For those about to rock--or maybe in another decade or so--we salute you. Our picks for the future generation of headbangers help keep the favorite tots in your life the coolest ones on the block.

$ personalized rock star coloring book Include black crayons. $6.95 at Frecklebox

$$ rebel tee Go on, eat dessert first. $39 at Childish

$$$ harley davidson rocking "horse" This one actually rocks. $175 at Psychobaby

For the Future Tree Hugger

These days, it seems like kids know more than we do about organics and recycling and all that fun earth-saving stuff. Here are some of our favorites to help get them excited - or keep them excited. (Now forgive us if you have that "children are our future" song lyric stuck in your head.)

$ my first organics growing kits Mmmm...vegetables. $16 at Surf City Growers

$$ earth-friendly nature bag For the real science kids. $34.95 at stubby pencil studio

$$$ furnished green dollhouse Complete with solar panels + recycling bins. $199 at KangarooBoo

We're all about personalized gifts to commemorate a big first holiday, which help turn regular presents into lifelong keepsakes. Skip the "My First Christmas" onesie and instead invest in something that won't be so easily outgrown.

$ christmas abc book With a personal inscription of course. $9 at Spoon Sisters

$$ personalized sock monkey Not just for kids either. $32 from clarity miller

$$$ customized handmade kata golda stocking Be still our hearts. $119 at Arte Bebe

Whether you're looking for eight gifts or just one really special one, here are some sweet ideas for babies too young to be gnawing on the chocolate gelt.

$ hanukkah: a counting book The nicest one we've seen. $5.99 at Emily Sper

$$$ baby bracelet with hebrew name charm By special order $28 at sima g

$$$ heirloom tzedakah box Charity starts with linden wood. $74 at chasing fireflies

For the Vehicle-Obsessed Toddler

If you've got a transportation junkie on your hands, these eco-friendly vehicles are all sure to secure Most Favored Toy status.

$ sprig toys eco loader Tough like plastic, but partially wood. $15 at Wild Dill

$$ organic wood driving set Cars AND bridges! $26 at Our Greenhouse

$$$ collectible off-road Fagus vehicle Not a screw or a nail. $101 at The Wooden Wagon

For the Perfect Grandparents, From the Perfect Kids

If you're fortunate enough to have those super-awesome grandparent-of-the-year kind of parents, this is a great opportunity to find a wildly sentimental gift from the kids to thank them for all they've done for them this year. And yes, for all they'll do for them next year. Or so you hope.

$ custom photo bookmark Add The Grandparent's Handbook. $10 at TV Tray Art

$$ hand embroidered hand prints What's not to love? $58 at Tiny Sprouts

$$$ custom artwork from a favorite photo By a real artist, not a computer. $350+ at Kiki and Polly

For the Stay-at-Home Dad Who's Earned a Little Time to Himself

All hail the stay at home dad! Any parent who stays home deserves some extra adult-only time around the holidays. Make sure to grab a sitter and get a night to yourselves too.

$ gamefly membership The gift that keeps on taking. $15.95+ at Gamefly

$$ mad men on dvd Borrow it when he's done. $31.99 at Amazon

$$$ dream adventure trip Race cars? Sharks? $125+ from Discovery Experiences

For the Gracious Holiday Hostess (After All, She Invited You)

Whether you're headed to a tree-trimming party or a full weekend visit, skip the cut flowers and grab an Amaryllis, a lucky bamboo, or a little something special just for her.

$ pop out ornaments from melissa borrell Grab extras, trust us. $9.99 at elsewares

$$ tea infused truffles A good reason to stay 'til dessert. $30 from Charles Chocolates

$$$ baby alpaca throw Guarantees an invitation next year too. $110 at Peek Keep

For Your Twilight-Infatuated Niece

2009 certainly seems to be the year that Twilight took over the world and ate our brains. If you've got a tween smitten over the series (or an adult friend willing to admit it) hook her up, and be the coolest auntie on the planet.

$ team edward rubber stamp Team Edward! $8 at Dragonfly Curls

$$ twilight scene it "Not for children under 3." Duh. $28.85 at Amazon

$$$ sterling vampire fangs necklace Add twilight journals. $36 at Under Her Charm

For Your Tween Nephew Who's Hipper Than You'll Ever Hope to Be

When he's outgrown Bionicles but isn't quite old enough for cufflinks, think skateboarding culture. There's no hip tween boy who doesn't secretly wish he were Tony Hawk.

$ poketo wallet Indie-licious! $20 at Poketo

$$ skater hoodie From his rad aunt. $36.25 at Juvie Shop

$$$ new whiplash scooter And maybe a helmet too. $79.99 + from Street Surfing

For the Effortless Eco-Fashionista

For goodness sake, don't call her "crunchy." This is the woman not afraid to wear her values--and her phenomenal taste--on her sleeve. Or her lapel. Or wherever it seems to be in this season.

