(Photo: Andrew Eccles)

In a particularly joyful scene from Wes Anderson’s new movie, Fantastic Mr. Fox, the animal characters come together and celebrate the holidays with an enchanting party involving Champagne, decorations, and a feast prepared by a rabbit (voiced by Mario Batali, which you might have guessed from the orange clogs) and hosted by an affable badger (Bill Murray). You’ll find our own attempt to bring seasonal cheer—or at least reduce seasonal anxiety—in the form of our annual holiday gift guide. In it, we’ve matched 46 New Yorkers with their most-wished-for presents, assembled a raft of budget-minded gifts, and served up nine spectacular meal-ending cakes. And since it’s the time of year when people like to help, we’ve also got ways to give back—even if all you have is a dollar.

Related:

• Archive: “Best Bets”
• Table of Contents: Nov 23, 2009 issue of New York | Subscribe!