Well, it is too late in the year to give you my best shopping tip, which is to be done by now, so we’ll just move on to the more timely practical stuff I can help with at this point before the panic sets in!

One Gift for All!
I have legions of cousins and it can be a ridiculous feat to buy individual gifts for each person, so I have often relied on one theme for the whole crew. One year I did music, one board games, another photo albums, that way everyone got something individual, but I wasn’t trying to come up with the perfect gift for each single person out of the whole world of choices. Limiting my possibilities saves me mental stress!

One such gift to be found here is slippers. You can’t go wrong giving people something cozy and guessing sizes is pretty easy- and you can always ask. Usually people aren’t sensitive about the size of their feet. Buying for folks in chilly, snowy climes you can pick fleece and shearling lined slippers.

Some slippers are strictly for indoors while others provide enough of a sole to make a quick trip to the mailbox. Or if you are lucky enough to enjoy the sunshine year round you can pick terry-covered slippers and flip-flop style slippers perfect for pool-side relaxing.

Sizes, Sizes, Sizes!
Yeah, trying to guess your mother-in-law’s size can be an ugly scenario that really takes the fun out of shopping. Instead of agonizing over choosing between sweaters that fit and labels that offend, you can comfortably select beautiful new purse or bag with confidence that it won’t upset anyone.

For the younger or cooler among your list look to Haiku or Keen for youthful colors and styles. For the hard-to-buy-for college student or older teen try Mimo’s Lucy bag or something by Webe for an off-beat funky look. Jane Marvel continues to produce great new bags ranging from the oversized carry-all to the sleek grab-and-go wallet in vivid patterns and colors that shake the norms.

Maybe just what you need for that twenty or thirty-something that combines work and a busy life. A professional put-together type person on your list? Try Baggallini for classic looks in new colors that will complement any professional wardrobe. Then, for the special one-of-a-kind bag look to Anuschka for gorgeous hand painted leather bags that are breathtaking works of art.

Free Bonus Stuff!
Isn’t it great when shopping is rewarded with free stuff? Yeah, I think so, too. I can either keep the bonus, include it with the original gift or even use an entirely separate gift! I love options. Several vendors on PlanetShoes.com are offering bonus goodies with a purchase this season (aka Gifts With Purchase), so be sure to check them out.

Teva and Bearpaw are giving away tote bags and CDs, BOGS is giving away socks for the whole family, Spira is giving away headband/ear warmers, Kenneth Cole and Sperry are giving away clothing, Skechers is including a free wristband/wallet, and Kamik is giving away the cutest if least practical freebie- an adorable owl named Oliver! So, look and see what boots, shoes, sandals and more might be just what you need to round out your shopping list then you can enjoy

Smartdogs make great slippers. You know how we know that? They only make slippers. This is a company that is all about the comfort of the cozy slipper, which means all of their creativity, design and innovation, have gone into building the best slipper possible for a wide variety of needs, styles and feet. With a great variety of styles and shapes, Smartdog offers durability, skid resistance, comfort and flexibility to anyone looking for a great way to warm their feet or hang out in the house and run out to the mailbox!

A great example of classic design with a fashionable edge from Smartdogs Slippers is the Hope. This is a classic moccasin slipper look that has been tweaked for a more detailed and feminine edge.

With colored and fluffy microfur lining, your feet will sigh with pleasure when you put these on and the super attractive wool-like upper with contrast stitching that coordinates with the microfur will make your fashionable heart sigh with pleasure. After all, no one wants a dowdy slipper – but no one wants a frivolous slipper that is neither cozy nor comfortable either!

Another great look from Smartdogs that also incorporates their holistic approach to slipper construction is the Downward Dog. Inspired by yoga enthusiasts with cold feet everywhere this ballet flat slipper will bend the stretch with you no matter your activity.

The stretch fit is designed to fit the form of your foot while the gel heel and chakra inspired color palette ensure comfort and inspire well being. So if you’re looking for a shoe that will stretch and move with you all around the house, and maybe even during your daily yoga, check this Smartdog out!

For the ultimate in cozy and fuzzy slipper luxury, I would be remiss if I didn’t point out the Smartdogs Eternity. With a soft deer suede upper and sheepskin shearling lining, you will never have cold toes again.

The design of this slipper is totally classic and the shearling spilling over the top edge will keep all of your foot warm and offers a hint of luxe design. These Smartdogs are also outfitted with an outdoor and fully textured sole to ensure durability and keep them in great condition.

Smartdogs is all about slippers and they craft their designs in classic shapes but with a charming edge of updated fashion. No matter your design aesthetic, functional needs, or desire for luxury, you’ll find a great pair of slippers that will last you through years of happy seasons from SmartDogs Slippers.

