2008 Holiday Gift Guide

Holiday Gift Guide ‘08

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Holiday Gift Guide 2008

Santa Monica Daily Press

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Holiday Gift Guide 2008

Santa Monica Daily Press

BRANDON WISE BRANDONW@SMDP.COM

AROUND TOWN Santa Monica is home to some of the best shopping in Southern California

BY TAYLOR VAN ARSDALE SPECIAL TO THE DAILY PRESS

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here’s no better place to begin your 2008 holiday shopping season than Santa Monica. Between the Third Street Promenade, Main Street and Montana Avenue you’re sure to find something for everyone on your holiday shopping list.

The beautiful open-air promenade starts at Wilshire and stretches three blocks ending at Broadway. Along with its original boutiques, newsstands, coffee shops, restaurants and jewelry stores, the promenade features national retailers like Old Navy, Victoria’s Secret, Banana Republic, Pottery Barn, Anthropologie and the A/X Armani Exchange.

And don’t forget, despite the construction at the soon-tobe improved Santa Monica Place, Macy’s is still open and has great bargains beginning the day after Thanksgiving.

Main Street shopping begins at the intersection of Main and Pico Boulevard. As you head south on quaint Main Street you’ll find a wide array of eclectic boutiques, snack shops, surf wear apparel, and art galleries all the way to Rose Avenue.

A stroll down scenic Montana Avenue (starting at 17th Street) provides residents and out-of-towners alike with upscale (but often affordable) gifts, apparel and accessories.

MONTANA AVENUE Holiday shopping wouldn’t be complete without a trip to the newly opened Williams-Sonoma on Montana Avenue.

This year, look for their 10th anniversary commemorative Peppermint Bark tin. This customer favorite combines layers of white and dark Guittard chocolate finished with a snowfall of peppermint candy bits to create a perfect harmony of flavors, just $26.50 for a 1 lb. box. A 2 lb. Dale and Thomas gourmet popcorn tin retails for $35. The four flavors include white and dark chocolate, peanut butter and toffee.

Williams-Sonoma takes the hassle out of the holiday preparation by supplying pre-packaged specialty food items and mixes such as their turkey gravy base and Harvest

Blend stuffing.

“This year we’ve partnered with La Brea bakery to create the perfect mixture of bread and spices,” said General Manager Louis Schillace.

Traditional desert mix favorites include hot chocolate, and the Sprinkles cupcake mix which comes in tempting flavors of red velvet, vanilla, lemon and dark chocolate ($14 per tin).

There’s also convenient free parking behind the store.

Number One Beauty Supply has Kneipp Essential Bath Oils as well as the latest in skin and hair care products. Give the gift of Bliss Spa products; guaranteed to melt away holiday stress and keep you feeling calm. Number One’s the best place for scented soaps, candles and hard-to-find beauty products.

ever before — a terrific gift for any outdoor enthusiast.

With Southern California’s temperate climate it’s not unusual to have hot weather in December. REI also sells kites and Frisbees for a breezy holiday beach outing.

Pet lovers take heart. Three Dog Bakery on Santa Monica Boulevard and Fourth Street is a fun, friendly place to buy nutritious natural treats for your pooch. Owner Rocky Keever has prepackaged holiday gift baskets filled with an assortment of delectable fresh baked goodies. Prices range from $25 — $100.

Amidst the dog treats is a boxed item labeled “We Pity The Kitties” an all-natural chicken, salmon or lobster treat for felines. Keever admits, “We are a dog store but that’s our second best selling item.”

THIRD STREET PROMENADE AND DOWNTOWN Getting your wife or girlfriend a gift? Try Victoria’s Secret for their signature flannel slippers ($25) and matching plaid pajamas ($59.50) or a sexy silk kimono ($98). For better savings, wait until the day after Thanksgiving for PINK, the store’s biggest sale of the year.

Old Navy has affordable fleece hoodies, men’s wear, scarves, gloves and great budget-friendly holiday gift items.

For the fashion forward gal Bebe and Forever 21 always have the latest in trends.

Think beyond the traditional. Nothing says, “Happy Holidays” like a gift certificate to a spa and nothing feels better than a little bit of pampering.

According to their Web site, “At ONE the Spa in Santa Monica you will find an extensive menu of custom treatments from Ole Henriksen designed to relax, revitalize and restore your body and mind.”

Kenneth George Total Image Spa on Wilshire and 18th Street offers facials, massage and body scrubs. Try or buy a relaxing 85-minute Sanctuary Massage ($140) for yourself or someone special.

For the guy who likes to get away from it all, REI carries portable GPS devices. The Garmin eTrex starts at $110 making this revolutionary technology more affordable than

MAIN STREET Want vintage European clothing, but can’t afford the trip across the pond? Step into Paris 1900 for fully restored antique gowns, romantic finery and one-of-a-kind bridal dresses from the 1900s.

