Stuart Weitzman Grace Glitter Platform Sandal

As much as it may hurt to say it, Christmas is almost over. By the time you read this, Christmas will be less than 48 hours away. All that buildup to just one day that’s over before you can say partridge in a pear tree. I mean, really. We start seeing Christmas stuff in the stores in July, the frenzy starts right after Thanksgiving, there’s a mad dash at the end to make sure all our shopping is done and packages are mailed and cards are sent. Well, if you do that sort of thing. I don’t send paper cards anymore. I send e-cards. Quicker, easier, no paper or stamps. Then we all wake up Christmas morning, rip open some gifts, watch football or maybe play football, then stuff ourselves with turkey to lapse into our second tryptophan coma of the year. If you have ham instead, it’s just a regular food coma. No fancy name. Sorry. Anyway, then everyone takes a nap wherever they happen to sit or fall after dinner, and it’s all over. Months of preparation, days of stressing, all for one day, most of which is spent eating and sleeping. I’ll never understand it. But, the good thing about Christmas being over is it means New Year’s Eve is just around the corner. And you know what that means! More parties! More food! And more fabulous shoes to wear. New Year’s Eve is one of the only—ok, the only—time of year when you can wear something gold and flashy and not be confused with a Latina soap star. So don’t hold back. Go all out. And this Stuart Weitzman Grace Glitter Platform Sandal is just the right shoe to get you started.

From afar, it almost looks like the Grace is encrusted with little bits of gold. But no, it’s glitter. Only not the glitter you get at the craft store. It’s not like they just covered an old leather pump with glue, then sprinkled gold glitter over it, because that wouldn’t work, right? I mean, it would just flake off with every step. At least, I think it would. I don’t know from personal experience or anything. Heh. Moving on. The Grace has a leather sole, so scuff it up a bit, and you can take these babies onto the dance floor without worrying about sliding around. The heel is gold, but not glittered, giving the shoe some contrast and not overdoing the sparkle. It’s also 4.75 inches high, but with a 1.5-inch platform, it’ll only feel like three and a quarter inches high. No big deal, right? Find out for yourself for $355 at Endless.com.

Budget Saving Alternative 1

So maybe glitter’s not your thing. Nor is paying $355 for a pair of shoes after you just emptied your bank account buying gifts for people you don’t even like that much to begin with. Or maybe you just don’t want to look like the protagonist starring in Los Amantes Clandestinos. So check out this Pelle Moda Limbo peep toe platform pump instead. It’s elegant with a few details that add sparkle and spitfire. What, you don’t think of yourself as a spitfire? Whatever. Slip these gorgeous pumps on and you’ll need to carry a fire extinguisher with you. Where shall we start? There are so many little details to admire. First, the upper is one hundred percent silk, and it’s ruched over the vamp, adorned in the middle with a jewel embellishment in a complementary color. The heel is 4.25 inches high, and is covered with tiny crystals in the same color as the vamp adornment. The half-inch platform is mostly hidden, but where it shows right at the front, it’s also covered with those tiny jewels. A leather sole provides sure footing, and the generous peep toe will show off your pedicure. I love it in this champagne, but it’s also available in black silk, or pewter or bronze leather. Try your favorite color for just $154.95 at Endless.com.

Budget Saving Alternative 2

Ok, I know it’s a little cold to be wearing sandals, especially ones as strappy and delicate as these. But if you’re going to a New Year’s Eve party, you’ll be inside, right? Unless you plan on being in Times Square that night. And if you do, there will be enough people packed in there that you should be plenty warm. Besides, who cares if your feet are cold? They’ll look fabulous in this Nine West Accolia. As thin as the straps are, they managed to work in some pleating detail on the vamp. The slingback closes with a dainty buckle, which makes the Accolia adjustable for a perfect fit. You’ll be able to watch the ball drop on three-inch covered heels. The entire shoe is leather, upper and sole. Treat your feet for only $69 at Piperlime.com.