3. my one and only; Florence Kane finds something for everyone in a single stop at Saks Fifth Avenue.(Saks Inc.)

Byline: Florence Kane

Even though it's not yet the new year, I've made a resolution: I'm doing my gift shopping the old-fashioned way, under one roof (in my case the storied old roof of Saks Fifth Avenue). There will be no boutiques, no Internet, and definitely no malls. I want to get in, get it all done, and get out with enough time left to actually enjoy the season.

Wandering through a classic American department store during the holidays is a bit like being in a Hollywood musical. The windows are decorated with wintry scenes (and people are lined up down the block to see them); at Saks the ceiling of the main floor is decked with twinkling white lights. You half expect to come upon Dean Martin or the Andrews Sisters singing "Winter Wonderland." It's a lot cheerier than plugging your credit-card number into a computer, making the hard slog up and down slushy streets, or having words with other overshopped souls over parking spots. Inside Saks, it's warm and bright, and within only two minutes I've found my first gifts at the Penhaligon's counter. For my female friends and relatives: perfumes, candles, crystal atomizers, and miniature perfume bottles on chains. For the men: Blenheim Bouquet (made in 1902 expressly for the duke of Marlborough by Mr. Penhaligon) shaving cream.

I move to the Kiehl's counter. I like their classic salves with a modern addition-SPF-and I think my sister-in-law does, too, especially because she's a medical student who wants to practice dermatology. For my other sister-in-law: a chic YSL Muse wallet I come upon just a few steps farther in the handbag department. Inside the vitrines in the jewelry area there is Alexis Bittar's darling faux ivory shaped into an owl pendant that is just what I want to give a cousin who lives in D.C., and brilliant green-malachite-and-gold drop earrings I think my editor will like. At the Hermes counter (yes, Hermes!) I choose a watch for my mother. It's a lot of fun to visit the Hermes store just blocks uptown, but department-store shopping isn't just festive; it's efficient, too.

Up the escalator, on the second floor, I don't find too many gifty things-giving a Peter Som or Rachel Roy frock might be overdoing it just a bit. Third floor is the same, even though I do see more present-appropriate items like Alexander McQueen scarves and Nina Ricci mohair sweaters (if you're going to give a sweater, nothing is better than this).