If one of your New Year's resolutions is to finally dress up the guest bathroom, the new Fantasia soaps from Claus Porto are for you. Made in Europe and milled a staggering seven times, the long-lasting bars all contain 100-percent natural, skin-healing Mango Butter. Each soap comes individually wrapped and adorned with whimsical, original artwork. They're so pretty you'll hesitate to open them up - but trust us, it's worth the payoff.

We know you're already something of an artist during feeding time (getting the food into her mouth, airplane-style, takes a creative type). The new Skip Hop Palette Plate masters the art of finger foods - three microwave-safe drop-in bowls fit into the palette, and there's even a skid-resistant cup area and matching utensils. After meals, pop on the translucent covers and stick the leftovers in the fridge.

Dressing up can be such a bore for little boys -- the stiff suit, the uncomfortable tie, the shiny, squeaky shoes. This Small Paul Fedora may quell that distaste by making the whole thing feel more like play. The hat looks swank enough for dad, but it's been sized down for your little man. Surely this will get him excited about dressing up for grandma's house...

Doodling is a fine pastime to begin with, but with this kit your scribblings will really stand out. The 3-D Doodle Kit has a compass for precise circle doodles (or you can just go crazy--your choice), a red and blue pencil, and -- voila -- 3-D glasses to make that little drawing pop. We recommend that you or your kid give it a whirl. 

When you give someone a cozy shawl from Afghan Hands, you get to feel warm and fuzzy, too. The nonprofit teaches craft skills to Afghan widows in order to help them gain independence, literacy, and livable wages. The oversized fringed shawls are made from a cashmere and wool blend and intricately embellished with bright thread by hand. It's a wonderful way to share the wealth this holiday season.

As parents, you may be reluctant to introduce any toy that makes noise into the house, but the delight offered by this four-piece instrument set is well worth the (minimal) racket. The First Act Discovery Junior Quartet includes a tambourine small enough for little hands (6 inches), two jingle sticks, and one chrome triangle-all of which will sound decidedly sweeter around the piano during the holidays. Even if your musician is too young to keep the beat, "Jingle Bells" will have a particularly special ring to it after this gift has been opened.

Help them get home for the holidays with the Real Time Traffic-Avoiding GPS system. It's tricked out with the usual features(audible direction, alternate routes, maps, and restaurant and hotel information), but it also provides real-time traffic and weather stats, has MP3 storage to play music when not looking for directions, and it automatically adjusts it's brightness according to light conditions. And, in case you're still not confident that they can get home quickly, the whole thing is portable, with five solid hours of battery life.

Remember the gingerbread houses of your childhood--the cracked graham crackers, hardening gumdrop bushes, and gluey, barely-edible frosting? This mid-century modern version will turn that memory on its head. The house is made from thick, fragrant cookies and complete with an icing garage and a candy "rock" garden. You can opt to personalize it with your family's name, and best of all, the entire thing is completely delicious (as long as you remember to start in on it before 30 days have passed).

It's a fair bet that your resident sophisticate already has plenty of perfume. Why not go for something more useful, and just as glamorous? Santa Maria Novella's new scented papers for wool will keep her sweaters perfect, and the set is too beautiful not to enjoy opening. The delectable fragrance has notes of camphor, cedar, and mint (all natural moth repellants), and the thick paper cards are stamped with the Santa Maria Novella Crest. Simply spray a little fragrance on a card, then tuck it into your drawers or hang it from a ribbon in your closet.

Need a luxe, last-minute gift that doesn't feel like an afterthought? Here's one so thoughtful it even gives back. DHL and famed designer Zac Posen have teamed up this season on a colorful Tote for Teachers. The Italian leather tote is lined with cotton twill and features the signature DHL colors. All proceeds go to TeachersCount, a non-profit striving to elevate the cultural status of teachers and provide better resources to the education community.

