The holiday gift-giving season is quickly approaching, and hot gifts for this year range from trendy new must-haves to the classic presents that return year after year.

Destiny’s Child, Mannheim Steamroller, Tony Braxton, Barbra Streisand and Lee Greenwood all have new CDs on sale for Christmas, said Brad Niland, store manager at the Sam Goody store in North Grand Mall, 2801 Grand Ave.

“MTV TRL Christmas has a lot of popular artists,” he said.

The `Now That’s What I Call Music’ CD series also has a Christmas version available, Niland said.

Lemstone Book Branch, a Christian book store in North Grand Mall, has traditional Christmas gifts. Gifts range from nativity scenes and Christmas music and ornaments to wall tapestries, small framed art and Willow Tree figurines, said employee Linda Weitzel.

“Many people start a family member out with a small nativity set and then add pieces every year,” she said.

When the cold snap comes, Marshal Toms, camping department manager for Ames Outdoor, 4723 W. Lincoln Way, said he predicts sweaters, hats and gloves will be popular.

“Tents, climbing devices and snowshoes have been popular Christmas gifts in the past,” Toms said.

Clothes are always popular Christmas gifts – the trendier, the better.

“Flare is good right now,” said Shane Allen, store manager of The Buckle at North Grand Mall.

Tinted denim, low-rise jeans, rhinestones and brighter florescents are trendy, Allen said.

“Green is coming back . and the trends are going western,” he said.

Trends are also constant from store to store.

“Low-rise, flare-bottom jeans are popular . as well as brands such as Tommy Hilfiger, Polo and Calvin Klein,” said Amy Shane, selling manager for Younkers at North Grand Mall. Ribbed sweaters are popular for men and women in various neck styles, she said.

“Studded belts and ID bracelets are pretty popular,” Shane said.

Mac the Moose, a stuffed animal, is a seasonal item special to American Eagle Outfitters at North Grand Mall, said Sarah Elsbecker, assistant manager. Part of the proceeds from Mac go to Jump Start, a non-profit program that prepares children to succeed in school, she said.

“Guys’ stocking hats are really popular . [and] pea coats are a popular item which we don’t normally have,” Elsbecker said. “Sweaters are one of our biggest buys . and good items for Christmas.”

Some shoppers are getting into the giving spirit with less traditional gifts.

“Small items and gift sets are starting to sell more,” said Scott Venter, assistant store manager of Wal-Mart, 3015 Grand Ave. For the more traditional shopper, movies and CDs are popular gifts for college students, as well as other larger electronics, he said.

“People aren’t buying a lot of expensive items, but the larger items are being put on layaway,” Venter said.

Fiction books are a nice break for college students who have lost the joy of reading.

“Harry Potter books are popular because of the upcoming movie release,” said K.J. Franca-Ferguson, assistant store manager of Waldenbooks at North Grand Mall. “Lord of the Rings is also a popular book right now, as well.”

And of course, for the indecisive gift-giver or the person on the list who has everything, there is always an alternative, Franca-Ferguson said.

“Gift certificates are also excellent for those who can’t decide which book to buy,” she said.