FEATURE:

Gifts Galore

by Ashley de Coligny

Broke da Mouth Baskets

Senbei, arare, iso peanuts, beef jerky, banana chips, dried cuttlefish, candied ginger, li hing mui, wasabi-flavored green peas, espresso macadamia nut cookies—Wholesale Unlimited’s gift baskets are filled to the brim with mouthwatering munchies. Choose from several pre-made options or have one custom-made; the most difficult part will be deciding what to include from their inventory of over 400 ono treats. Christmas orders should be placed a month in advance. Obviously, that deadline has passed, but don’t panic. Pick up the phone or pop by the nearest Wholesale Unlimited store, and staffers will do their best to ensure your basket is under your loved one’s tree by Christmas morning.

Gift baskets start at $35. Wholesale Unlimited has six stores on Oahu: Mapunapuna, 834-2900; Waipahu, 839-5258; Kaneohe, 247-8625; Pearl City, 486-9900; Manoa, 988-9955; and downtown Honolulu, 537-5832. Web site: www.cybersnacks.net.

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The Ultimate Indulgence

The V.I.P. in your life doesn’t want seven swans-a-swimming. She wants the Seven-Step European Facial at Ampy’s: A Day Spa! It’s part of the V.I.P. (Very Important Pampering) Package—a full day of spectacular spa treatments. The Vitamin C Micropeel and the Lavender and Berry Blend Body Buffer will make her skin glow. Her worries will melt away with a soothing Body Massage. And after the Warm Milk and Peppermint Manicure and Pedicure and a healthy spa cuisine lunch, she’ll know the meaning of pure pleasure.

The five-hour V.I.P. Package is $310. Address: Ampy’s: A Day Spa, 1441 Kapiolani Boulevard, Suite 377. Phone: 946-3838. Web site: www.ampys.com.

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Deck the Halls

Nothing says “Mele Kalikimaka” better than a fresh tropical wreath, and Sweet Leilani Florist can design one exactly to your specifications. Choose from traditional Christmas greens such as noble and silver tip fir, pine, cedar, juniper and holly, or go for a Hawaiian look with ti leaves, lauae ferns, orchids and bird of paradise. The wreath in the accompanying photo features red anthuriums, off-white mini calla lilies and red Christmas balls. Berries, ferns and dried pods also can add a festive touch of aloha.

Wreaths run from $75 to $350. Address: Sweet Leilani Florist, 620 Dillingham Boulevard. Phone: 832-0500. Web site: www.sweetleilaniflorist.com. Many other florists on Oahu also can create beautiful holiday wreaths and bouquets.

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This is Bliss

Sharper Image is known for its really cool gadgets. For instance, take the Shiatsu Massage Bed Rest with LED Reading Light, which enables you to read in bed while enjoying a shiatsu back massage.

This handy device has an ergonomically angled backrest to ensure maximum comfort, its supportive headrest and kneading massage nodes ease muscle tension, and the built-in light moves to your desired position. By the way, LED stands for Light-Emitting Diode, which requires less power, lasts longer and doesn’t get hot like other bulbs. Even better, the Bed Rest’s cushioned armrests have a cup holder and a large side pocket, and can be folded for quick and easy storage.

The Shiatsu Massage Bed Rest costs $129.95. Address: Sharper Image, Ala Moana Center, 1450 Ala Moana Boulevard. Phone: 949-4100. Web site: www.sharperimage.com.

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Grape Expectations

’Tis the season to be jolly, so brew up a good time at Wine The Experience! First, enjoy a wine tasting there with two or three friends (it offers over 50 varietals from all over the world). Next, tweak a libation to your liking during the hands-on winemaking process. No experience is needed; you’ll receive expert guidance every step of the way and your wine will be ready to bottle in two months. When the time comes, gather up to a dozen friends, bring in some appetizers and have a bottling party! You can throw the party as a gift or give away your bottles of wine, complete with personalized labels, at Christmas next year.

Prices range from $330 to $420 per barrel. One barrel produces 28 to 30 bottles of wine, so the cost averages from $11 to $15 per bottle. Address: Wine The Experience, 1016 Kapahulu Avenue. Phone: 738-0738. Web site: www.winetheexperience.com.

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Best in Show

Few shows light up the stage or the audience’s faces like “A Merry Christmas with Friends & Nabors,” the star-studded holiday revue that Naborly Productions has presented at Hawaii Theatre since 1996. This year will be bittersweet, however, as the show marks its tenth and final run. Jim Nabors, Jimmy Borges, Karen Keawehawaii and Emma Veary will be among the over 100 entertainers who’ll incorporate marionettes, hula, tap dancing and more in their memorable interpretations of favorite Yuletide tunes. Director Jon Rampage, Music Director Matt Catingub and the Hawaii Theatre Orchestra round out the stellar cast.

“A Merry Christmas with Friends & Nabors” will be staged December 15-17. Ticket prices range from $25 to $75; discounts are available for seniors, students and military personnel. Address: Hawaii Theatre, 1130 Bethel Street. Phone: 528-0506. Web site: www.hawaiitheatre.com.