Don't you know a mother who deserves some serious luxury in her life? These elbow-length gloves from Malo will make her feel like she's stepped into another era. Exquisitely crafted from the finest buttery-soft leather, the gloves come to fit your hands perfectly and wear incredibly well, keeping her both cozy and sleek through many winters to come. So go ahead: splurge a little. Available at Malo, (212)396-4721.

Still deciding how to decorate your tree this year? Perhaps your collection could use a little something created with extra care. These embroidered ornaments are handcrafted by local artisans employed by World of Good, a fair trade company committed to providing liveable wages and safe working conditions. The company reinvests 10 percent of its profits toward its community development programs.

These exquisite vases by Middle Kingdom have a wonderful story. Part of the "Red Chamber Series," the colored, porcelain treasures were modeled after characters in The Dream of the Red Chamber. The book is a Chinese Romeo-and-Juliet love story that delves in the affairs of a large family. Meanwhile, each little vase has a distinct personality -- perfect as a set, or as single gifts for your friends. Call (202) 338-4910 to order.

The budding carpenter in your family now has a place to work out her skills: the Play Wonder Workbench. The wood construction play piece has a 24-piece accessory set containing all the goodies a quality woodworker needs, including a hammer, wrench, screwdriver, nails, nuts and bolts, and wooden planks. The set even has a working vise, so your curious child can get real experience -- without the fear of hazardous results.

If you're buying for that tween-to-teenage girl set, capitalize on their love of the personal statement with these monogrammed porcelain mugs from Anthropologie. The dainty, decidedly grown-up cups are dishwasher and microwave safe, and each elaborate block-cursive initial has plenty of pretty appeal. They might even inspire some old-fashioned tea parties during the holidays - what a sweet treat!

This gorgeous find could make you the darling of any Secret Santa pool--though depending on how much you like your coworkers, you may be tempted to keep it yourself. Nouvel Studio's Monja Decanter is elegant, unusual, and downright seductive with its graceful line and smoky color. The glass doubles as a lid, making the carafe perfect to leave out on a countertop or by your bedside. But filled with wine at a gathering, it's an instant style-elevator.

Parents beg you to give their child educational, quality products, while every kid just wants something tech-y. This Scholastic Storybook Treasury is the compromise you've been looking for: 100 classic kid-lit tales, all faithfully animated on 16 DVDs. The award-winning books are narrated by celebrity voices, including James Earl Jones, and provide a great way to introduce young ones to tales you yourself loved as a child (like Where the Wild Things Are). And this way, you can actually feel good about gathering around the TV once in a while.

There's something so mysterious about smudged smoldering eyes--especially how to get them. For anyone who's tried at home and ended up looking more raccoon than red carpet, Sephora's Smokey Eyes Brush Set is key. The kit includes all the tools you'll need, including super-soft brushes, a rich, volumizing mascara, and our favorite: a domed smudge-brush, crucial to achieving that haphazardly sexy look. And just in case you're still at a loss, step-by-step illustrated instructions come tucked into the soft silver case.

Baked goods always make excellent gifts, but baked goods that benefit children are even more delicious. Band of Parents is selling delicious cookies (made using recipes from Sally Samspon's new book Cookies), and 100 percent of the proceeds go to the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center to be used exclusively for pediatric cancer research. Why not give a little sweet hope this season? (All orders are baked by volunteers to be shipped before Dec. 17, so order soon.)

These stacking 'Attack of the 50 Foot Baby' blocks will make your tot look as tall as he feels. When assembled, the seven-story skyscraper reaches almost 3 feet high-just the right height to provoke an irresistible urge to topple the structure. Each story is illustrated with bits of narrative genius (look out for the spoiled brat hanging from his chandelier, or the wise-cracking city pigeon). And when he tires of all the building mayhem, he can knock it down at his will.

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We love a nice old-fashioned find from time to time, especially in the nostalgia that surrounds the holidays. Made from supple goatskin, these women's pruning gloves from Smith & Hawken protect your hands in two ways: The wrist closures keep dirt out, and the insides are treated with aloe to keep your palms soft and your manicure intact. Handy, sure-but to the green thumb in your family, truly a lust-worthy gift.