We’ve got a Mother’s Day Favourites section, but most of those styles are the ones our moms like, and if your moms are like ours, they keep their fancy stuff pretty basic. They like comfy crews, cozy bedsocks, maybe a ‘crazy’ splurge on some hand-printed trouser socks.

• Meg Unconstricted Top Crew •
• New Zealand Bed Socks •
• Polonova Flower Trouser Socks •

But, the best gifts are the ones that you know the giftee would never think to get themselves. Something fancy, maybe a little more than they like to spend on themselves. Our Indulgences section is a good place to go for just that sort of thing. I’m going to be honest, these are our pricier styles. But they earn their price, with fabulous fibers, fit and construction. This is where the luxurious stuff lives.

That doesn’t mean you have to go wild picking something out for your moms. There are some great options under $25 that feel fantastic and look gorgeous. Plus, they’re practically basics, so you won’t get chided for going overboard.

• Multi-Lines Knee Highs •
• Orkney Angora Wrist Warmers •
• Philippe Matignon Silk Anklets •

Of course, if you can and do want to spoil your mom, we can help you there! Check out three sweet indulgences after the jump!

Probably one of the most luxe knee highs we carry are the B.Ella Ginger Ribbed Knee Highs. They’re 81% cashmere. That’s a lot of cashmere! Soft, cushy and feeling like they’re made of clouds, these knee highs are a favourite of folks who want to really treat someone they love.

The next step up are the St. Petersburg Gloves. Don’t worry, that’s not real fur they’re trimmed with, but the gloves are 100% wool, crazy cozy and amazingly classic in line. Plus, they have a fabulous little pocket hidden in their cuff. Moms need to feel fancy too, and dang if these gloves won’t help them feel like an old-time movie star who is also a spy, using films as their cover.

For the ultimate indulgence I present the Orkney Angora Over The Knees. 50% angora, 50% lambswool, made by a family-run business in the Orkney Isles, these socks are like hugs. Which you should give your mom, by the way (and not just cuddly, fuzzy, high-end sock hugs). What is great about the Orkney Angora Over The Knees is that they are comfy and wonderful, but they’re also tall socks. So your mom can feel kind of foxy too.

Of course, you might not be able to indulge your awesome mom with luxurious gifts. But if you’ve got a marvellous mother, let them know, however you can.

The only problem is, gift cards can seem kind of impersonal. Sure, you love socks and you know they love socks, but even the prettiest email gift card sort of pales in comparison to something sent through US mail. But it doesn’t have to!

First, let’s look at ordering an email gift card. They’re pretty straight forward. From the Gift Card menu, chose “email cards”, or you can click this link right . . . here. There will be a simple form to fill out.

You can choose what style of email gift card you’re sending, we have several gorgeous looks for different seasons and occasions. Then just fill out your info and the info about who you’re sending the gift card to. There’s even a space for a little note! (remember this for later, it’s key to really personalising a gift card!)

Things to remember:

• You can enter any whole dollar amount you want! So you can send $13, $27, whatever specific lucky number you fancy! •

• Make sure you have the right email! Double check that the email for the person you’re sending this to is right. We can’t fix it if you send it to a lucky stranger. And make sure your email is right too, so you can get a confirmation that it was sent. •

Tips on the rest of the email gift card process and a great way to personalise email gift cards after the jump!

Now, before you move from the gift card ordering page, it’s time to personalise it. Ever since we launched our new Advanced Search you may have noticed I’ve been peppering these Sock Journal entries with links to specific searches. It’s kind of great, if we’re talking about dyeing white nylon, I can make a search for white nylon. Or if we’re talking about what makes up a boot sock, I can make different searches for those variables that help define boot socks. It’s a pretty great system!

So to make this gift more than just digital dollars, all you have to do is think about the person you’re giving it to. Do they need sporty socks for larger feet? Pretty sheer styles that need garters? Gorgeous wool tights?

Go to the Advanced Search page and use the checkboxes to build a search that fits what you think they’d like. What’s great is that you can limit the search by how much things cost too, so if you’d like, you can limit your search to styles their gift card can afford.

Once you’ve built a search for them, just copy what’s in the address bar (you can ignore the “?pp=30&sort=best_match” bit, if you’d like the URL to look nicer).

Now paste it right there in the “your message” area. You only get 200 characters in the message area, but there is a countdown that can help you trim what you’re saying to fit the search and your note.

Now you’ve got all that entered click “preview” to take you to the Confirmation Page, which is what I like to call the “oh man double check EVERYTHING page.” Now is the time to check their address and your address and the message and the amount. You can easily go back and edit, so make sure it is all good.

Now add it to your basket and do the rest of your shopping or head on through checkout as normal.