Whether you’re looking for a book, a piece of furniture, a vintage china set, or a novelty item like a T-shirt, hoodie, book, or even a seahorse necklace, there’s a unique gift to be found at Clever On Main. Friday Night owner Radka Opalka hosts “Retail Therapy” indulging patrons in late night shopping and cocktail sipping.

Sweets for the sweet? Try Chocolat for fine European chocolates. Sure to be a hit at any holiday party.

Patagonia provides high quality outerwear for the active individual. And for surfers and skateboarders, there’s ZJ Boarding House and Horizon’s West Surf Wear. Both stores carry a wide array of gift gear such as skateboards, surfboards and surf wear.

Can’t decide on what to buy? No worries. Gift certificates make great stocking stuffers. Starbucks, Blockbuster Video and most major retailers offer this viable alternative to the boxed gift. news@smdp.com

Holiday Gift Guide 2008

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PAJAMAS GREAT FOR PARENTS AND KIDS THIS HOLIDAY

BY LISA A. FLAM ASSOCIATED PRESS WRITER

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et ready for a pajama party. PJs look to be a popular gift this holiday season, as families struggling with high heating bills are bundling up at night, and older kids have turned sleep pants into cool daywear.

“I can’t afford to buy gifts just for fun,” said Lisa Jenkins, who has lowered the temperature at her Clarkston, Wash., home and is cutting back on presents for her children amid the weak economy. “Pajamas will keep them warm and will give them the Christmas stuff they’re used to.”

Jenkins, 40, says she likes to buy PJs that reflect the personalities and interests of her 14-year-old son and 21-year-old daughter, who like to wear pajamas both at home and outside.

Marshal Cohen, chief industry analyst at market research firm The NPD Group, predicts sales of pajamas for those under age 25 could rise by 5 to 6 percent this holiday season, while other categories of kidswear may fall as much as 5 percent.

“It’s Mom and Dad saying I want to keep my kids warm and the kids saying it’s cool to get me those,” Cohen says.

In Midlothian, Va., Sarah Maloy’s sons, ages 5, 7 and 10, have inherited her childhood tradition of wearing new PJs on Christmas morning and posing for a family photo at the top of the staircase.

Each year, they get two new pairs of pajamas, one from each set of grandparents. With a heating bill up 40 percent this year, Maloy is lowering their around-the-clock temperature from 72 degrees to 66. And she’s asking the grandparents for warmer fleece instead of cotton.

“Our gifts of pajamas have become even more useful,” said Maloy, 41.

“Now it’s really a necessity, because no one wants to be cold.”

Many kids are happy to get new, cool styles and like to walk their pajama pants right out the door for school or play.

“They’re still a big request,” says Patty Corn, 48, whose five children ages 12 to 24 wear the pants out of the house. “It’s not just a practical, utilitarian thing. There’s trends involved with PJ pants.”

Corn, of Allendale, N.J., is buying animal print pants for her 14- and 19-

year-old daughters. Her sons, ages 12, 22 and 24, will likely get flannel, possibly with a sports or college logo.

“For the girls, they’re going to be really excited about it,” says Corn, adding that to them, the pants count as a good gift.

The choices seem endless. Younger children can be easily pleased with PJs featuring their favorite character, and like to wear them as a costume or to school on pajama day. Teenagers and their younger tween siblings are asking for PJs pants with plaids, stripes, bold colors and funny expressions, Cohen said.

Boys’ sleep pants with skulls, bulldogs and snowboarders can be found at gapkids.com, while girls’ prints feature stars and princesses. Victoria Secret’s Pink line has pants with large checks in black and white with metallic thread, and others with small polka dots, hearts and plaids.

The PJs as streetwear trend emerged over the last two years for older kids and dropped to the preteen market for kids as young as 9 this year, said Cohen.

“It’s the ultimate in casualization,” Cohen said. “We’ve seen casual reach the all-time limits. It’s taking fashion to an extreme.”

Many kids love the comfort of PJs, and the convenience of just being able get up and go. “They love being able to leave the house in warm, snuggly stuff,” Jenkins said.

All this talk about keeping warm during a winter of hard times and purchasing practical gifts has Kelly Rice remembering Christmas when she was a kid. One of five siblings, she grew up in a New York City suburb with parents who themselves were children of the Great Depression.

“PJs and slippers were almost always under the tree,” says Rice, 53, of Bell Canyon, Calif. “Keeping the thermostat down low was the family holiday tradition. Perhaps we have come full circle.”

Five generations of family jewelers Custom Design • In House Manufacturing Serving the Community of Santa Monica for Five Generations Specializing in Platinum, Gold and Engagement Jewelry.

