A: Is for artistic genius

Gift #16 is a gas and one of the most delightful show to hit Broadway in years.

#16 SHREK THE MUSICAL: From the moment that Julie Andrews tells you to turn off your cell phones to the cast singing "Let your Freak Hang Out" you are in for a love affair with musical theatre. Shrek reminds us of why we fall in love with musicals. The book by William Steig and book and lyrics by David Lindsay Abaire is funny, touching and better than the movie. After seeing the show I asked the kids who where there what they thought and they all agreed, they wanted to see more shows and they wanted to see Shrek again. That is the kind of recommendations that theatre needs to survive, I personally want to see Shrek again because I missed some of the lines because I was laughing so hard. This show is irreverent and makes fun of everything. There are lots of insider theatre jokes, fairy tale jokes, nursery rhyme jokes, bodily function jokes and the list goes on. The choreography by Josh Prince is innovative and clever. I especially like the tap dancing rats. Jeanine Tesori's music is catchy thought it took me a couple of songs to get into it, but I found myself singing "Morning Person" two days later. I especially liked her dance music and the orchestrations and incidental music by Tim Weil will have you unable to sit still and dancing in you seat. Jason Moore's direction keeps this fast paced without losing the heart of the show. Their were several times when this show was so touching I choked up. The sets and costumes, lighting and illusions are done to perfection and created the perfect world in which to become absorbed in. Then there is the cast: Brian D'Arcy James far surpasses his costume and is so believable you want to jump up onto the stage and comfort him. His vocals have a powerhouse quality yet the emotionality of what is being portrayed comes through and he is Shrek, that lovable green ogre we all fell in love with. He is in a word endearing. Sutton Foster as Princess Fiona is a triple threat and we feel for her and relate to all her quirkiness. Daniel Breaker as the donkey, has never seen the film which is amazing considering he is better than Eddie Murphy. This donkey is one part singer ala Stevie Wonder, one part Little Richard and all utterly fabulous. Christopher Sieber has the scene stealing role and he embodies Lord Farquaad on his knees with a flip of his hair and completely self absorbed. Do I hear Tony or should I say Tony's? The ensemble is one of the best ever cast. There is not one who doesn't stand out in one way or another. Shrek the musical has heart, it is a musical for our time and that is a show stopping F.A.C.T.

F: is for Sustainable Fashion

Sustainable style is hot on the global fashion circuit so it is gifts #14 and 15 on my list.

Gifts 14 and 15: Ekovaruhuset: (Swedish for ‘The House of Organic’). Featured on the GREEN issue of Harper’s Bazaar Japan, Ekovaruhuset, is an eco-boutique founded by Johanna Hofring. First opening in Stockholm in 2004 to bring one-of-a-kind, hand-made eco-creations to Sweden. The second boutique opened up in NYC last year and has quickly become a local haunt. Ekovaruhuset carries a few brands, like eco-sneaker favorite Veja, but stocks the shop mostly with their own designs crafted from a collective of select designers. Creating looks that reflect their own style while also maintaining a cohesive aesthetic overall. Their designs include a beautifully draped tweed jacket with cut-outs and sexy, crocheted numbers, bikinis and wedding dress. If Ekovaruhuset continues to successfully walk the line between the fashion-forward design we crave and practical wearability we need, they will become the brand eco-fashionistas seek out. Green fashion seems to be infiltrating the mainstream channels. The July GREEN issue of Harper’s Bazaar Japan features Meiling Chen and Amy Mohlenhoff the co designers for Ekovaruhuset. Meiling’s hand-dyed violet, custom-made organic cotton dress is featured on the cover of Harper’s GREEN issue. It’s a resourceful artist’s take on sculpted draping with a personal and organic approach to the creative design process. “I do not use a pattern, so every dress that I create has its own unique shape. I personally mix the (environmentally friendly) dyes and water proportions (regulating the temperature, time control, etc.) according to the color and tone that I envision. There are no two pieces from my collections that look exactly the same. Each piece has it’s own unique ‘life history’. It is like a free-hand drawing or sculpture. Mohlenhoff's aesthetic and spirit is eveident with her organic cotton and bamboo jersey dresses. Delicately accessorized with a belt and straps made from silk and hemp charmeuse as well as buttons and a buckle made from natural mother of pearl shell. It seems ‘green is the new black’, the House of Organic is built on a foundation of sexy and intelligently crafted clothing and accessories that continues to have a devoted following on both local and distant shores.

Why is it gifts 14 and 15? Because you need more than one.

Fashion no longer has to hurt the earth and that is a F.A.C.T.

S: Is for Skin so Soft

Winter is the season for dry skin and cracked hands. Gift #12 and 13 are from the dead sea. Not only will it make your skin soft but ladies, according to Cosmopolitan will make us more desirable to our mates. That to me, makes this two gifts in one.

Gift #12 and #13: NIO-Made to Love: The Dead Sea is a geological phenomenon located in Israel, its waters are known for being a Fountain of Youth. At 400 meters below sea level, the Dead Sea is not only the world’s lowest natural body, but is one of the saltiest. Being 8.6 times saltier than the ocean, the Dead Sea contains the highest levels of silica, magnesium, calcium, sodium, and potassium of any body of water in the world. These high concentrations of nutrients and minerals are increasingly being tapped by skin care companies to deliver products that can enhance the health and condition of the skin.

The combination of highly concentrated minerals makes the Dead Sea Salts excellent at detoxifying and exfoliating the skin, along with deeply cleansing the pores. These salts also strengthen and firm skin tissue, while stimulating blood circulation. Dead Sea Salts essentially peel off dead skin cells to stimulate collagen renewal. In addition, they provide balance to your skin, and sustain balanced water and moisture levels.

