With dollars so tight this season, every purchase is receiving scrutiny heretofore worthy of a new car. But you know what? A funny thing happened on the way to the recession.

Recognizing the pending tight wallet syndrome this holiday season, retailers ordered less inventory but are being more discerning in what they place on the floor. So instead of wading through jammed racks, overstuffed baskets and crowded cupboards, the good stuff is now easier to find.

Your little elf tried to visit every retail establishment in Snowmass Village last week to put together gift suggestions for the important people in your life. What she found locally topped just about anything that's being hawked on the Web. Plus, there's the added knowledge that sales tax dollars are being returned to the community.

Snowmass Tourism is offering an added incentive, for every $100 spent, save $20 with “Snowmass Bucks” (see coupon in this newspaper).

So get ye to the mall, the base or the center for ease in buying so close to home.

Kids will be cozy in the great outdoors in a Turtle Fur fleece neck gator available in luscious pastels and prints. $9.50, Incline Sports.

He'll love kickin' back after a big day of riding to watch “That's It, That's All.” DVD, $25, available at Sidewinder Sports.

Say you are heading to a good friend's place for the main holiday meal. Maybe you feel like your regular bottle of Rodney Strong just isn't fancy enough. Special occasions may merit a little splurge. Check out the 2004 Bramare Malbec. $100, Daly Bottle Shop.

But what if your friends don't drink? Say it with chocolate, a whole delectable box of mini truffles. In the words of Rachael Ray, “yum-o.” $14.95, Rocky Mountain Chocolate.

There's also the option to “say it with flowers.” Fresh evergreen bows and berries start at around $45. Wildflowers.

What the world needs now is more peace, peace. This sentiment is best captured in a 14K diamond peace sign necklace that's available in yellow or white gold. Chain included. $250 and up, Bright and Shiny Things.

A porcelain and pewter oval serving dish augmented with naturally shed antler handles makes a great hostess gift or present for the owner of the condo you're borrowing. $275. Collections.

Cheerful, painted skiers seem to almost jump off the ceramic mugs at Snowmass Trading Company. $12.95.

Don't forget the kids! Everyone has a stuffed bear these days but how many little ones have a soft and cuddly gopher? $14.95, Snowmass T-Shirt Company.

Go ahead, let it snow! Mom will be bundled properly in a black and white snowflake scarf from Neve. $56, Christie Sports.

The magic of the holiday season is captured in “The Christmas Tree at Rockefeller Center,” by Carla Torsilieri D'Agostino and Byron Keith Byrd. Signed copies $17.95, Resortworks.

Handsome wooden signs with campy slogans and retro drawings are timeless in their appeal. $98-139, Local Color.

Perfect for the Baby Man in your life is “The Encyclopedia of Immaturity.” The complete guide to never growing up. $19.95, The Snowmass Outlet.

Cashmere that caresses the neck and a powder skirt to keep the mid-section dry are two smart features found on the Austrian-made parka by Frauenschuh. The flattering, limited edition jacket is available in milk, olive, black and brown. $1,290, Performance Ski.

A wool bomber jacket is less for on-the-hill and more for around-town, but if you reverse the jacket by PJs, to its flip side, it could do double duty. $895, Stein Eriksen's.

Lions and tigers and bears, oh my! Junior will wear these helmet covers well. $31.95, Four Mountain Kids.

She can ski the entire mountain with you but deep down, it's bumps that are her faves. Dynastar's Exclusive Legend skis are made in Chamonix and with their pastel colors and slight Asian flair, are as sharp to look at as they are to ski. $599, Snowmass Sports.

Burton used a carbon-fiber blend to create the lightest snowboard on the market, The Method. It's also the most expensive ride around. $1,500, D&E/Four Mountain Sports.

He'll be the fastest one down the slopes on a Meriken Missile, a sit-ski sled that comes in a rainbow of colors. It's one of several sleds from which to choose. $40. Aspen Sports on the Snowmass Mall.

Protect those orbs at high speeds by checking into a pair of I/OS goggles, which offers two lens for swapping out when the light changes. $180, Cool Dog.

Just about every manufacturer makes a red fleece pullover, but Mountain Hardware's zip-T seems a cut above. $85, Aspen Sports in Base Village.

The Khumba Denali jacket, for men or women, sets itself apart from the pack with its tiger logo. Grr! $165, The North Face.

Cupcakes are the most popular baked good these days. Start the little kids early on these neat wooden (non-edible) treats made by Melissa and Doug. $21.99, Generation Snowmass.

Credit card size zip bags hold your plastic and a couple of bucks, but that's really all someone needs on the slopes, right? Retro designs give them flair. $5, Local Color/Rebels.

Even the most obvious treats can make for welcome gifts. Case in point: ordinary food items, when coupled together in a gift bag (or even standing alone), often fit the bill. An oakwood smoked Scottish salmon is simply elegant. $10.99, Village Market.

Snowmass no longer has a dedicated toy store, but plenty of places have stepped up to fill the void. Kids of all ages love puzzles; for a slightly more challenging than usual 1,000-piece winner, check out the Good Housekeeping cover from 1931 that's beautiful in its simplicity. $16.95, Sundance Liquor & Gifts.

Who hasn't heard the lecture about staying hydrated? A Camelback water carrier is a one-size-fits-all gift for the outdoorsy folks on your list. $28, Aspen Sports Outlet at the Snowmass Center.

Outside of the obvious stops are special spots which may prove to hold treasure troves of gifts. Anderson Ranch Art Center's compact gift shop has beautiful prints, pottery and paint sets, to name just a few items. Cute as can be are Sarabeth Berk's stuffed baby owls, some of which are lavender filled. $12.

There are framed original paintings of roosters and horses and metal sculptures with a Western flair, created by the “Two Jeffs,” the proprietors of the Snowmass Conoco. $49.98 and up, Snowmass Conoco.

Down at the Nordic Center (also known as the Black Saddle), you can give your favorite skier or would-be slider a gift card for a lesson and a rental. $52.56, Snowmass Cross-Country Center.

Finally, don't forget the new Viceroy Hotel where The Boutique packs a lot of punch into small quarters. The man in your life will adore the Justin Timberlake black leather jacket. $620, The Boutique.