$ natural angora gloves Equal parts fair trade and fuzzy. $12 at Celery Street

$$ fair trade organic clutch Supports mothers in Peru. $40 at The Green Loop

$$$ bamboo sunglasses Go incognito at the greenmarket. $253 at Inhabitat Shop

For the Geek Who Makes it Chic

A big hearty shout-out here to our sisters in social media land, the ones who wake up checking Tweetdeck and fall asleep with the Kindle. It's true, the geeks shall inherit the earth. Or at least some really cool gifts this year.

$ kirtsy takes a bow Not just because we're in it. $19 at Amazon

$$ custom twitter necklaces #soawesome. $49.95+ at Survival of the Hippest

$$$ eco-friendly laptop tote 8 colors, one cooler than the next. $143 at urban junket

For the Serious Foodie

When you say "pass the salt" and the answer is "which one?" you've got a foodie on your hands. You can always pick up a fabulous wine or a gift certificate for the local restaurant with the killer wait list. Just avoid fruitcake at any cost.

$ exotic jam trio Pineapple-zucchini-tangerine. Not together. $11.50 at sunchowder jams

$$ gourmet today Gourmet lives on, here. $23.40 at amazon

$$$ cooking class and wine paring at las ventanas Airfare and hotel extra. $110 at Las Ventanas

For the RISD Class of 2026

Art or craft supplies are always a fabulous gift for kids of any age, whether they're a future Whitney Biennial star or not. Throw in an annual membership to a kid-friendly local museum.

$ paint palate Just keep it off the walls? $12 at the moma store

$$ long-sleeved art smock The best ones we've seen. $35 from Petite Violette

$$$ ecotots wooden easel Beret not included. $159.99 at Moolka

For the Future Food Network Star

Hopefully the adventures in a play kitchen will translate to those at the table. Not that we don't love spaghetti with ONLY BUTTER, NO GREEN.

$ green toys chef set Practice making Mommy saffron risotto. $15 at Greeno Bambino

$$ handmade apron Throw in a some beautiful play food ($20) too. apron $24 from Bean Soup

$$$ heirloom wooden kitchen Second best to a Viking range. $250 at Acorn Toy Shop

For Relatives in Far-Away Places

The people you miss the most are often the easiest to please. We've tracked down some wonderful sentimental gift ideas to keep your family in their hearts, if not in their guest beds on Christmas Eve.

$ e-video card Puts regular e-cards to shame. free from pixorial

$$ monogrammed photo album kit You sew it, you fill it. $38 from amh design ($85 ready-made)

$$$ designer photo scrapbook Your vision, their handiwork. $69+ at pixtorie

For Your Brother-in-Law aka Mr. Air Guitar

He knows the words to every Dylan song, and his most prized posession is his concert ticket stub collection. For the guy who eats, lives and breathes rock n roll, a few ideas that say "Yeah, we make fun of you sometimes but really, we love you."

$ music listography journal Great writing prompts, fab illustrations. $11.38 at Amazon

$$ membership to rock n roll hall of fame Dude, he could go daily! $50+ at Museum Store

$$$ complete beatles catalog on usb Good excuse to finally upgrade from the vinyl. $238.99 at Amazon

For Your Sister and Best Friend Who's a Million Miles Away

If you feel like you've tapped out all the cheesy sister-themed cards and books out there for holidays, here are a few less expected ideas. Bonus points if the gift makes her cry.

$ art necklace The back side says "side by side." $17 from Kelly Rae Roberts

$$ handmade frame Insert a photo of you together as kids. $44+ at Obrien Schridde Designs

$$$ plane tickets and a luxe travel pillow Coach class is just fine. pillow $45 at Shokay

For Your Boss Who You're Hoping Will Give You a Raise

Whether you're acknowledging the Grand Poobah or whoever approved your extended maternity leave, it's definitely the thought that counts. Just make it a cool one. Not too personal, but not, you know, a mug. (Really, not a mug.)

$ 4 vosges exotic truffles Four isn't enough. But it'll do. $10 at Vosges

$$ steampunk cufflinks Because you're just a cog in the machine. $55 at Steampunk Style

$$$ herman miller tops Desk toys have a new standard. $199 at Hive Modern

For a Cool Teen With a Big Heart

Not every teen on the planet is clamoring for something name-brand and pricey. For those kids with hearts in the right places (and kudos to their parents!) hook them up with something that says I get you. Which is pretty much what matters most.

$ boom boom cards/ teen edition The 2009 way to pay it forward. $9.99 at Boom Boom Cards

$$ make your own converse (red) Support the Global Fund. $58+ at Converse

$$$ foster an orphaned elephant Too many choices. $50+ Sheldrake Wildlife Trust.