Gregory Edward Avedis

Eddie Avo

331 Wilshire Blvd. Santa Monica 310.451.1349 www.readersjewelers.com

Santa Monica Daily Press

Santa Monica Daily Press

Earth Talk By the editors of E Magazine

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Holiday Gift Guide 2008

Send comments to editor@smdp.com

PLAYING IT SAFE Dear EarthTalk: Can you recommend some sources for toys and other holiday gifts that are both safe and not harmful to the environment?

— Tracy Gately, Marblehead, MA

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iven the massive recall of toys contaminated with lead last year, let alone all the other bad news about chemicals seeping out of just about every other conceivable type of consumer item, it’s no wonder that people are nervous about what might be inside the wrapping paper this next holiday season. Luckily, growing environmental concerns — and consumer demand — means that plenty of safe and green-friendly items are available for those willing to do a little more than just walk around the closest shopping mall.

For kids’ items, Oompa Toys (oompa.com) is hard to beat. The Wisconsin-based company offers thousands of child- and Earth-safe items. On Oompa’s easy-to-use website you can buy products ranging from toys, dollhouses and stuffed animals to learning games, musical instruments and art supplies to kitchen play accessories, kids’ furniture and tricycles, many items made with organic or recycled materials.

Another interesting online source for kids’ toys is Washington-based Earthentree (earthentree.com), which sells dozens of pull toys, rattles, stackers and other goodies to stimulate young hands and minds. All of their products are handcrafted by “fair trade” (fairly compensated) artisans in India using sustainably harvested wood and natural vegetable-based dyes. And Hazelnut Kids (hazelnutkids.com) specializes in natural, earth-friendly wooden and organic cotton toys for kids and babies, and even offers gift-wrapping with recycled and recyclable paper.

For grown-up gifts, EcoArtware (eco-artware.com) sells a variety of items made from recycled and natural materials, from bath and kitchen accessories to pet products to jewelry, including many hand-made items. Everybodygreen (everybodygreen.com) is another good source for green-friendly jewelry. The company’s No Plastic charm bracelets are made with corn starch-based resin, natural herbal tea dye and recycled brass. For those holiday parties you might be attending, wine aficionados might appreciate a bottle of Boisset Family Estates’ Yellow Jersey pinot noir (yellowjerseywine.com), which comes from France in a 100 percent recycled (and recyclable) plastic bottle.

Looking for fair trade arts and crafts? Gifts with Humanity (giftswithhumanity.com) sells clothing, home décor, jewelry and more from artists in Asia, Africa and Central and South America. Organic Bug (organicbug.com) also sells fair trade items and other natural and organic products from clothing to home décor items to travel accessories. Other websites worth visiting for fair trade and/or green-friendly gifts include peacefulvalleygreetings.com, greenfeet.com, pristineplanet.com, nokiagreenstore.com, gaiam.com, acacia.com and vivaterra.com. A simple Google search for “green holiday gifts” will turn up many more.

Another approach to the holidays, of course, for the sake of lessening one’s footprint and tightening the belt in a downturned economy, is to eschew traditional gift-giving in favor of donating to a local or national environmental group in the name of a friend or loved one.

This can be accomplished by visiting the websites of your favorite green groups and making your way to their “Donate” page, or by visiting justgive.org or worldofgood.com (by eBay), both which facilitate contributions to worthwhile charities.

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SINCE 1972 TWO LOCATIONS TO SERVE YOU 10862 Washington Blvd.

Culver City (at Girard St.) 310-202-6874

1901 Santa Monica Blvd.

Santa Monica (at 19th St.) 310-453-1928

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Santa Monica Daily Press

Holiday Gift Guide 2008

SECONDHAND, NOT SECOND BEST

BY MARIEL HOWSEPIAN SPECIAL TO THE DAILY PRESS

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hat are the rules when it comes to giving secondhand items as gifts? Secondhand doesn’t necessarily mean thrift stores, especially in Santa Monica. Occasionally at Goodwill or Salvation Army, you can find something new, with the original price tag still dangling from the sleeve. But thrift store shopping is a time consuming task, and requires a lot of patience. After a while, the experience can turn from treasure hunting to slogging through musty racks of pilled fabrics.

When shopping for gifts at a thrift store, think “Something and …” For example, say you come across a kitschy popcorn bowl for $2.99. The bowl is your “something.” Now you need your “and …”

The “and …” can be purchased at the grocery store. Microwave popcorn, a box of Twizzlers, and a DVD. Tuck the popcorn, Twizzlers, and DVD in the bowl, and wrap the whole thing up with pretty cellophane and curlicues of ribbon. Viola — and the whole gift cost less than $20. Plus, it’s much more thoughtful than a gift card.

(The same idea could be used with a secondhand set of ice cream bowls, and a new scoop, a bottle of chocolate syrup, and a jar of sprinkles.)