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Rock On

The Koele Rocker from Martin & MacArthur is the Rolls-Royce of rocking chairs. Harking back to the Hawaii of the 1930s and ’40s, it is crafted from koa and backed with cane or upholstered with your choice of fabric. Elegant curved lines and hand-carved pineapples complete the island look, and the thick seat cushion is a much-appreciated nicety. Each Martin & MacArthur piece is fashioned by a highly skilled craftsman, ensuring close attention to detailing and finishing.

The $3,920 Koele Rocker is available by special order; call 845-6688. Martin & MacArthur has two showrooms: Ala Moana Center, 1450 Ala Moana Boulevard (941-0074) and the Hyatt Regency Waikiki Resort & Spa, 2424 Kalakaua Avenue, Suite 112 (923-5333). Web site: www.martinandmacarthur.com.

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Heaven Scent

At a Chemistry Bath and Body scenting party, your group can whip up your very own lotions and potions! Select the fragrances, colors and beauty products you want, and helpful personnel will provide the blending instructions. Your formula may include old favorites such as gardenia, pikake or honeysuckle, or you may opt for something different—how about mojito, cranberry fig or coco coriander? Whatever you choose, you’ll leave with products that are totally unique, totally yours! Chemistry offers over 100 scents and over 25 products so the combinations are virtually endless.

Two- to three-hour scenting parties cost $25 person, including vials of body wash, shampoo, conditioner and lotion. Custom packages start at $30 per person, and include more and/or other products. There’s a minimum of four and a maximum of eight people for parties held during store hours (Monday through Friday, 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.; Saturday, 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.; and Sunday, 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.). After hours, nine to 20 people can be accommodated at no extra cost. Address: Chemistry Bath and Body, 1421 South King Street. Phone: 949-1688. Web site: www.chemistrybathandbody.com.

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All Ears

Audio books aren’t only for people with vision problems. They make free time fly by, housework less of a chore, and long car or plane trips a breeze. Borders has hundreds of options in its inventory, from classics to current best-sellers. New arrivals include To Kill A Mockingbird read by Sissy Spacek and Lisey’s Story, the latest thriller from Stephen King.

Most audio books are on CD and cost between $20 and $30—about the same as their print counterparts. Sets run up to $75. Titles can be special ordered in about a week. Borders has six stores on Oahu: Ward Centre, 591-8995; Pearlridge, 487-1818; Waikele, 676-6699; Borders Express: Waikiki, 922-4154; Windward Mall, 235-8044; and Mililani, 623-2138. Web site: www.bordersstores.com.

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Good Company

We all want to be there for our loved ones, but when that’s not possible, it’s comforting to know help is at hand for those in need whether it’s for just a few hours a few times a week or round the clock every day. Hawaii HealthCare Professionals’ Personal Care Assistants do everything from laundry, vacuuming, and cleaning the bathroom and kitchen to preparing meals, assisting with grooming, and escorting clients to appointments and outings.

Wilson Homecare’s Home Companions kokua with errands and activities such as grocery shopping, banking, gardening, making crafts, playing cards or just providing company. Home Assistants do all of these things plus assist with meal preparation and light housekeeping.

Rates for Hawaii HealthCare Professionals’ Personal Care Assistants are $17.75 per hour on weekdays and $19.75 per hour on weekends with a three-hour minimum per day. Wilson Homecare charges $16.50 per hour for Home Companions and $18.50 per hour for Home Assistants based on a minimum of four hours per day. Address: Hawaii HealthCare Professionals, 707 Richards Street.

Phone: 531-8177. Web site: www.hhcpcaring.com. Wilson Homecare, 1311 Kapiolani Boulevard. Phone: 596-4486. Web site: www.wilsonhomecare.net.

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Picture This

Mugs, T-shirts, mousepads, clocks, checkbook covers, light switches, puzzles, candy tins, wallets, jewelry—Tom Terrific’s can turn dozens of items into truly unique gifts. E-mail digital images to cborges732@aol.com or drop off prints, transparencies or a CD of photos at the store and staffers will size them to fit the items you select. Christmas ornaments are very popular. Or consider transferring a favorite picture onto a pendant or charm bracelet and placing it in a personalized jewelry box. With a turn-around time of just three days, even last-minute shoppers can have one-of-a-kind keepsakes wrapped and ready by Christmas.

Personalized items range from $4.25 to $52.95. Address: Tom Terrific’s, 2961 East Manoa Road, Suite D. Phone: 988-1556. Web site: www.tomterrifics.com.

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Weighing In

Do you know many calories are in the fruitcake that you so love? The Salter Nutritional Scale from Williams-Sonoma can tell you. Just place it on the scale and enter its code, which is found in the accompanying guide. The LCD screen displays the weight and USDA-approved counts for calories, cholesterol, carbohydrates, protein, fat, dietary fiber and sodium. The scale contains data for hundreds of foods, and you can add up to 100 more. Another plus: It tracks dietary information for two people, allowing them to set goals, compare records and review their progress day by day.
The Salter Nutritional Scale costs $99.95. Address: Williams-Sonoma, Ala Moana Center, 1450 Ala Moana Boulevard. Phone: 951-5006. Web site: www.williams-sonoma.com.

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