Men, start your engines. This season is all about a return to luxury. From exotic skin handbags and glorious prints from the runway to Athena Procopiou’s amazing scarves, the woman in your life is going to be stylish and chic in an instant. Toss in some glitter with our favorite baubles and you’ll have her singing Deck the Halls. Ilena Makri is a fave. Don't miss her store, Mageia, in the fab Kolonaki district in Athens!

As Greek America Magazine’s Lifestyle Editor, Andria Mitsakos oversees the Agora section of the maga-zine. From emerging trends in fashion, beauty, travel and film, she delivers a diverse cultural collage of all that is happening around the Greek American world and beyond. Follow her on Twitter @wanderlista or visit her blog at wanderlista.com.

L I F E S T Y L E

HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE 2011What a difference a year makes! It’s hard to believe the holidays are among us already, but don’t fret – we’ve spent the past year combing the globe to make your shopping easy this season with the best for everyone on your list. Greek America magazine has curated what Santa has not—perfect gifts For Her, For Him, For the Host, For the Wanderlista and a slew of stocking stuffers too, and each with a distinctly Greek twist.

Lifestyle Editor Andria Mitsakos in Greece on the Harmony G by Variety Cruises conducting her research for this year’s annual gift guide. Photo credit: Peter Wesley Brown

HerFOR

MARY KATRANTZOU FALL 2011 COLLECTIONavailable at Neiman Marcus

ILEANA MAKRISnake Earring Pave, approximately $1,149, available at Barneys New York

ILEANA MAKRIFatima Eye Hand, approxi-mately $2,368, available at Barneys New York

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DEA ROSAAngkor Cashmere and Ostrich Clutch Shown in Charcoal and Campari, $750

Dea Rosa Carpiano Grande Shown in Charcoal Cashmere and Jade Python, $1,350, available at dearosa.com

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ELENA SYRAKA18k i-Dentity yellow gold leaf necklace with white diamonds in centre with 18k gold chain, approximately $3,200, available at elenasyraka.com

ATHENA PROCOPIOU SCARF$425, available at barneys.com

LIANA VOURAKISTourmaline Earrings with yellow gold and diamonds, approximately $12,520, Diamond and Yellow Gold Ring, approximately $8,826, available at lianavourakis.com

KORRES YOGHURT REGIMEN KIT$45, available at sephora.com

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Shopping for men shouldn’t be so difficult, but we all know it isn’t an easy task. That’s why we’ve put together a hit list for him that includes perfect tokens that evoke the confidence and sensibility of the male psyche: cool and simple. John Varvatos is our edgy, rock-star choice for the man on the move. Artwork is also a great gift as it’s always timely and relevant, especially when it is gorgeous photos of the Greek islands, each encapsu-lating the magic of summer in the Aegean.

HimFOR

JOHN VARVATOS CLASSIC FRAGRANCE$58, available at johnvarvatos.com

DEA ROSA MEN’S PYTHON WALLET$350, available at dearosa.com

JOHN VARVATOS SUEDE LACELESS CHUCK TAYLOR$100, available at johnvarvatos.com

KONSTANTINO CUFFLINKS$650 per pair, Handcrafted Onyx and Sterling Silver Lion Cufflinks by Konstantino, available at konstantino.com

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PETER WESLEY BROWN GREECE PRINTS FROM THE MAISTROS COLLECTION$500 for 24" x 36" print, visit peterwesleybrown.com

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Holiday party and what do you bring the host? Food and home fragrance are always great go-to-gifts (we’re presently obsessed with Anthousa which just opened a store in Seattle). We also love the Cartoules letterpress note cards, and a recent lust-after sweet are Georgetown Cupcakes. It’s great to be a hostess!

HostFOR THE

VOSGES HOLIDAY GIFT BOX$86, available at vosgeschocolate.com

SOAP WITH CHIOS MASTIHA & HONEY$8.40, available at mastihashopny.com

ELENI’S COOKIES Surfing Santa and Surfing Reindeer Gift Box, $19.50, available at elenis.com

EDWARD MARC THE PEARL TOWER$65, available at edwardmarc.com

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KONTOULIS PREMIUM GREEK EXTRA VIRGIN OLIVE OIL$25, available at kontoulisfamily.com/products.htm

GEORGETOWN CUPCAKES$29 per dozen plus shipping, available at georgetowncupcake.com

ANTHOUSAAqua Verbena Home Ambiance in Grand (16.9 fl.oz.), $90, Aqua Verbena Home Ambiance Candle, $30, available at anthousacollection.com

CARTOULES PRESSXronia Polla Vasilopita (Many Years in Greek) - Set of 6 Letterpress Holiday Cards, $18, available at cartoulespress.etsy.com

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Embracing the art of travel through culture and style. That’s the definition of a Wanderlista. We all go back to Greece every year, but it’s really that feeling of a true sense of place that makes

the difference. What we experience and what we take away. Variety Cruises gives a great, insider view to all the small islands while not forgetting the staples ports of call we all grew up loving.

WanderlistaFOR THE

DEA ROSA EYE MASK SHOWN IN GREY PYTHON$425, available at dearosa.com

DEA ROSA LUGGAGE TAGS$150-200, available at dearosa.com

SANTORINI AIGILOS HOTELaigialos.gr

VARIETY CRUISESvarietycruises.com

MR & MRS SMITH MEMBERSHIPstarts at $35, available at mrandmrssmith.com/us

MYKONOS GRACE HOTELmykonosgrace.com

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KIVOTOS MYKONOSKivotos Hotel Mykonos embraces the magic of this ultimate summer holiday destination. The shimmering light of the Aegean is portrayed perfectly, while accommodations, amenities and service are unparalleled. kivotosclubhotel.com

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Don’t forget the stockings! Some of the most cherished gifts could be in there. Surprise with

something gorgeous from Elle Amber. Post-holiday stress is eased with indulgent beauty treatments

like the Apivita express masks.

Stocking Stuffers

ELLE AMBERBe Charmed Collection Pendant Necklaces, Rose Gold and Black Diamonds, Small approximately $2,089, Large approximately $2,647, available at elleamber.com

KORRES LIP BUTTER TRIO$24.50, available at korresusa.com

APIVITA EXPRESS MASKS$6, available at patriciafield.com

IOMOI PENCILS Shown in white and gold maze pattern, $15, available at iomoi.stores.yahoo.net

AROMATIC OLIVE OIL SOAP WITH CHIOS MASTIHA$9.85, available at mastihashopny.com

ELLE AMBERGreek Collection Ring, Handmade 18K Gold, approximately $25,078, available at elleamber.com