For children under the age of four, giving used VHS videos is a great idea. Goodwill on Santa Monica Boulevard and Sixth Street has a great selection of videos including “Elmo’s World,” “The Wiggles,” and Disney classics like “Beauty and the Beast” — each for only $1.99.

The American Cancer Society’s Discovery Shop on Wilshire Boulevard is a higher end thrift store, meaning that they carry higher quality items with higher price tags. For example, a brand new denim skirt by BCBG (without the tags) will cost you $20, a third of what you’d find it for on a discount Web site. Sometimes designers, such as One Girl Who, donate whole racks of clothing to the Discovery Shop.

Haute Seconds on Wilshire is a consignment shop with a wide range of labels, everything from Banana Republic and The Limited to Dolce & Gabbana. You could order a scarf from Hermes for $375, or you could visit Haute Seconds and purchase a new Hermes scarf in the box for $265. The store also offers a large selection of purses, and most prices are 50 to 60 percent off retail.

Fashion Therapy on Wilshire offers layaway — good to know if you want to pick up a Tiffany bracelet or Fendi baguette. Another draw is parking behind the store.

Maureen Clavin, owner of The AdDress on Wilshire, laughs when she remembers opening her first resale shop during the 1960s. Clavin says that she had a guest book, and one customer told her, “Oh honey, nobody’s going to sign this guest book because no one wants people to know they’re buying secondhand.” Clavin says, “Now it’s just the opposite. It’s the smart way to shop.”

At The AdDress, some items are secondhand, but some have never been worn. Clavin’s shop is not a consignment store. She purchases all of the stock, which makes her a savvy buyer, and she carries labels like Gucci, Chanel, Armani, Dior, and Prada. Clavin says, “We bring a lot of people to this area. People ask, ‘Where’s a good place to have dinner, a good place to have lunch, a good optometrist.’”

Clavin’s employees are funny and helpful, and The AdDress sells gift certificates and offers gift-wrapping.

When giving a secondhand gift, don’t apologize; a gift is supposed to make someone feel special, and nothing will wreck that faster than “I’m sorry, but …”

Also, don’t give secondhand gifts to casual friends; whereas your family may understand your gift was filled with thoughtfulness and creativity, acquaintances will just see you as cheap.

Another idea is to write the story of the gift on a card. Explain where you got the gift, and how it made you think of the recipient.

Lastly, always package a secondhand gift with beautiful wrapping. A beautiful gift shows that you gave of your time. You can always make more money. What you can’t get back is time. news@smdp.com

Santa Monica Daily Press

Holiday Gift Guide 2008

West Dressed Mariel Howsepian

Send comments to editor@smdp.com

SHOPPING FOR HIM W

hat is Christmas without Santa-themed lingerie? As of mid-November, Victoria’s Secret had no Saint Nick knickers and, as one salesgirl told me, no sign they would be receiving faux-fur trimmed red bras and panties. The salesgirl also said that I was the 10th person to ask.

“They’re trying to go for a more ‘sophisticated’ look,” the salesgirl said, making quotation marks with her fingers when she said the word “sophisticated.”

“Right,” I said. “‘Sophisticated.’”

The closest thing Victoria’s Secret offers in terms of holiday undies is from their line called Intimissimi, a ridiculously long, hard to spell, hard to pronounce, sophisticated name — as sophisticated as a Starbuck’s “venti.”

The name Intimissimi is supposed to make me think of Italy, but all I can think of is learning to spell Mississippi in elementary school: M – I – squiggle – squiggle – I – squiggle – squiggle – I – humpback – humpback – I. Elementary school is not what you want to be thinking about when shopping for lingerie.

The Stampa Scozzese is red and green plaid trimmed with green lace, each bra adorned with a tiny gold bow; the Verde Bosco is evergreen trimmed with white, each bra decorated with a green bow and two tiny white snowball pom-poms. The Stampa Scozzese and the Verde Bosco come in padded plunge bras, unlined no wire triangles, camisoles, thongs, and boy shorts.

The Intimissimi line uses Italian sizing which ranges from 1 to 5, 1 being so flat chested you’re actually concave, and 5 being not even large enough to fit a fairly common size at Victoria’s Secret — mine. I’m a 34DD. I used to think I was an anomaly. I was disappointed to learn that I’m not. Lots of women are 34DD. It’s a very common size, one salesgirl told me. Who knew?

Victoria’s Secret does carry lingerie in basic red. I could always go with that, but it seems so boring. Even with the addition of a Santa hat.

Many stores are cutting back on holiday-themed merchandise this year. With spending down, businesses don’t want to be stuck with sleighfuls of clearance Christmas products on Dec. 26. Take Sephora for example. The store, which carries every major makeup brand you can think of, is decorated for Christmas and has Christmas music playing, but only one of the brands they stock has distinctly holiday-themed products.