Terrasoles are designed for the comfort of the active person. Not only are they made from recycled materials whenever possible, they were created specifically for people transitioning from activity to relaxation. After a day of hiking, skiing the slopes or running after kids, we all need a comfortable but supportive slipper to ease us into a relaxing evening. Terrasoles are designed for that transition and as such they are versatile, attractive and super cozy.

The Tuckerman Ravine, for example, is available in a men’s slipper or for women and really exemplifies the Terrasoles design aesthetic and idea. The upper is recycled fleece which offers soft comfort to tired or chilly feet. The adjustable toggle closure means you can ensure a snug and comfortable fit and you won’t be worried about stepping out of them.

There is a removable foot bed within the slipper which offers maximum comfort flexibility and all of the materials used in the slipper are designed not to hold moisture, which means no annoying sweaty feet! There is also an outsole that offers traction so you can easily take these out on the road, ice or slippery ground without fear. Offered in attractive, but neutral colors, you’ll certainly find a pair that will work for you.

For the ladies specifically, the Terrasoles Rainier is your stylish answer to the cozy casual shoe conundrum. Patterned after the popular ballet flat, these slip on slippers come in five cute colors and can work with any outfit – whether you are hanging out at the house, off on errands or coming off the slopes and heading to a casual meal.

The recycled fleece upper offers cozy comfort and lightweight flexibility to the shoe. The foot bed, like in the Ravine is removable depending on how you like the slipper to fit and the outsole means you can take them in or out of doors. Super comfortable, feminine but casual these indoor outdoor slippers are great for everyone from college student to mom on the go.

If you’re looking for a more rugged style, Terrasoles has created that for you as well – in the Terrasoles Glacier for ladies and in the Terrasoles Snowmass for men. Both of these styles feature a super cozy wool upper with soft shearling which means your feet are encased in happy warmth.

As in all Terrasoles slippers, the foot bed is removable for your customized comfort and the materials are designed to stay dry and cozy. Both of these styles also feature a rugged foot bed that will give you the traction you need no matter the terrain.

As you can see, Terrasoles offer a high quality, versatile slipper designed to take you in or out of doors after a day of vigorous and fun activity. These slippers also make terrific gifts because of their luxiury feel and you’re supporting a company working hard to be environmentally friendly and responsible. So if you’re looking for a great, comfortable and attractive transitional casual shoe, Terrasoles are a perfect fit!

Fly Flot is all about comfort and conforming to your feet. Essentially, these slippers are designed to customize themselves to your foot bed. They focus on four points of comfort; light weight and self molding construction, anatomical design, shock absorption and anti-slip soles. While they use these tenets in their construction of casual shoes, they also bring them into their slippers.

For example, the Fly Flot Comfy is an adorable slipper that’s not just a pretty face. In many cases, a slip on slipper will slide off the foot at inconvenient moments – or they don’t have the support of a good shoe, despite how often you might be wearing them around the house.

The Comfy has a supportive, but removable foot bed and the Mary Jane strap is actually adjustable so you can make sure they fit your feet and stay in place. By not forcing your foot muscles and tendons to keep the shoes in place, Fly Flot has created a slipper that keeps your toes warm and increases your foot’s rest and relaxation. Made of boiled wool – the Fly Flot Comfy is also entirely “green” and comes in a variety of colors so you have plenty of options depending on your bathrobe color!

Likewise, the Fly Flot Cushy, also constructed of boiled wool and designed to be entirely eco-friendly, offers adjustability in a traditional slip on slipper. With a higher vamp and less feminine look,Fly Flot has created a clog-ish slipper with a contrasting adjustable strap. The earthy look of this slipper, and the colors offered are very appealing and versatile.

The contrasting strap creates visual interest, as does the adorable boiled wool button detail and the strap ensures, again, that the slippers will be easy to put on and off but will stay in place while you’re wearing them.

If you’re looking for a sturdier slipper, which many of us are, Fly Flot also offers the Garden which is really a super casual shoe that could make a great slipper and you can keep them on for your errands.

With a rubber sole, these can easily go out on a wet day to take the dog for a quick constitutional but the comfort sole and blended wool upper will feel more like a warm and luxurious slipper while you’re relaxing in your home.

The best thing about Fly Flot slippers, though, is the fact that after wearing them for a while, they are truly yours. The foot bed is designed to conform to your foot’s anatomy. Whether you have high arches or flatter feet, wider or narrower feet these slippers will support you in comfort and warmth! And it doesn’t hurt that they are really cute either!

Foamtreads does a great job at making slippers that can go from indoors to outdoors while supporting your feet and keeping you warm. This is a brand that knows how much time you probably spend in your slippers and knows they should be comfortable, supportive, warm and breathable. Incorporating memory foam and natural shearling materials together makes these slippers super comfortable and incredibly luxurious especially given the value.

