Getting Personal

                Glamorous Gifts for Girly Girls
            
                Some are naturally glamorous, some achieve glamour (with hours of concerted effort) and some have glamour thrust upon them (in the form of extremely welcome gifts).

Whether she's a natural glamour-puss, has to work hard at establishing and maintaining her classy image or secretly yearns for glamour but feels it eludes her, there are plenty of gifts for her which she will love (and love you too for being clever enough to find such gifts for her).

The archaic meaning of the old Scottish word "glamour" (derived from "grammar" meaning learning) was a magic spell. Typically it would be one cast to change how things appeared. It belonged to the world of hobgoblins, brownies, elves and other supernatural beings, some of whom might appear far from glamorous. But if you think of a world where an innocent young girl kissing a frog or a beast might transform him into a handsome prince bearing exotic gifts for her, you begin to see an association. 

The word "glamour" appears in a magical context in several modern works of fiction, including Christopher Priest's 1984 science fiction fantasy, The Glamour, where it refers to the ability to become invisible and Stephen King's 1986 horror adventure, It, in which it refers to a creature that can change shape or appear in different forms to different people. There is also a link to a change in physical appearance in the supernatural television drama, Charmed (first aired in 1998) where glamour is the ability to apparently transform yourself into someone else.

The current definition of glamour retains its magical qualities, referring to a look or lifestyle that is enchanting, bewitching, charming or spell-binding. Other images conjured up by the word "glamorous" include compelling, captivating, alluring, romantic, sophisticated, stylish, smart, elegant, fascinating, flawless, charismatic and sexually attractive.

The term "glamour puss" was probably coined because cats take pride in their appearance, making sure they get their beauty sleep, cleaning and preening and having a knack of placing themselves delicately in a pose that shows off their feline looks to best effect. They also have a certain magical, mysterious quality about them.

Glamour is generally associated with posh cars, high heels, hats, long gloves, feathers, black, white, bold reds, tiaras, diamonds, pearls, gold, platinum, vivid lipsticks, lengthened lashes, manicured nails and exotic scents. But there are no fixed rules and it's possible to achieve glamour without those things. At one time a fox fur would have been the epitome of glamour but nowadays few self respecting ladies would be seen dead with a dead animal draped around their necks.

 "Glamour" seems to imply not a hair out of place but the hair in question can be blonde, brunette, jet black, red, snow white or distinguished grey. It can be long locks, sleek tresses, swept up or cropped short. Glamour can be slender or curvaceous and be clothed in closely fitted simplicity or swathed in elaborate swirls of fabric.

A discussion on the definition of glamour cannot omit the fact that glamour modelling has come to mean nude or scantily clad. If you are looking for suitable gifts for her, this may not be quite the kind of glamour she has in mind so be careful you don't send her on that sort of glamour modelling day (unless you're sure it's what she wants!).

Experts say that true glamour is not about following the latest fashions, regardless of whether they suit you, it's about cultivating a timeless look that is uniquely your own and making the most of your assets, whatever they are. Glamour comes not just from how you look but how you feel. If you feel glamorous you are more than halfway there. It's not just what you wear but how you wear it. It's about being comfortable in your own skin and in the additional layers of skin you apply in the form of the clothes and make up you choose to wear.

The secret of true glamour is to make it look effortless. A glamorous woman is like a swan; gliding along gracefully on the surface, but paddling away furiously out of sight.

If she longs to look and feel fabulous there are plenty of suitable gifts for her amongst the range of Pamper Treat and Health Spa gift packs or Makeover Days, complete with photo shoot. Or if it's the glamorous lifestyle she hankers for, personalised champagne or a luxury picnic hamper may be the right gifts for her, or even a ride in a catamaran cruiser, helicopter or classy car.

If you're really not sure what she wants, get her a pre-Christmas/birthday gift of a pack of "Get the Hint" stickers which she can use to point you in the direction of the perfect gifts for her.