I love the winter holidays. Hot chocolate, catching up with family, ugly sweater parties, and the smell of pine trees.

If you're like me, you may be trying to get a semi-early start on the Christmas shopping for your girlfriends. Should you be on the hunt for some inspiration, here are some of my favorite items and gift ideas.

MUJI's Touchscreen Gloves (Unisex): These winter gloves come in eight colors, and feature a special conductive material on the thumb and forefinger, allowing wearers access to touchscreen technology -- perfect for the tech-happy friend in your life who can't seem to let go of her mobile device or tablet. 

Small crystal encrusted oval cup pendant necklace by Alexis Bittar: If you're in Vancouver, you can find a number of Alexis Bittar's pieces at Blue Ruby. This one is my personal favorite - beautifully crafted and easily transferable from day to night.

Sugar Lip Treatment SPF 15 by Fresh: My best friend first introduced me to this lip treatment a few years ago, and I've been using it since. The antioxidant grape seed polyphenols and vitamins A, C & E provide extra protection and moisture - great for winter. I love giving these as stocking stuffers.

Night Food by Ego-Wrappin': As far as I'm concerned, this Japanese band can do no wrong. My brother Kentaro first gave me this particular album as a gift many years ago, and it's remained one of my all-time favorites. Night Food will make an especially great gift for friends who like jazz.

Michael Kors Quinn Clutch in Kiwi: I love the clean, modern lines of this clutch. The contrast of the soft vachetta leather goes well against the gold clasp, and the fresh color makes this easily wearable year-round.

Kate Spade Charm Magazine iPhone 4 Case: The Kate Spade line has done a fantastic job keeping up with tech accessories, and I am a huge fan of their hard iPhone cases. Not only are they durable for klutzes like me, they also come in an array of charming patterns and hand-drawn illustrations.

Tonari No Totoro (My Neighbor Totoro): Written and directed by Hayao Miyazaki, this 1988 antimated film is a beautifully illustrated, fantastical story about a family in postwar rural Japan. This will make a wonderful gift for your friends who have children -- or any film buff, really.

Acqua Di Giò eau de toilette: Gifting perfume can be tricky, but this Giorgio Armani fragerance is wonderful if you're shopping for a beauty minimalist. Acqua Di Giò blends fresh notes of melon, pear, hyacinth and sandalwood - perfect for summer, but great year-round.

Happy Shopping!