGGY CHAU, LUXURY LIFESTYLE JOURNALIST AND RUE LA LA MEMBER

Besides being a fashionista, I’m also a foodie. Imagine my excitement when I was invited to the Zagat “Off the Menu” dinner held exclusively for Rue La La Members.

We gathered at Bar Boulud, Chef Daniel Boulud’s wine bar and bistro at Lincoln Center, for a four-course wine pairing dinner presented by Chef Damian Sansonetti and Sommelier Michael Madrigale.

Throughout the dinner, the Chef and Sommelier came out to explain the dishes and wines. We got a rare insight into just how the unique flavor experience for our taste buds was created.

From the decadent Long Island Duck and Hudson Valley Foie Gras Pâté, to the cream from Battenkill Valley in Salem that was used in preparing the ricotta for the indulgent Tarte Aux Fraise for dessert, I was very impressed by Chef Sansonetti’s use of local ingredients in preparing the dinner. He brought 15 New York state farms together for the evening’s menu and stressed the importance of supporting local growers.

Sommelier Madrigale complemented every dish with superb wine pairings that brought out the fresh local flavors of the ingredients used for the menu. I loved that we were able to try two wines for every course. My favorites had to be the selections paired with the cheeses and desserts – like the Wolffer Estate 2007 Late Harvest Chardonnay from the Hamptons and the Château D’Arlay N.V. Macvin du Jura.

The highlight of the evening was meeting other Rue La La Members and fellow foodies and sharing our favorite shopping experiences on Rue La La. Thanks again for the invitation and experience! Until the next time…