One of the drawbacks of being a young professional is that, come holiday time, you don’t have the money to buy gifts for everyone on your list.  Many ladies turn to DIY to fill this gap.  This year the Etsy Blog has a truly fabulous idea: crafty cocktails personalized for the recipient.

The cocktail above is the Maple Concord made with gin, Concord grape juice and maple syrup.  The author, Kelly, also created a step-by-step guide detailing how to balance ingredients to create your own custom cocktail.  A personalized bottle of hooch strikes me as a great gift for friends or co-workers.  You could also use them for wedding favors.

Joie Calee Metallic Sweater ($158)

Like many women, I’m never quite sure what to wear to casual holiday gatherings.  I usually end up in a sweater dress.  But the older I become, the more likely it is that my friend’s festive gatherings involve jeans and cocktails at home with a gaggle of toddlers in tow.  To dress up a bit for those occasions, I’ve decided to purchase a couple of metallic-accented sweaters.

A hint of sparkle is the perfect way to breathe a bit of holiday into an otherwise plain sweater.  The Lurex thread in this Joie sweater is just right for a casual party. I love the satin trim on this Generation Love sweater.  And this Brooks Brothers top has a sophisticated look with sheer sleeves and a gorgeous midnight blue color.

In the under-$100 category, this silver Lurex sweater from Gap is a good option.  Mango also has some lovely choices.  I like this burnished gold sweater and this silver cable-knit.

Plus-size?  Try this textured Karen Scott sweater or this bronze and black INC sweater.  Petite?  This rose gold-colored top from INC is nice, as is this dark semi-sheer sweater from Rafaella.