Philosophy’s “Holiday Cookbook” is a collection of three-in-ones (one product that functions as a shampoo, shower gel, and bubble bath). The “Cookbook” comes with six 2 ounce bottles in the following scents: gingerbread, cinnamon buns, spicy pear cobbler, pumpkin spice, red velvet cake, and double rich hot cocoa. The cost is $35.

For other ways to smell good enough to eat, try Lush. The employees are as energetic as kids on Christmas morning.

One employee, Christian, literally bounced up and down explaining products to me.

Lush offers bath bombs, which fizz in the tub.

Chocolate Santa, Mr. Butterball (a vanilla and musk snowman), Lush Pud (think: plum pudding), Snowdrops (mandarin, peppermint, and grapefruit).

They range from $3.95 to $6.95.

I took home three products. One was a solid bubble bath covered in pieces of colorful tissue paper. It’s called “Christmas Morning,” because it looks the way your floor looks after everyone has opened presents. Lush employees promised that the bubble bath would produce enough bubbles to cover my entire body, produce bubbles that would last over four hours, and make my water silky smooth.

At home, I tested out my “Christmas Morning” bubble bath and dropped it in the tub. It turned the water red, and little strips of colored tissue paper floated around like confetti fish.

What do you get the man who has everything for Christmas? Well, you can start with bubble bath.

Mariel Howsepian digs black coffee, fairy tales and a man in coveralls.

She lives in Santa Monica and can be reached at Mariel_Rodriguez@antiochla.edu.

Something spicy For a spicy lather, try Lush’s “Gold, Frankincense, and Beer” bath jelly. It’s infused with anise, mandarin, and clove and costs $6.25 per quarter pound.

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Santa Monica Daily Press

Holiday Gift Guide 2008

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HOLIDAY HAPPENINGS ...

Nov. 6 — Dec. 18 MONTANA AVENUE ‘LATE NIGHT THURSDAYS’ Stores open until 8:00 p.m.

From Sixth to 17th streets in Santa Monica.

Nov. 7 — Jan. 19 ICE AT SANTA MONICA Open Nov. 7, through Jan. 19, 2009 at 1324 Fifth St. Bring back childhood memories — or create new ones — as you slice through the ice in a festive atmosphere filled with holiday cheer and balmy ocean breezes. Located at Fifth Street and Arizona Avenue, less than two blocks from the Third Street Promenade, the rink is open daily. The $10 admission includes skate rental. The rink is periodically cleared for short periods to groom the ice. If raining, the rink will remain open in light rain or drizzle conditions, closing only for heavy downpours.

Ice Rink Hours: Daily: 10 a.m. — 10 p.m.

Nov. 7 — Dec. 20 WINTERLIT ‘BEST GIFT EVER’ CHALLENGE FOR PAL What was the “Best Gift Ever” that you received? Donate that fond memory gift for one of the kids at the local Santa Monica Police Activities League (PAL). Get that happy feeling and drop off an unwrapped gift for a lucky child (ages 6-17) this holiday season. Donations accepted at: • Police Substation: 1433 Second St. • PAL: 1400 Olympic Blvd.

EDGEMAR HOLIDAY TREE Come experience the creation of the annual Shopping Cart Tree located in the patio of the Edgemar Center 2415-2449 Main St. Building of the tree will take place Nov. 16-18 and lighting and decorating will follow Nov. 19-21.

Meet artist Anthony Schmitt as the tree is being constructed. (310) 3993666.

THE VICTORIAN ‘HOLIDAY TO GO’ 2640 Main St. The Victorian helps ease the holiday madness cooking up dinners for Thanksgiving and Christmas. Pre order dinner items and pick up the afternoon before. Menus are available inside the bakery between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday. All items are individually priced. Contact: (310) 392-4956

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NOVEMBER Nov. 27 THANKSGIVING AT THE VICEROY 3:30 p.m. — 7:30 p.m. $79 per person Enjoy a gourmet four-course menu. Choose between roasted prime rib, turkey or salmon and a variety of sumptuous sides, soups and salads. For your desert — a pumpkin bread pudding or pecan chocolate tart awaits. Call the Viceroy for specifics: (310) 260-7500.

Nov. 28 SANTA MONICA PIER: FREE Enjoy a day at the pier and a visit from Santa (12 noon) at the Open House.

There’s also a holiday classic car show, and arts and entertainment for everyone. Bring an unwrapped toy for the Holiday raffle.

10 a.m. — 4 p.m.

DECEMBER Dec. 5 MONTANA AVENUE ANNUAL HOLIDAY WALK The Holiday Walk takes place Dec. 5 from 5 p.m. — 9 p.m. and is located between Seventh and 17th streets. Come visit Santa Claus, enjoy the live music, indulge in tasty holiday treats, and listen to strolling carolers to start the holiday season off with a jingle. You’re sure to find the perfect holiday gift walking down the twinkling streets lined with the finest retailers and restaurants on the Westside.

