OK, growing up, this is how it went down in my family. Because it was a large one (eight kids in all), each of us got one “big” present and one small one. And you know what? Far from being spoiled the rest of the year, I was happy with that. Now I’m not saying I didn’t envy my friend Suzy, who as an adored only child was the recipient of oodles and oodles of presents, or that I wasn’t ready to kick my extremely gregarious sister Debbie in the shins if I had to sit through yet one more show and tell of the endless gifts bestowed upon her by her multitude of friends. But because my parents put forth the effort to give us the one thing we really wanted, I was, for the most part, satisfied with what found its way under the tree. I suppose that’s why today, I’m so frustrated that gift buying can be so overwhelming. That people are often willing to pick up anything just to meet the obligation of handing something over. And don’t even get me started on how impersonal gift cards are, unless of course, they’re intended to introduce someone to the treasures of a favorite local shop you know they’ll love. Look, even if we don’t always manage to carry it off, deep down we know the best gifts, whether costly or cheap, are really those that touch us most right? The ones that carry the message loud and clear, “I care about you and appreciate what you bring to my life.” So on that note … let’s go shopping, shall we?

Oh, but before we do, because the hardest part of having this chat with you each week is the impossibility of including everything available to shoppers at all the fine and interesting independent local retailers around the city, let me just add a quick, short list of shops you’ll always find loaded with a broad selection of gift items and stocking stuffers that you won’t see coming and going. Stores like The Garden Room, Samara Studios, Juxt, Artasia, The Home Market, Embelezar, Fair Trade For All, Blue Lapin, Broadway Paper, Underwood Gallery, Atypic Gallery, Cranston, Hot Pop, Goldi, Authentic Journeys, The Lemon Tree, Future Green, Dragon Fly, The Milwaukee Art Museum Gift Shop and Xenia.

SAVVY STOCKING STUFFERS & GIFTS

ADORN SOMEONE: Truth be told, I am an unabashed fan of the always intriguing and yes, slightly talisman-like handcrafted jewelry offered up by Virgin Saint and Angels. Beautifully inspired by many beliefs and cultures and embracing all sorts of ancient religious iconography, this definitely feminine line appeals to women of all ages and styles. You’ll find a fine selection available exclusively at Five Hearts and Faye’s (which will be holding a VSA event featuring more than 60 pieces from the collection Dec. 13-18 at the Brookfield store and another Dec. 19-24 in at the store’s Mequon location. 153 N. Milwaukee St., 414-727-4622, shopfivehearts.com; 1505 W. Mequon Rd., Mequon, 262-241-8386; 18900 W. Bluemound Rd., Brookfield, 262-432-0070, fayes123.com.

As inspiration to anyone hoping to make a big impression this holiday season, I offer the following: After setting up a complimentary design consultation with Amy Shallow at A Trio Jewelry Design, one loving husband gifted her with this splendid, custom-designed 14k gold, Tahitian Pearl and diamond ring, which can also be worn as a pendant. How big did it go over? Real big. But custom design isn’t the shop’s only option. There’s also the lovely Trio ready-to-wear collection as well as lots of new pieces from local artisans such as London Blue, Shari Sadek Designs, Pamela Jean Designs and Bountiful Beads on Black Friday. 215 ½ N. Water St., 414-431-7112, atriojewelry.com.

Just in time for the holidays, Element’s East is awash with gorgeous pearls of all sorts. So if the heart of someone you love goes pitter-patter for freshwater, South Sea, coin or seashell pearls, look for them right here in a lovely array of colors ranging from creamy white, silver gray, chocolate to black. Seriously, this glorious selection of earrings, bracelets and necklaces covering all styles from classic Jackie O elegance to contemporary fun and funky is being offered at such incredible pricing ($19.99-$350) that you better buy quick before they’re gone. 109 E. Silver Spring Dr., 414-332-3530, elementseast.com.

