This week, I got on the lovely (and free!) shuttle bus at Forty One Madison, and went on down to the Gift Show for a sneak peek at the latest, greatest and strangest in tableware, doodads, accessories, housewares and other gifts.

Javits was jammed!

I oogled luxe bedding, sniffed myriad scented candles and admired modernist kids furniture (this time, i got a closer look at the Brinca Dada dollhouse in person- I must have it!)

Stunning hand-printed textiles at John Robshaw.

I checked out enough glittery, bespangled ornaments and thingies to choke even the most ambitious Christmas tree.

The cutest coal I have ever seen, at Cody Foster & Co's fabulous, riotous booth.

You know I love glitter.  I also have a strange fascination with taxidermy. Boy, did the show deliver, displaying all kinds of (faux) critters, from papier-mâché big game mounts…

Aid to Artisans' creations were some of the first crafts out of Haiti post-earthquake. I love the Rhino.

…to Swarovski-spangled lobsters.

Crystal-encrusted crustaceans from China. Say THAT three times fast.

There were really, really luxurious surface materials, like shagreen…

I thought R+Y Augousti's bags were the ne plus ultra, until I saw its dressing table.

…and really cleverly-worked common ones, like balloons.

Umbra knotted hundreds of balloons together and then wrapped them around this charming table. iCarly has one, and so should I, Lisa.

A bunch of design stars brought their A-game, too, with tasty ( literally and figuratively) offerings.

This lollipop peacock (ok, peafowl) is proof that Jonathan Adler has gone mad, and I love it.

The fashionistas were not disappointed, either, with housewares and gift lines from the fashion world making a good showing.

Trina Turk showed boldly patterned pillows and rugs that would be perfect for Palm Beach... or Palm Springs.

Of course, I also nibbled my way down the food gifts section, sampling chocolates, dips, and The Barefoot Contessa’s baking mixes!

Ina Garten's in there somewhere! EVERYONE wanted a picture.