Let’s go from the ground up! The soles of Foamtreads are designed to absorb shock and to provide protection for your feet, ankles, knees and hips while maintaining a breathable feeling to keep your feet from sweating. This makes a lot of sense since many of us spend tons of time in our slippers and they should not only be comfortable but also supportive.

The breath ability is one of the real ways that Foamtreads stands apart from other brands since I think we all know there is nothing more annoying than having your feet sweat in your slippers since then…they get cold again. The material Foamtreads slippers uses is also super lightweight despite being such an excellent shock absorber so you won’t be weighed down despite getting maximum protection.

Foamtreads also uses materials in the foot bed that have embedded antibacterial properties to protect your slippers against odor and other wear and tear that might be caused from the development of fungus or other bacteria.

We love a company that knows you’re probably wearing your slippers with bare feet and designs around that fact! These are slippers that can also be easily maintained by hand washing with a mild soap and allowing them to air dry. This keeps your slippers clean but protects all the materials from undue deterioration from your hot dryer.

As we move on up the shoe, we see the immense variety of materials employed by Foamtreads in their uppers to offer lots of different looks. Suede, micro suede, faux fur, tweed and wool blend uppers in different colors with creative and alternate trims are what you’ll find. You can find the classic slippers your grandma loves as well as some great, brightly colored slippers with a modern edge.

The styling of Foamtreads slippers definitely stands out. Although you’ll find the styles are classic – mules, moccasins and booties, slippers like the Juniper, the Ophys and the Sunset stand out from the rest. Using interesting color palettes and suede cut outs to give an updated look to a simple shape mean that the slippers you wear every day will make you smile whenever you look down at your cozy feet.

If you’re looking for a more classic look, you can also find classic clogs with contrast piping or slip on clogs with beige suede uppers and soft faux fur edging. If you like a clean and elegant line or a more earthy look, you’ll find an option with Foamtreads.

These slippers are good looking enough to wear for company and they are made for easy on and off but they are also designed to stay securely on your feet as you walk around. If you’re looking for an indoor/outdoor slipper with a different level of support and a wide variety of colors, shapes and textures at a great value– Foamtreads could very well be the choice for you!

The fall is upon us up here in the Northeast and I must say there is nothing better than coming down on a chilly morning to a delicious cup of hot fresh coffee in my cozy slippers. This is why I love fall. I’m sure come January I’ll be sick of my slippers but for now they are a welcome sign of fall and the cold weather to come. Choosing slippers can be more complicated than you might think – especially here at Planet. We have so many brands and styles from which to choose – wait, perhaps this is how I’ll get through my winter boredom!

So we’re going to do a little post series over the next few weeks on homage to slippers and the joy they bring to those of us in colder climates!

Acorn

Acorn is a terrific brand of casual shoes, slippers and socks. Some of their styles are classified as Vegan, some are Earth Friendly and they are very conscious of recycling materials and packaging. This is a company worth supporting – and they support consumers with a high quality products and extended sizes and widths to ensure that everyone has warm and happy feet through the winter months.

Acorn slippers come in most of the standard shapes you would expect to see. You’ll find the Mule, the Mocassin, the Clog and the Slipper Sock. They also have higher booties – although if you’re looking for cozy ankles you’ll definitely want to look seriously at the slipper socks.

You’ll also find a variety of looks and materials from mock sheepskin to mock fur and even a mock fleece. Acorn even has a line they call “chinchilla” because they are luxuriously lined with faux chinchilla and these are offered in both an ankle bootie and a more standard moccasin slipper height. The rich textures, thick feeling and variety of colors and shapes will please anyone looking for the perfect pair of slippers while the interior construction and design will keep you contented and warm.

Acorn slippers are created for maximum flexibility – meaning if you need to take the dog out in the morning or you need to go out and get the mail, they are designed with a weatherproof outsole. The The footbed construction does vary – in some cases the slippers are designed for comfort and long wear with a molded footbed while others have a memory foam midsole over a comfort cushion layer which means these slippers are not only cozy, they make you feel like you’re walking on air. Note the features while you’re browsing through the site.

Acorn is also smart – they have a travel option for you when you’re on the road. Don’t think you have to just keep your toes warm with socks at the ski lodge this winter – check out the Acorn Travel Tech Moc in soft, water resistant rip-stop material. With a micro-fleece lining, you won’t feel like you’re in your “travel slippers.”

Finally, Acorn also has a lovely selection of stylish slippers that look beautiful as well as being comfortable, warm and durable. The Acorn Caftan series bring whimsy to the standard slip on slipper shape with contrast embroidered Nubuck uppers and contrast colored piping. The Acorn Biba is another whimsical slip on made in luscious pink Nubuck and with charming details. Cozy and stylish – how can you go wrong?

So if you’re sitting at home right now – or in the office longing for your Sunday morning with coffee and newspaper in comfortable, cozy and good looking slippers – check out Acorn this fall and find the pair of your dreams!