HOMETOWN PRIDE: For this year’s limited edition annual Holiday Lights Festival Ornament, Milwaukee Downtown commissioned a local artist to sculpt an image of the venerable Cudahy Tower (a place I fondly remember going to as a child to visit my great grandfather). Cast in pewter, it’s an apt gift for any current or past city resident and is available at store.milwaukeeholidaylights.com ($19.95 each) right along with a limited number of past ornaments ($24.95 each) paying homage to the Milwaukee Federal Building and U.S. Courthouse, Milwaukee County Historical Society, Northwestern Mutual, Central Library, Downtown Trolley, City Hall, Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist, Milwaukee Art Museum and Pabst Theater. For more gift items giving a shout out to the ol’ hometown, visit George Watts & Son where you’ll find everything from umbrellas colorfully flaunting the lakeside skyline to lovely silk scarves hand printed with a map of our fair city. 761 N. Jefferson St., 414-290-5700, georgewatts.com.

NEVER UNDERESTIMATE THE APPEAL OF BASICS: Especially when they’re timeless and well made. Like the Left Coast T-shirts available at Mark Pasch Ltd. Finely fashioned in a sophisticated color palette from handpicked Peruvian pima cotton and available in a variety of styles for both men and women, not only do they fit seamlessly into casual to business wardrobes, but they also travel beautifully. Or head to SHOP for soft, form-fitting casual basic tees from Milwaukee’s own NEWD (Nothing Else Will Do), which are really anything but. 333W. Brown Deer Rd., 414-351-5634, markpaschlimited.com; 1918 E. Capitol Dr., Shorewood; 755 N. Milwaukee St., 414-962-4030, shop53211.com.

BESTOW A BADGE (OR TWO OR THREE): I gotta admit, I’m crazee for embroidered ‘Demerit’ badges offering a clever twist on classic Boy Scout Merit Badges. The badges featuring refreshingly clever graphics (you may remember seeing the ‘Shopaholic badge’ topping this column not so long ago) celebrate the interests and irritations of contemporary life. With a choice of about 200, you’re bound to find something to bring a smile to the face of just about everyone you know no matter if they’re into sports, fishing, camping, food, wine, college life, gambling, chocolate or just about anything else. Purchase on their own ($3.95 each) to embellish and personalize just about anything you can think of or have them fashioned into customized shirts, hats, aprons, and greeting cards, even pet handkerchiefs at Demeritwear.com. P.S. They also make great gift tags.

WEATHERPROOF WEAR: Wisconsin-based Duluth Trading Co. recently expanded its line of functional yet fashionable clothing designed with a variety of features tested by real women for comfort and practicality like their Shoreline Fleece Ponytail Hat with convenient slot for pulling ponytails through while protecting head and ears in fierce winter weather. On a side note (hint, hint…) I’m rather partial to the company’s Lifetime Leather Tote ($129.50). Constructed of the sort of top grade oiled leather meant to soften to a beautifully rich patina with age, it’s a definite classic. Duluthtrading.com.

GIVE & GET BEAUTIFUL: Sure you’ll find lots of terrific and stylish gifts and stocking stuffers at Blush like DuWop’s Private Lipstick Trio ($19) containing three travel size tubes of red, plum and nude lipsticks perfect for customizing uniquely personal shades for you and you alone. But better yet, the store steps up during the holiday season by becoming the donation point for a slew of charitable causes. As a reward for dropping off toys (for all ages), winter wear for kids and teens, art supplies, maternity clothing or baby supplies to be distributed by Meta House, (metahouse.org), shoppers receive a Duchess Marden bag filled with deluxe size goodies. Bring in two items and you’ll also get a $5 gift card. 249 N. Water St., 414-272-1718, blushmilwaukee.com.