Dec. 6 ‘ALIAS SANTA CLAUS’ The Heart warming Rudie De-Carlo Holiday musical comedy Santa Monica Playhouse 12:30 p.m. and 3 p.m.

ANNUAL MAIN STREET HOLIDAY EVENT Come join in the holiday cheer at Main Street’s Annual Holiday Event on Saturday, Dec. 6. Enjoy the tree lighting event, caroling, window decorating contest, sidewalk sale and more!

TREE LIGHTING CEREMONY AT THE HERITAGE MUSEUM LAWN Come see the 6 p.m. tree lighting at California Heritage Museum (2612 Main St.) along with carolers and Santa. For information, call (310) 392-8537.

RETAILERS CELEBRATE THE HOLIDAYS ON MAIN STREET From 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. there will be free holiday parties, beverages and treats at multiple stores along Main Street. The festivities include a window decorations contest.

HOLIDAY SIDEWALK SALE ON MAIN STREET Dec. 6 — 7 from 11 a.m. – 6 p.m.

At participating businesses.

Dec. 7 THE CHORALIERS First Presbyterian Church of Santa Monica A 30-voice choral group will present a concert of holiday music featuring popular yuletide and sacred music. Admission is free. Canned goods and donations gladly accepted to benefit the OPCC Access Center of Santa Monica.

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MEET ME UNDER THE FIG TREE 3 p.m. — 7 p.m.

Fairmont Miramar Hotel, 101 Wilshire Blvd.

Enjoy complimentary tasty treats and hot cocoa under the beautiful Moreton

Bay Fig Tree. This annual community event features a silent auction benefiting the Chrysalis Foundation, music entertainment and a gingerbread city.

For more information call 310.576.7777 ext. 3235 or visit www.fairmont.com/santamonica.

‘ALIAS SANTA CLAUS’ The Heart warming Rudie De-Carlo Holiday musical comedy.

Santa Monica Playhouse 12:30 p.m. and 3 p.m.

THE ANNUAL ONE-TIME ONLY MUSICAL REVUE Santa Monica Playhouse 5:30 p.m.

DRUM CIRCLE Dec. 6 — 7; Noon – 2:30 p.m. FREE 1300 block of Third Street Promenade, center court.

Children are welcome to participate in a drum circle and create exciting inthe-moment music! Learn about rhythm while connection and communication with other participants!

Dec. 12 Charity Gift Wrap Station Dec. 12 — 14, 19 — 23; 11 a.m. – 8 p.m.

1400 block of Third Street Promenade Free shopping bags and free gift-wrapping available with a receipt from any Downtown Santa Monica business.

Dec. 13 SNOW HILL Dec. 13 — 14; 10 a.m. — 7 p.m. FREE 1400 block of Third Street Promenade Come frolic in real snow and participate in games and contests!

CAROUSEL HOLIDAY OPEN HOUSE Looff Hippodrome, Santa Monica Pier Time: TBD Free rides Call: 310-458-8901 for more information.

HEARTFELT OPEN HOUSE AT THE SANTA MONICA PIER PARKING LOT Get ready for a fabulous day of holiday fun. There’s a petting zoo, pony rides, face painting and even pictures with Santa.

11 a.m. – 3 p.m.

‘ALIAS SANTA CLAUS’ The Heart warming Rudie De-Carlo Holiday musical comedy Santa Monica Playhouse 12:30 p.m. and 3 p.m.

31ST ANNUAL SANTA MONICA-VENICE CHRISTMAS RUN & WALK (Rain or Shine) benefiting Harvest Home - Where New Lives Begin 10K and 5K runs starting 7:30 a.m. and 9 a.m.

Start & Finish on Barnard Way; just South of Ocean Park Blvd.

FREE RACE PARKING at 2600 Bernard Way SANTA’S CANDY CANE PARADE Citywide 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Seated on a fire truck and escorted by police vehicles, Santa will make the rounds to various Santa Monica parks and the Third Street Promenade.

MARINA DEL REY 46TH ANNUAL HOLIDAY BOAT PARADE Festively decorated boats illuminate the Marina’s main channel in one of the Marina’s most visually exciting events. This year’s theme is “Santa Claus is Coming to Town.” Santa will be at the Burton Chase Park between 3 p.m. and 4 p.m.

Dec. 13 Boat Parade, 6 p.m. — 8 p.m., a traditional fireworks display kicks

SEE CALENDAR PAGE 10

Santa Monica Daily Press

Holiday Gift Guide 2008

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Holiday Gift Guide 2008

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Santa Monica Daily Press

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FROM CALENDAR PAGE 8 off the evening at 5:55 p.m. Fireworks site is on the jetty near the entrance of the main channel. Best viewing from Burton Chace Park & Fisherman’s Village. To volunteer call: (310) 670-7130.