Things to remember:

• Once you finish checking out, the email gift card will send. We can’t hold it for you. This makes it difficult to get email gift cards as presents ahead of time, but we have a tip for that in a minute. •

• After you’ve completed your order and the email gift card is sent, we can’t make changes. Unlike a regular order, where we might be able to catch it in time to fix a colour or size, email gift cards are sent at the speed of the internet, which is faster than even Sock Fairies can go. •

Your lucky recipient will get an email that looks like this (well, if you picked the Solstice theme), only I bet you’ll be more generous with them than I was to myself, and their gift code won’t be scrambled.

You get an email that looks pretty much like it, but has a banner on top that says “This is a copy of the gift card you sent to (whoever you sent it to).” You’ll also get an order confirmation email, just like normal.

Here are just a couple more tips and reminders for gift cards:

• Email gift cards are an automatic process; we don’t do a thing to them. Pretty much, they’re magic. •

• But! If you do find that you’ve mistyped the recipient’s email, call or email us as soon as possible, so we can update and resend the email gift card. •

• There is one trick you can use if you want to buy an email gift card now, but don’t want somebody to get it just yet. Type in your own email as the recipient email, then the email gift card will go to you. Then all you have to do is forward the email gift card when you want them to receive it. •

So if you’re still trying to figure out last-minute gifts, don’t despair!  Email gift cards don’t have to seem impersonal and we have to say that it seems like folks really love them—most especially when it’s clear they got them because someone wanted them to spoil themselves.

Please keep in mind that December is by far the busiest time of year for both Sock Dreams and USPS. We always do our best to get all orders out the door within 24 hours, but because the post office is also being flooded with mail from around the world, shipping times WILL increase the further we get into December. The simple trick here is to place your order early and select the right shipping method for your needs.

If you’re shipping within the U.S. and hoping for an order to arrive by December 24th, our free first-class shipping should be speedy enough to cover you through December 18th.

Priority shipping gives you an extra day or so of wiggle room; you can safely order with Priority through December 19th for delivery by the 24th.

By December 20th, we highly recommend that you opt for 2-Day Express if you want to be absolutely sure that the package will be delivered by the 24th.

At this point in the season, our international customers will want to select Priority or Express International shipping for all orders with a holiday due date. Unfortunately, we cannot control how long Customs may hold on to an order during inspection, but placing your order with Priority/Express International shipping can often expedite the package’s transit through Customs.

Even slightly belated gifts will still be appreciated, so don’t let tricky shipping times ruin the fun and joy of your holidays. And remember– if you’re down to the wire and you’ve completely run out of time to ship anything, there’s always our e-gift cards, which are emailed to your recipient immediately!

More information about our shipping options can always be found on our shipping information page, and we encourage you to contact us at any time with questions about shipping, gift orders, or anything else!

Since this past mother’s day we talked about some tights options for new mothers, we figured we’d turn the spotlight of styles to new dads.  Because there is one thing cuter than how tiny baby socks are (especially when compared to larger-footed midcalves) and it’s perfectly coordinated babies and poppas.

• Gregorio Wool Bootsock •
• Nuova Baby Ribbed Wool Socks •

• Cesare Cashmere Blend Dot Socks •
• Dottie Polka Dot Baby Socks •

• Franco Wool Boucle Stripe Midcalf •
• B.Ella Baby Teddy Booties •

• Leonardo Argyle Midcalf •
• Argyle Baby Booties •

And all of these larger-footed midcalves are available in smaller sizes too, just check the Additional Info on their product pages for the link!

Are you picking up any socks for dads, new and old?

Along with the month, we’re almost through with the year!  It’s crazy how fast 2011 seemed to go and I don’t know about you, but I still can’t quite believe that it’ll be 2012 in a little over a week. I also know that I fully plan on rewarding myself with a sock or two that I’ve been coveting this winter season.

You may think you have socks you’re super desirous of, but when you are around socks all day, getting to touch them and see all of the nearly thousand styles we carry—well, you should see the wishlists some Dreamers knocked out as soon as the option was available.  I asked my fellow Dreamers what socky delights they’ve been eyeing and will probably pick up before the end of the year.  They were more than happy to share, ‘cause well—we all love socks here! So sit back and get ready to scroll through some delightful sock goodness.  Consider it a mini vacation of pretty.

“My favorite socks this season are the Cronert Wooly Rainbows . . . if I was going to treat myself with one pair for making it through this year it would be another pair of those. . . they are super snuggly, soft and really pretty to look at. I have washed and dried mine in the machine, despite the warnings against that, and they came out perfect, soft and stretchy as ever…. they are like little wooly clouds emitting rainbows.”

“By now I have them all, but I was coveting the heck out of all of the mooses and deers.”  When asked if it was because of the antlers they replied, “Yes. I must have all the power of antler.”

