Christmas Gift Guide - Holiday Gift Ideas When You're Engaged

Your best friend has listened to all your wedding worries, gone dress shopping with you, and endlessly advised you on pressing issues like "seated dinner or buffet?" So this is a good year to get her something extra special.  Pick out a cute little dress that she can wear to New Year's Eve AND to the rehearsal dinner. She'll think of you and your excellent taste every time she puts it on - buying you a few more hours of bridal brooding.

For my best friend, I'd buy this Ruby Rox $68 cute cocktail dress with a fan detail and adorable pockets.

Your mom is going to be pulling out her iphone more than ever, showing off your engagement photos, her mother-of-the-bride dress, your ring, and eventually your wedding photos. Give her a cute cover for her phone that will add some extra bling to the bragging.

If your mom's not the digital type, buy her a brag book for her purse, like this stylish Kate Spade photo album. Pre-fill it with a few family and engagement pictures, and get the whole gang together for a Christmas photo for the front.

When Daddy's little girl is getting married, he might be worried that he won't get quality one-on-one time with her any more. Give him the gift of time with dancing lessons that will help you prepare for the father-daughter dance, and help with the separation anxiety. Fred Astaire is a national chain that probably has locations near you, but it's also great to shop local with a smaller studio in your area.

For the bride on the go, the iPad is awesome for wedding planning. Lunchtime suddenly becomes much more productive with web browsing and emailing. But you can also easily carry around photos, mood boards, and videos to show to friends and vendors so they can quickly grasp your bridal vision. Best of all, the app store offers countdown calendars, task managers, wedding planning software, and even bridal magazines.

For a bonus, pick up this glam sequinned iPad cover,

These are the people you have on speed dial - the ones who are always around to answer the nagging questions like, "Did you have trouble finding a caterer?" or "Am I really supposed to make out-of-town welcome bags? Did you do that?" If your recently married friends have been especially helpful with wedding planning, be sure to remember them on your Christmas gift list.

Help them celebrate their first married New Year's Eve with a nice bottle of bubbly They'll be so surprised to receive your thoughtful gift in the mail, and thrilled for the excuse to use their toasting flutes again.

If you already know that someone outside of your family is throwing you a bridal shower, engagement party, or other celebratory shindig, you're probably already thinking of ways to say thank you. Since they're likely to be entertainers, get them something special for their home like this monogrammed serving tray.

When you see how hard they work to throw you the perfect party, you'll be so glad that you pre-thanked them with a special gift.