The New Year countdown has begun. We all have great expectations in 2016 and this week, I have some suggestions both for Christmas and the New Year's Eve that I want to share with you. My first suggestion will be about gifts.The New Year baskets of Divan Patisseries are simply a piece of art. The brand has been doing New Year baskets with 45 years of experience. I loved the baskets named "Star Light" and "Carmen," in particular. The basket named "Popcorn" is also very creative. It comes out with a red popcorn popper as a gift. There are 19 different kinds of arrangements in total. The designs are dominated by gold and silver in addition to pastel tones of blue, orange, red and green. Very artsy. You will encounter unique chocolate products in these baskets, which is one of the fields where Divan is top notch. The baskets also include generous amounts of Turkish delight, fresh assorted nuts and custom design gifts. The products of the baskets are for life. I particularly fell in love with the porcelain coffee set and silver wine glasses and I also think the design of the antique bottle is very original. You may see all the options by visiting the website at www.perabulvarı.com or Divan Patisseries. The baskets are quite large, to satisfy the eye, and their prices are quite affordable as well. The product of your choice is placed into a large box and delivered to your address by a special team. The baskets of Divan are the best choice for your family, VIP customers and your most loved friends. You definitely will not regret it and will impress your family and friends. Meanwhile, let's not forget that guests who book accommodations at the Divan Istanbul City for three nights will only pay for two nights between the dates of Dec. 28 and Jan. 3. The same promotion is available at Divan Bodrum, too. For those who live in the capital Ankara, on the other hand, Divan Pub in Divan Ankara offers local and foreign live music performances with its special New Year menu. I say, don't let it slip by you.If you wish to welcome the new year outside of Istanbul, covered in snow, my suggestion would be Golden Key Kartalkaya. As it happens every year, the hotel hosts traditional rituals this year too. It starts with happy hour on New Year's Eve while returning from skiing, and Santa Claus welcomes children with surprise gifts. The hotel offers a very special menu for the New Year's Eve dinner with deserts at the main restaurant. During the meal, "Golden Keys" are distributed to the guests as one of the rituals of Golden Key Kartalkaya. At midnight, these keys are to be hung on the pine tree. Another ritual is the smashing of pomegranate and the exit and re-entrance from the gate with an empty luggage. This ritual is summoned for guests to be traveling a lot during the year. Last but not least, New Year's Eve ends with the serving of Bereket (Abundance) Soup toward morning. If you do not prefer to ski, you may also watch the snow from your jaccuzzi in the morning, and indulge yourself in a spa treatment. As for the evening, you may taste the special New Year's Eve menu and welcome the New Year by having fun at the live performance of the Group Circus. Congratulations to the owners of Golden Key Hotel chains, Şebnem and Sedat Uyar, for preparing such a unique New Year's Eve. If you are looking for a Christmas menu, I have a suggestion for that as well. Located near the iconic İstiklal Avenue at the heart of Istanbul, Hard Rock Cafe Istanbul promises their guests the New Year and Christmas spirit throughout December. You may make your New Year's wishes in an authentic atmosphere feeling the special spirit of rock music and enjoying an exclusive Christmas menu. The special menu which includes pumpkin soup, turkey with all the trimmings and their famous apple cobbler, is available for a minimum of six people or more during lunch hours as well as at dinner. In addition, you may select a unique gift for your friends and family among myriad options offered at the retail store of Hard Rock Cafe Istanbul. The toys are especially cute! Returning to presents, I have suggestions ready for buying a gift for a man. I recommend that you check out Crate & Barrel out for men's accessories, Nespresso for new generation coffee makers, the Lufian's men's collection and men's jewelry at Tina Jewelry.Top 3 People to Follow This Week- Gonca Karakaş / PR Person- Seray Vural / Painter- Lara Sayılgan / PhotographerTop 3 Restaurants of the Week- Zahter / Maslak- Revma / Arnavutköy- Trilye / AnkaraTop 3 Hotels of the Week- Steingenberger / Maslak- Mona Hotel / Ankara- Nevv Bosporus / OrtaköyTwitter @ARDASAYINER