Dec. 14 WESTCHESTER ANNUAL HOLIDAY PARADE Loyola and Manchester Time: TBD Old-fashioned street parade with local civic and youth groups & school children.

NEW MENU ITEMS TUSCAN GRILLED CHICKEN CHICKEN SPINACH AND APPLE SALAD BBQ RIBS

Come be a part of “Our Family” and see why your Santa Monica IHOP is perfect for your family meal.

‘ALIAS SANTA CLAUS’ The Heart warming Rudie De-Carlo Holiday musical comedy Santa Monica Playhouse 12:30 p.m. and 3 p.m.

THE ANNUAL ONE-TIME ONLY MUSICAL REVUE Santa Monica Playhouse 5:30 p.m.

Dec. 16 ENCHANTED LUNCHTIME THEATRE Mommy (or Daddy) and Me Interactive Holiday Fairytale Theatre Santa Monica Playhouse, 1211 Fourth St. 11:30 am

Dec. 18 Hours: 6:30am - 10:00pm Daily / Christmas Day Open 7:00am - 2pm (310) 829-9597 • Christmas Eve Open 7:00am - 6pm 1920 Santa Monica Blvd. (Corner of 20th & Santa Monica Blvd)

‘A DAY WITHOUT A BAG’ Heal the Bay sponsors this consciousness raising event. If you go into participating stores you will get a FREE reusable bag. For a list of participating stores go to Healthebay.org/nobagday

Dec. 19 CAROLERS Dec. 19 — 21, and 24; 5:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. FREE Carolers dressed in Dickens-style costumes with a repertoire of almost 80 songs will share their gift of music this holiday season. Enjoy the finest Christmas Carolers in the Los Angeles area as you shop in Downtown Santa Monica.

Dec. 20

Handcrafted , Functional and Decorative Art Jewelry, Gifts

TIDE POOL CRUISER Dec. 20 — 21; 10 a.m. – 8 p.m. FREE 1200 block of Third Street Promenade Experience the Travelin’ Tide Pool touch tank! Make a physical connection with some of the creatures from the sea, including live sea stars, hermit crabs, kelp, sea urchins and sea cucumbers displayed as an example of what constitutes a marine ecosystem.

‘ALIAS SANTA CLAUS’ The Heart warming Rudie De-Carlo Holiday musical comedy Santa Monica Playhouse 12:30 p.m. and 3 p.m.

Dec. 21 ‘ALIAS SANTA CLAUS’ The Heart warming Rudie De-Carlo Holiday musical comedy Santa Monica Playhouse 12:30 p.m. and 3 p.m.

THE ANNUAL ONE-TIME ONLY MUSICAL REVUE Santa Monica Playhouse 5:30 p.m.

MENORAH LIGHTING CEREMONY Dec. 21 — 28, 2008; Sundown FREE 1200 block of Third Street Promenade Local synagogues will host our community Menorah Lighting Ceremony each of the eight nights of Chanukah.

Dec. 28 THE ANNUAL ONE-TIME ONLY MUSICAL REVUE Santa Monica Playhouse 5:30 p.m.

Dec. 31 NEW YEAR’S EVE FIREWORKS Fireworks shot from the south jetty light up the sky over Marina del Rey on New Year's Eve. Beginning at 11:59 p.m. and 30 seconds, one firework will be shot into the air each second, counting down to midnight when a five-minute fireworks show will burst across the night sky. Fireworks can be seen from almost anywhere in the marina. Free.

(310) 305-9545

1726 6 OCEAN N PARK K BLVD..

Santaa Monicaa (Between n 17th h andd 18th h Street)

(310)581-5150

36TH ANNUAL A PLAYHOUSE NEW YEAR’S EVE Features songs, dances and comedy Shows at: 6:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m.

Santa Monica Playhouse

Jan. 1 VENICE PENGUIN SWIM CLUB ANNUAL SWIM Annual "chilly" wintertime swim. Take Venice Boulevard to the beach. Event takes place north of Venice Boulevard and south of Windward Avenue. Swim starts at noon. Call (310) 390-5700.

Santa Monica Daily Press

11

Holiday Gift Guide 2008

GOING OLD-SCHOOL WITH IT

BY KIM COOK FOR THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

T

he old-fashioned look is evergreen for Christmas tree ornaments. “Santas, snowmen, all of the aged-looking silver and white ornaments remain strong favorites,” says Susan Coogan, buyer for Seasons Too, a Larchmont, N.Y., store. “Even if people have more modern homes, they often like to do something traditional with their Christmas decor.”

Stores are stocked with glittery bottlebrush trees, and snow-crusted cottages, cherubic children, angels and Father Christmases crafted from papier-mache. They’re not old, yet they have an Old World look.

For collectors, however, there’s nothing like owning truly vintage ornaments to evoke traditions and recall times past.

