Holiday Gifts with 'An Extra Wow Factor'

When Kara DuRie , Wrapped & Ready!, earlier this year, it was with a very particular focus. "I started out doing kids' birthdays," DuRie said.

Like any small business, however, she found herself adapting to emerging demand. "People were like, 'You should really get into hostess gifts.'"

DuRie told Patch in May she wanted to get into hostess gifts, and now she has a variety to offer. Besides kids' baskets themed for Chatham, for Batman, for the Jets or for playing school. There is also a large glass beverage dispenser ("that makes a great Christmas gift," DuRie said), monogramed candles, soap dispensers, wine holders, serving trays and ice buckets.

"You want something that's still reasonable, but different than a bottle of wine to bring, and everyone loves monogramed stuff or something with their name on it," DuRie said. "You want something to bring to somebody's house for a Christmas party or Thanksgiving."

DuRie, a single mom with three kids, gets year-round inspiration from her kids. For the holidays, she has some ideas of her own. There is a "Let's Get Cozy" basket with tea and a blanket, and an vintage-style popcorn bucket with a Christmas movie and candy. "I love sort of more old-fashioned things," DuRie said, "so I tend to do more old-school gifts, too."

Some people, DuRie said, may already have a gift picked out, but might want to include something extra as well.

"When something's monogramed or personalized with [a] name on it, ... it just gives a gift more of a wow factor," DuRie said.

All the gifts are wrapped in cellophane and tied with a ribbon. Prices vary, but most fall under $30. DuRie offers pick-up from her Chatham Borough home, and offers local delivery. "It's a big convenience, I think, for moms, for me to drop something at their steps," she said.

Wrapped & Ready! can be contacted by telephone at (973) 665-9691 or by email at karadurie@yahoo.com.