10 Great Audrey Gifts For $20 (or less)

It's that time of year again . . . Everyone's buying frantically, running around looking for the perfect gift, but times are especially tough right now, no matter who you are or where you live in this lovely world of ours. And whatever you celebrate during December -- shoot, even if you don't celebrate anything at all, toast yourself for living through 2009! -- finding an amazing gift at a great price makes you feel extra good, doesn't it? Everyone loves Audrey Hepburn, and if they don't, it's only because they haven't met her yet. If you're searching for the perfect gift for someone but don't have a lot of funds right now, consider these fabulous items for under 20 U.S. dollars (hey, that's not much in any market). The established Audrey fan will be pleased. If your recipient doesn't know about her, then you have the added pleasure of creating a new fan. :)

1. Audrey Hepburn, An Elegant Spirit: A Son Remembers - written by Audrey's son Sean, it's a dear and intimate look into the real Audrey. With loads of rare pictures and even a few recipes, it's an amazing book that anyone would be happy to have. $13.57

2. Audrey Hepburn (Barry Paris) - the definitive biography on Audrey written by an outsider. Brilliant, with an amazing amount of detail, it's a loving but not syrupy look at the actress and humanitarian. $14.49


3. Roman Holiday - The Centennial Collection (Mastered in High Definition) - world, meet Audrey. You'll never be the same. $15.99





4. Breakfast At Tiffany's - Paramount Centennial Collection (Mastered in High Definition) - even if they've never seen the film, this is what Audrey is known for. Show them why everyone loves Audrey's Holly Golightly and give them the added pleasure of watching her sing "Moon River" in that divine way no one has ever been able to match. $15.99

5. How to Be Lovely: The Audrey Hepburn Way of Life - Perfect for a new fan or a young lady you'd like to see grow up proper, this little book is jammed full of tips on life, love, and everything in between given by Audrey herself over the years. The quotes are lovely and it's a sure way to bring a smile to someone's face. $12.21

6. Funny Face - Paramount Centennial Collection - Know any fashionistas? It doesn't matter how modern and cutting edge he/she is, it is scientifically impossible to not swoon over the combination of Givenchy couture and Audrey Hepburn sporting them all over Paris. Plus, she sings and dances with the legendary Fred Astaire! $16.99

7. Charmed by Audrey: Life on the Set of Sabrina - perfect for the more advanced fan who may already own everything listed above, this new book is crammed absolutely full of never before seen pictures of Audrey on the set of Sabrina. Thought to have been lost for nearly 50 years, these photos were snapped before Roman Holiday became huge and Audrey won the Oscar, when she was still relatively unknown but on the brink of becoming a worldwide phenomenon. Also full of sweet quotes from the lady herself. $12.89

8. The Nun's Story - a lesser known, more serious film, but if you'd like to show someone once and for all that Audrey Hepburn wasn't just another pretty face, this is all you need. An absolutely brilliant, nuanced performance that really should have won her a second Oscar. $5.79


9. Charade - Audrey Hepburn! Cary Grant! Givenchy! Paris! What, you want more? Fine, how about a brilliant plot as well, and it's all directed by Stanley Donen. The Criterion edition is fantastic but excessively expensive, so stick with this one. $7.99


10. Audrey Hepburn 2010 FACES Square Wall (Wall Calendar) (Multilingual Edition) -the gift that really does keep giving, 365 days of Audrey. It's everything my mother said I should be: "useful and decorative." $13.49

the ultimate Mother's Day gifts

I just got a little catalogue in the mail from UNICEF, and it's encouraging their members to buy one of their Inspired Gifts for your mum this Mother's Day (May 11th). I think it's actually a very sweet idea, seeing that the holiday is just a made up Hallmark holiday anyway, and could you give the woman who gave you life* anything better than the chance to touch other childrens lives? The gifts in the catalogue range from an insanely affordable treated mosquito net to save children from insects and disease ($15), to a motorcycle used to speed medicine to unreachable people ($1,980)! Don't worry, there's plenty in between, I just wanted to highlight the price range to show that practically anyone can afford these gifts. Buy it in your mum's name and she has just saved a life. Isn't that fantastic? I think Audrey would have loved to have gotten that sort of gift. :)

If you're interested in doing this as a gift for someone, or because you're flush with a tax return and would like to do something good with your extra cash, you can browse the shop yourself here, or call 1-800-4UNICEF.

*or who raised you and made you the person you are, which is just as important!

Gifts that give back

If you haven't already started, I know you're already at least looking for gifts to start buying for your friends and family for the upcoming holidays. While there are literally billions of things you could get someone that would be a great gift, how about a little something that keeps on giving? More and more, companies are making products that are not only pretty and useful, but they're made by people in need with the proceeds going to help them, or a product is sold through a charity with the purchase price going towards a certain goal the charity has in mind. Newsday.com has a great article up talking about some of these double-giving presents you might want to consider.

What great things are mentioned on this list? Why, the Audreybags, of course! Handmade in the classic Italian style, the handbags are exclusive, posh, and do something that would make Audrey herself proud: help children in need around the world.

Another great gift for a special lady in your life would be a sterling silver snowflake charm from Tiffany's, with 25% of the profits going to UNICEF. Ooh, another great Audrey-themed gift! And that little blue box will be sure to stop some hearts.

There's lots more on the list, including handmade goods from Rwanda, luscious bath & body sets, and more jewelry, so take a look around and see if you can't find the perfect gift that will not only make your recipient happy, but make many people you've never met happier and healthier.