• Knitted Moose Crews •
• Reindeer Rollltop Crews •
• Wooly Deer Crews •

“I’ve been wanting to try the O Rayons FOREVER because they feel so silky soft– I just haven’t been able to decide on a color to start with; they’re all beautiful!” (I think they should go for Blueberry! It’s my favourite, though I’m also super partial to the Lichen.)

More Dreamer covets and socks worth rewarding yourself with after the jump!

“After the Xmas mayhem is over I’m definitely going to treat myself to the new Tabbisocks Lined Micro-Fleece Tights and a pair of Bunch o’ Pansies OTK in black. They will look great with my new black party dress, and keep me plenty warm!”

“I’m all about the Dahlgren’s Expedition Knee Highs for warmth, comfort, and outdoor adventuring.”

“I’m kinda all about the Dahlgrens right now. I have to agree, the Expedition KHs look so dreamy! And, as always, me LOVES the Biella Ginger KHs! I will most definitely be treating myself to a pair or two of them as well. Yum!”

Once I got them going, it was hard to get them to stop!  Like I said, we’re kinda into socks.

“Cronert Ojos de Dios, Cronert Chain Texture OTK, Cronert Multistripe OTK, Portland Stripe Tights, Extraordinary Striped Thigh Highs, aaaand Fleece Lined Leggings. To start with.”

“mmm…crooooonerts. Pinstripe Heraldry and Ojos. oh, oh! and those Hansel from Basel Silk Thigh Highs. *swoon*”

“Cronert Shadow Brocade OTKs ALL THE COLORS, Breaux Alpaca Beehive Knit Long Fingerless Gloves in Turquoise, MP lightly ribbed wool OTKs.”

“I heart my Laurels . . . I’m gonna get more oh! & you know how I love layering my tights.”

The styles are as varied and different as we all are but the one way they’re all the same is in supreme comfort and quality.  We like to treat ourselves right (and you should too!).  I hope our favourites will help inspire you to get yourself something special.

What about me?  Well, although I have bad luck with most wool, I do okay with angora.  I’ve been eyeing the Rose Garden Knee Highs for a while and I think I’m going to take the plunge.

What socks are you coveting?  Are you going to pick up something for yourself this holiday season (or have you already)?

For things being sent via USPS Priority mail (which is an extra $5, and free for orders totalling over $50) USPS is telling us the 21^st, but you’ll want to make your order by the afternoon of this Tuesday, December 20^th to ensure your order arrives in time.

Extra special rush deliveries shipping USPS Express (for $22, which includes insurance) that need to arrive by December 25^th need to be made before noon on December 22^nd, though again you’ll be safer if you make your order on Wednesday the 21^st.  All of our prices and expected time for delivery is on our Shipping Information page.

So, even if you’re using our free First Class shipping, you have all weekend to browse and find just the right treats for your loved ones (or yourself).  And I know a couple of styles that are perfect gifts for a winter holiday.

The Cronert Button Up Legwarmers are not only cozy and chic, they’re crazy soft and will be one of those pretty presents that a person can’t stop touching.

More snuggly suggestions after the jump and some shopping tips too!

A wonderfully warm wool sock that does well for lots of feet and personal tastes are the O Woolies.  Two foot sizes, over the knee for some folks, a great cuffed knee high for others and available in sedate neutrals and eye-popping purples, they’re a great all-around gift.

Speaking of wool, the Laurel Snowflake Knee High is a lovely option for a winter gift, with a sweater-style snowflake pattern that looks so amazing on.

For wool sensitive feet up to Men’s US size 10, the Diamond Rib Knee Highs are a great bet, like the other kilt socks we carry they work equally nicely under a skirt or trousers.

What I know I want (and may buy myself in the spirit of the season) are the Hansel from Basel Silk Thigh Highs.  We don’t have very many and quantities are limited, so get them while you can!  They’re gorgeous stockings that feel nice, look nice and would make anybody feel their fanciest when wearing them.

With the wonderful new wishlists, you may have a smart head start on gifts for your loved ones, or for letting others know what you want!  For those of us on tighter budgets this year, use the wonderful sorting options on our site to start your search—choosing to sort a section from “low to high” puts the tempting big-ticket items at the end of the display.

And don’t forget our Zap! and Sale sections.  When you check the “Gift invoice” box on the Shipping Options page of checkout, it will hide prices on the invoice, so your lucky recipient won’t know what you laid down for them.

If you’re leaving a gift note, make sure you enter it in the bottom box on this page (it pops up once you check “Gift invoice”), that makes your message one of the most prominent things on the invoice, so they don’t miss out on your wonderful words.

Now remember, you’ve got all weekend, but if you want to take advantage of our free First Class USPS shipping, get your order in by the afternoon of this Monday, December 19^th.