For Your Artsy-Fartsy Friend

It could be your artier-than-thou single friend, your favorite metrosexual, your buddy the architect, or even your kid's art instructor. Here are a few thoughts to help you nail a gift to appease a gift snob.

$ pantone coffee cup So hip it hurts. $12.95 at Mxyplyzyk

$$ jonathan adler's prescription for anti depressive living Who doesn't love him? $23 at Amazon

$$$ film of the month club membership More indie than Sundance. $98.99 at Film Movement

For the Nanny You Don't Want Anyone to Steal

Our caregivers are among the most important people in our lives, and surely we'd all pay them double if we could. Whatever you get them, be sure to enclose a handmade card from the kids, wrap it up beautifully, and oh...include cash. Really.

$ belgian hot choc gift set ...and cash. $18 at Fred Flare

$$ goats milk soap set ...and cash. $64.95 at Abe's Market

$$$ woven+stainless earrings ...and cash. $129 AUD at Polli

For the Remarkable Teacher (Whose Job You'd Never Want)

Ask any teacher what they don't want and the answer is another World's Greatest Teacher pen/key chain/cap. Which isn't to say you can't acknowledge the greatness. If you want to get something a little more special, chip in with the whole class and get every kid to sign the card.

$ handmade holiday cookies Or a wine bottle tote. $4.50 The Container Store

$$ magnet set from your child's artwork A teacher portrait perhaps? $36 at Ruva Cards

$$$ apple bookmark from elsa peretti for tiffany Beats an apple mug. $65 at Tiffany

For Her First Holiday Dress

When you look back on those photos of that perfect little girl in her perfect little holiday outfit, you'll swoon the rest of your life. Sigh.

$ dwellstudio red cord dress Can't beat the price. $12.99 at Target

$$ black cord dress Get silver mary janes to match. $48 at Magpie Lovely

$$$ red velvet dress from velvet and tweed Classic and perfect in every way. $90 at BundleNYC

Holiday Best for Boys that Looks Great in January Too

You could spend all your money on that one reindeer sweater, or invest in something that keeps him looking dapper all season long. Hold the velvet. Please.

$ red checkered shirt Retro-fab. $14.50 at Old Navy

$$ burgundy woven shirt A nice change from holiday red. $49 at Genes

$$$ cashmere cable-knit Do you dare? $204 at Baby CZ

For the Preschooler Who Already Owns Every Toy Known to Man

We all know those kids, the ones who seem to have more than any one kid needs. For them, think experiential gifts (like zoo memberships), thank you notes (for all those toys), and books. Because you can have too many toys but never too many books.

$ personalized name stamps She has one? No way. $21 at Etsy

$$ p'kolino book buggee And a copy of Books Make Me Happy: My First Reading Log $38 from P'kolino

$$$ "experiences of a lifetime" Muppet Workshop? Danish LEGO tour? Bid at FAO Schwartz

The Gift of Giving

When things are tight, it has a way of making us realize how much we already have. Consider these worthy causes in addition to whatever you're buying, or even as great gifts in their own right

donors choose Supports school projects in your district or any other.	feeding america harvester program Monthly gifts that keep giving.	world wildlife fund extraordinary gifts program From the Amazon to the American plains.
unicef school in a box kit Sets up an emergency temporary school for 40 kids.	raven + lily sew great gifts Sewing kits to support fair trade partnerships.	music education for inner city children $150 teaches one kid for a whole year.

Great Gifts Under $12 for Kids, or the Young at Heart

You've got a lot of nieces. Or nephews. Or preschool classmates. Or holiday invites from friends with children. The good thing is, kids don't judge you on how much you spend. Here, some super cool ideas all $12 or less. We think they all feel like actual small gifts, and not stocking stuffers passing as gifts. In other words, no #2 lead pencils.

retro harmonica $8.00 at Fred Flare	allergy-free chocolate snowman $10 at Divvies	flower craft set $7.50 at My Sweet Muffin
handmade baby doll $12CAD at Natural Pod	fingerprint art set $12 at Romp	kids table topics $9 at Table Topics
where the wild things are $8.50 at Amazon	league of cliche evil super villains tee $9 at Threadless	tickle me plant $5.95 from Tickle Me Plant
candy cane marshmallows $9/15 at Have it Sweet	recycled paper sketchbook $7.50 at Olive & Myrtle	felt and beaded pendant $10.50 at Craftsbury Kids
puzzle piece soap $9.99 at La Retro Gifts	color and assemble toys $6.99 at Creative Toyshop	wooden board book $11.95 at Olie Bollen
wooden magic wands (add some glitter glue!) $3.95 at Green Planet Parties	green toys jump rope $9.99 at KangarooBoo	tree bell christmas ornament $6 at The Pajama Squid