GO WHOLE HOG FOR HARLEY: Seriously, where else but at the Harley-Davidson Museum Store are you gonna find a whole slew of gifts for motorcycle enthusiasts of all ages and tastes designed to celebrate the company and the bikes that made it world famous? From snow globes containing a miniature replica of the museum’s courtyard statute ($24), 550-piece puzzles featuring the original HD motorcycle ($10.50), replicas of leather handbags ($50) worn by women motorcycle club members of the 1950s, soft leather jackets ($475) featuring an embossed “Serial #1” inlay, leather journals ($35) for logging trip details to a beautiful coffee table book ($40) tracing the history of the renowned museum, you’ll find it here.

SHOP FOR SOMETHING SASSY: If the Beatles were right and in the end, the love you take is equal to the love you make, why not shop for sexy sensual stocking stuffers of all sorts and all prices for all tastes at A Woman’s Touch. Try Luxury Lotion Massage Candles ($19.95) that not only set the mood with their soft glow but also burn at a low temperature to actually render a warm massage oil rich with fruit seed butters that nourish and moisturize dry winter skin. Or head over to The Tool Shed where you better believe there’s something to tease everyone – heck, even pet cats are catered to with Giddy Kitty Ding Dongs stuffed with catnip ($8 each). 200 N. Jefferson St., 414-221-0400, awomanstouchonline.com; 2427 N. Murray Ave., 414-906-5304, toolshedtoys.com.

TYING IT ALL UP: Hey, did you know working with German machinery from the 1920s, Cream City Ribbon is the only manufacturer that makes and dyes entirely natural cotton non-woven ribbon in the country? Shop the factory “outlet shop” (M-F 10:30 a.m.-3 p.m.) for Holiday Kits of six coordinating 10 yard x 1/2” spools of ribbon ($19.95), 10-yard spools of solid color and uniquely printed ribbon ($5 each or six for $25) and lots of premade bows (25 for $5). Or conveniently stock up on all you’ll need for seasonal wrapping by ordering online where you’ll find lots of clear technique and project instructions for turning this very special ribbon into garlands, ornaments, holiday cards and festive place settings. 430 W. Vliet St., 414-277-1221, creamcityribbon.com.

CHECK OUT

Dec. 11 (10 a.m.-3 p.m.) at the Milwaukee German Immersion School Weihnachtsmarkt: Enjoy a traditional Christmas market craft bazaar featuring 100 vendors and artists, homemade chili, delicious baked goods, German publications, photo opts with a traditional Austrian St. Nikolaus and a prize raffle. Admission free. 3778 North 82nd St., 414-393-5600.

Now at George Watts & Son: As the store winnows down its fine tabletop offerings to concentrate on more giftware in the coming new year, save up to 40 percent on fine lines such as Denby Stoneware, Port Merion China, Poc a Poc hand-painted porcelain, Spode and Haviland china, Umbra giftware, LSA glassware and Val Saint Lambert crystal and Bottega Del Vino wine glasses during the Holiday House Cleaning Sale. 761 N. Jefferson St., 414-290-5700, georgewatts.com.

Now at Luci: Deals, deals and more deals. Recently restocked for the holidays, the store’s Rockin’ Sale translates to both savings and a free gift certificate with purchase. Donate a prom dress in good condition to the Cinderella Project and save 25 percent on the purchase of any new dress. Buy a gift card and get a second for free. Mention this column and the boutique will snip 20 percent off your purchase. And if that isn’t enough, simply by signing up to become a V.I.P. member on their new onehotdress.com website you could end up winning a free dress. Partnered with Jenny McCarthy’s Generation Rescue, the website (which goes live in June 2011) will donate $1 of every sale to autism charity. 532 N. Water St., 414-226-0114, luciboutique.com.

Now at LUSH: Available in two sizes ($5 & $20.95) as well as tucked it into the My Fair Lady luxurious gift box ($59.95) Charity Pots not only offer up the benefits of a soothing hand and body lotion made from Fair Trade organic cocoa butter delicately scented with geranium essential oil, they also contribute to environmental, animal and humanitarian issues thanks to the donation of all proceeds (sans tax of course) to grassroots charities the world over. Mayfair, 2500 N. Mayfair Rd., 414-443-1177, lushusa.com.