Our holiday gift guide!!!
The shopping list can get overwhelming. Mom. Dad. Kids. Clergy. Cousins. In-laws in Borneo. We understand the pain of buying holiday presents for a small army. So this week, the Deal Divas are doing the work for you. We have ideas for everyone on your list and every budget. So check back often! We'll post new gift guides each morning and afternoon.
Let's start with the dreaded boss gift.
You love her; you hate him. In gifting a boss, you ride a fine line between scoring brownie points and picking anything that could end up in your annual review. Some fool-proof ideas:
Cheap ($20 or less): Home-made sweets scream thoughtful, but not every boss appreciates your inner Betty Crocker. I once found a bourbon pecan pie that I made for an editor under his desk two months after Christmas. Avoid hurt feelings with pretty, packaged sweets from a local bakery — perfect for re-gifting, if someone’s on a diet. Try Alessi’s 1-pound assortment of Italian cookies for $12.95 (a pretty bow sits on top) or a festive fruitcake for $7.85. Alessi Bakery, 2909 W Cypress Street, Tampa, (813) 879-4544.
Feelin' love ($20 to $50): There’s one gift that managers, especially the mid-level kind, truly enjoy: Booze. If your boss has a good sense of humor, try The Prisoner, a 2009 Saldo Zinfandel from Orin Swift Cellars in California, available for $29.99 at Wine Design in Tampa. But a word of caution: if your boss doesn’t like to laugh, or you’ve never seen her imbibe, play it safe with gourmet coffees or teas. Wine Design, 615 Channelside Drive, Tampa, (813) 223-3449.
Mad money ($50-plus): It’s hard to imagine a scenario in which you should spend so much money on a supervisor, unless you’re disgustingly well compensated, in which case your boss earns even more and still won’t be impressed. Take the high road and make a donation in their name (amount undisclosed, of course) to a charity close to their heart or the company’s. Check justgive.org to find a database of nearly 1.5 million charities. You can donate securely, or purchase a GiveNow gift card and let your boss decide.
Deal Diva Letitia
(Photo: Alessi's 1-pound assortment of Italian cookies, $12.95.)
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Katie Sanders foolishly spurned pretty dresses and shoes as a child, tossing new clothes over her shoulder at birthday parties with a totally rude "no, thank you." Her drab days of monocolor outfits are over now, and she certainly knows better than to turn down free stuff. Her wardrobe mixes classic with quirk. Think blazers with statement necklaces, and lots of patterned ballet flats. She can be reached at 850) 224-7263 or 
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A disciple of the little black dress classics school, Letitia Stein stretches her budget by looking for styles with staying power. She lives for 80 percent off shoes at DSW, floral sundresses and bohemian chic tops. She confesses to being a bit of a snob when it comes to handbags and jewelry. She can be reached at (813) 226-3400 or 
From camo pants and construction boots to sundresses, sweaters and sling backs, Keyonna Summers knows how to make all of it rock -- at rock bottom prices. A Detroit native, Keyonna delves into her urban roots to find fashion pairings that give a nod to street fashion while maintaining the class of the modern, professional woman. She believes in searching for affordable clothes that look expensive and can easily be dressed up or down. You won't find plaid shirts or fleece jackets in her closet; the only hiking Keyonna does is to the bargain basement. She can be reached at (727) 445-4153 or 
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