It’s getting harder to find those treasures. Antique ornaments flooded the marketplace in the early days of eBay, providing sellers with record prices, and delighting buyers with variety and availability. In the last decade, however, the glut began driving prices down.

Now, says John Lightner, author of “Christmas Rarities,” a self-published book about German glass ornaments, “You rarely see very large collections (for sale) anymore. Those who have them usually keep them.”

Still, finds can be had the old-fashioned way — by prowling antiques shows, flea markets, and estate and tag sales — and, yes, even on the Internet.

Systems analyst Diane Faglon is an avid collector with her husband, Tom. They have over 1,500 ornaments — enough to fill nine trees and numerous display surfaces in their East Coast home each Christmas.

Faglon says that in the last five years, very old ornaments have become difficult to find, and dealers are asking top dollar for ones in less than good condition.

“What you’ll usually find in flea markets are 1950-’70 Shiny Brite ornaments,” she said.

Shiny Brites were the ubiquitous tree ornaments made in America from the 1930s through the 1950s by Max

Eckhard. He was an importer who struck a deal with Corning Glass to adapt their light bulb manufacturing equipment to make Christmas balls. The assembly line produced hundreds of thousands of balls, which Eckhard’s Shiny Brite operation then embellished.

The bright colors — pink, blue, red and green — had mass appeal, and F.W. Woolworth sold the ornaments for just a few cents each, or in inexpensive boxed sets.

The sheer volume of the original production is what has kept supply of vintage Shiny Brites steadier than that of imported, handmade decorations. Shiny Brites can often be found in their original cardboard cartons at antique shows or auctions. There are a few birds and other shapes, but mostly you’ll see plain and starburst-centered balls, often flocked with “snow.”

In 2001, designer Christopher Radko began reproducing Shiny Brites. The new ones, manufactured overseas, are wonderfully done but are obviously recent. Vintage Shiny Brites will have patina and wear. (Plain ones made during WWII likely won’t have a hook cap because when metal was rationed, the caps were made from cardboard, which didn’t last long.)

Sought-after vintage ornaments fall into several categories, says Boston-area appraiser Irene Austin-Gillis. They include antique angels and Santas; bisque figures made of unglazed porcelain; glass bead garlands; papier-mache standing figures or belsnickles (Father Christmas would be an example); chromolithographs, or colored prints made from original art; ‘20s and ‘30s glass ornaments depicting famous people or objects like trains, zeppelins and airplanes; electric tree lights; and paper ornaments.

Paper ornaments manufactured in Dresden, Germany, from the late 1880s through the 1930s “are probably the most valued of all ornaments and the most difficult to collect,” says Michael Rhoades, past president of Golden Glow, an international organization of antique ornament collectors.

“One of their attractions to collectors is they don’t break as easily as a glass ornament, and they tend to be far more detailed,” says Rhoades, of Middleton, Wis.

Beware of fakes when paying antique prices For those interested in buying antique ornaments, the experts have a few tips: • Be wary of reproductions. While many were created not to deceive but to pay tribute to the originals, there are unscrupulous people who will try to pass off a clever fake. At www.vintagechristmas.com, the advice is first and foremost to be sure of your source.

“Buy from a dealer who knows Christmas ornaments. Generalists who are just reselling a few items may themselves be unable to tell originals from the reproductions,” the site warns.

• Read up on the subject. “I have well over 100 books on nothing but antique Christmas items that I constantly refer back to,” says Michael Rhoades, past president of Golden Glow, an organization of antique ornament collectors.

• If an antique ornament is in pristine condition, that’s a red flag. As a rule, people weren’t particularly careful handling ornaments.

Baubles were hung with metal hooks that often left scratches. They often were wrapped in acidic newspaper and cardboard, and stored in attics or basements where they were subject to the ravages of humidity, insects, rodents and, above all, time.

• If you’re buying from an Internet source, vet it by asking to check with previous buyers, or by consulting an ornament collectors club.

• “People should buy what they love, not what they hope will increase in value,” says Boston-area appraiser Irene Austin-Gillis.a

Dresdens were usually flat, but some had tiny silk bags or pullout cylinders concealing a little gift or candy.

“Second on the list I’d place both kugels, which were the earliest of the glass ornaments, and figural glass ornaments,” Rhoades says. “Victorian wire-wrapped and homemade ornaments are also highly collectible.”

Cotton ornaments from the 1890s and wax ones from the 1820s are sought after, too. And finally, Rhoades describes what may be the Holy Grail for ornament collectors: “The rarest of all ornaments are called Sebnitzes,” he says. “They were made from the material that was left over when sequins were punched out.”

None are longer than 4 inches and most are vehicles: cars, wagons, and baby buggies holding inch-long wax infants. “They were adorned with Dresden trim, cotton or paper materials, and sometime glass beading.”

12

Holiday Gift Guide 2008

Santa Monica Daily Press