Didn't we all vow back in January that our gift lists would be toast by now? Me neither, so for the next three weeks, expect this column to be crammed with ideas gleaned as I roar through the stores. Next week, a look at gifts for the difficult; the week after that, last-minute suggestions. Today, the spotlight–ta-da–shines on luxury, which, by my definition, can mean quality, quantity, or a downright indulgence that people would never buy for themselves.

Unwrapping a cashmere sweater is like being given a permanent hug. Before you let out a Munchian scream–the price! the price!–prowl thrift-store racks and you may come up lucky. Winners (various locations) usually carries cashmere sweaters, but like all the stock, they're gone in an eye blink. All I can tell you is when I checked the Robson Street location last week, I could have walked away with a luscious black shawl-collared, open-front cardigan; a huge-collared grey sweater with wide three-quarter-length sleeves; or a polo-neck sweater in Christmas red, for $89.99 each. (Prices for basic V-neck styles start at $49.99.) If designer togs are a huge deal to your sister, riffle through Winners' Runway racks for marked-down names like Pink Tartan, Elie Tahari, Nougat, and Theory. Some consignment stores are a reliable source of designer labels. Changes Clothing & Jewellery Bar (4454 West 10th Avenue, 604-222-1505) just sold a Prada sweater for $69, and has like-new Premium jeans for $79 and up, and (for your mom, maybe) a Rodier long grey sweater jacket for $98. If that famous name isn't there, leave yours on the store's "call list" and staff will try to track it down before Christmas.

Often the budget doesn't stretch to appeasing label-lust with a coat or sweater, but do remember that major designer labels come attached to cosmetics too. That Dior name will be visible from halfway across the room when your chum pulls out her Dior Rouge lipstick ($35 at the Bay downtown), packaged in a dark blue box with the name in silver.

A box in robin's-egg blue is synonymous with Tiffany & Co. (723 Burrard Street). Okay, there is that six-figure diamond ring blazing away in a showcase, but the store can also send you away with round bead earrings in sterling silver ($85) that would work with everything from denim to dress-up. Giving a silver chain bracelet this Christmas (prices start at $125) would let you add a different charm each year ($80 and up), which should take care of your gift-giving problems for life. On a practical note, charms are designed so that they can be worn as pendants too.

A luxurious gift can also mean everyday basics in a large quantity. La Senza (various locations) always seems to have five-for-$25 sales on panties, with current possible picks being candy-striped, solid red, pink, black, and grey-and-white striped. Gym princess? Give her multiple pairs of socks. Just about any of your gal pals would thank you for the pretty quartet of lip glosses ($30) at the Body Shop (various locations), which is a double gift due to its sweet leaf-printed tin in shades of plum and pink. Speaking of gifts, "GWP" is cosmetics industry–speak for "gift with purchase", such as the Estée Lauder offer currently on at the Bay. Buy perfume, and an extra $60 gets you a handsome gold bag loaded with lip glosses, lipsticks, 10 eye shadows, and brushes. Hours of fun in front of the mirror for someone.

Extravagant can equal the absolute best of something quite ordinary, such as a high-end nail file or foot file. Don't mock–she'll bless you every time she uses it, and you can always sex it up with some sassy nail polish or a gift certificate for a manicure or pedicure. If she spends a large part of her working day in a dressing gown, buy one that she can safely answer the door in. Jacob (various locations) has a knee-length style in the softest, furriest fleece imaginable, with a hood for extra coziness. A pink that's midway between pastel and hot, cranberry red, or white would be my picks ($45).

Last and most lavish are the downright indulgences, the gifts they don't need but definitely want. Aldo Accessories (various locations) is all a-twinkle with sparkly earrings ($30) in combos of purple and iridescent, amber and crimson, or diamond-look rhinestones. The most retro rich-lady bit of bling? That would be the tiger bracelet in emerald, purple, or black, liberally spattered with eensy jewels ($40). Over at Betsey Johnson (1033 Alberni Street), all jewellery comes in a hot-pink silk pouch tucked in a small matching pink carry bag. Pick the brains of super-helpful staffer Raven for savvy input if you're stuck for ideas. Personally I'd home in on a leopard-print heart on a rhinestone chain ($41.30), or gilt-framed rhinestone earrings ($49) shaped like lightning bolts. You do want your Christmas gifts to be striking, don't you?