Today, several dead sea salts skin care brands have channeled the healing powers of the Dead Sea into skin care products. but Nio Dead Sea Body Scrub made my hands soft as a babies butt.. The Nio scrub combines the Dead Sea’s healing abilities with common nourishing oils, such as jojoba oil, wheat germ oil, olive oil, sesame oil, and avocado oil. These oils interact well with the Dead Sea Salts, as they provide additional wrinkle-reducing, pH-balancing anti-aging properties.

The NIO serum is perfect for revitalizing aging skin with the same results as the scrub. Soft, kissable, caressable skin of our youth.

To try and buy this go to the Christmas Mart at Columbus Circle booth C26 and at Union Square booth C24. You can also log onto www.NIO-madewithlove.com. Once you try this you to will be singing its praises and that is a F.A.C.T.

T: Is for brilliance in the theatre

There is nothing like a live performance. Seeing brilliance illuminated on stage is breath taking. Gift #11 is the gift of theatre.

#9: The Seagull: Kristin Scott Thomas's performance is a Tony Award wining performance. She is my prediction for the 2009 Best Actress in a play. She has already won the Oliver in London. The Royal Court Theatre production at the Walter Kerr Theatre is... exquisite. This all-too-limited run leaves Dec. 21. If you're near Manhattan between now and then, beg, borrow, or steal tickets. In this production it is the actresses, which eclipse the men’s performances and lead us down a vivid path of psychological study. Under the direction of Ian Rickson, nothing is rushed so the emotions that lead up to the second act are thoroughly set-up. Kristen Scott Thomas, as the actress Arkadina, gives this self-involved diva the selfishness that demands applause. Pacing like a cheetah she is ready to rip apart anyone who doesn’t cater to her narcism. In Thomas’s performance we see the anger, the guilt and the actress afraid to lose her place at the top, no matter what it costs.

C: Is for Cosmetic Stocking Stuffers

The stocking were hung by the chimney with care and dumped on to the floor in hope of some flare. Gift # 9 satisfies and truly deliver. There are 6 in all and each one is effective if not down right essential.

Gift # 9: GENIE MAKE-Up. Instant Line Smoother ($30), combines powerful ingredients like Aloe, collagen, peptides, antioxidants and an exclusive T-One complex to help reduce the signs of aging and restore one's natural beauty.

GENIE Line Smoothing Foundation ($40), contains light-refracting particles that help deflect light away from fine lines and wrinkles, which adds to a noticeably younger appearance.

GENIE Vibrant Eyes Concealer Pen($30) reduces dark circles by 28%!

Make Me Blush ($20), only comes in one color. The mineral-based formula does not contain shimmer, glitter or gloss so it really is a multi-purpose make-up great for your purse for this emergency touch-ups.

TLC mascara ($20), is a dual-ended mascara designed to add volume, thickness and length to your top lashes with a smaller brush to give color and definition to the lower lashes.

I have saved GENIE's Cashmere Powder ($38) for last, as it is my favorite product. This radiant powder goes on silky and feels sooooo good on. With a slight shimmer it adds a subtle luminescent, that has you looking radiant. I had several people ask me this week if I was in love. The answer is NO! but if people are asking I know this product is working.

They say beauty is skin deep which is true, but isn't it nice to know it can also be up-front and a F.A.C.T. and with Genie it is.

A: Is for the gift that keeps on giving

Art is great gift idea for many reasons. It never loses it's value, it gives joy everyday and it connects us to another's vision.

Gift #9: Is the art of Sherry Mills. Sherry is a renaissance artist. She began her foundation in drawing and oil painting. A year in Europe found her with a master marble sculptor in Pietrasanta, Italy, which she followed with a six-month apprenticeship with a renowned Venetian leather mask maker, who was one of the last true Commedia dell’Arte street performers. His unique trade became her daily life as she joined him in taking Carnivale by storm. Her work in clay sculpture together with leather originated a leather sculpture bag. Since moving to New York 1999, her studies have taken the form of improvisational theatre, Bel Canto voice, and a unique form of dance performed in the basement of St. John’s cathedral. It has been her passion for capturing “street paintings” with the camera that has dominated her focus. Now integrating this work with her poetry, she’s formulated a species of performance that brings the photography to life in time with an intensely visual sung dialogue. Performing in venues throughout the city this year, Sherry is someone to watch and watch closely. To see more of her art log onto www.sherrymills.com. All her photographs are unadulterated moments of the splatters and mishaps that breathe like paintings from the street. Our world is only as wondrous if we choose it to be and that is a wondrous F.A.C.T.

F: Is for Guilty Pleasures

With all that shopping and stress that comes with the holidays, gift number 8 caters to soothing you from the inside out. It also combines one of my guilty pleasure, Top Chef.

#8: 24 Prince Street is nestled between Mott & Elizabeth in NoLita and oozes comfort from the moment you open the door. Managed by Brad Grossman, Chris Heller and one of the next contestants of Top Chef Chicago Chef Nikki Cascone. On the menu is macaroni and cheese. I can not say enough about the Mac and Cheese. I became ruined for life the day I tasted this version. I seriously wanted to pick the bowl up and lick. Decadent with Orecchiette pasta which is perfect for holding the sauce which is done to perfection. If that wasn't reason enough try the coconut creme brulee, sugar coated to perfection. I know, I know tis the season for calories, but these babies are worth it. Check out the rest of the menu at www.24prince.com This is a restaurant you definitely should check out for lunch, brunch and dinner. You will not be disappointed and that is a F.A.C.T.