170 holiday gift ideas
Whether you want to stretch your dollars or splurge, we’ve got a gift for every budget.
Whether you want to stretch your dollars or splurge, we've got a gift for every budget.
Gifts under $10
Custom planters
For a last-minute gift that will last all year, stop by the arrangement bar at Rolling Greens in Culver City or Hollywood for a custom planter. Arrangements start as low as $10 depending on what plants you choose on site and you are free to bring in your own vessel. 9528 Jefferson Blvd. Culver City, 7505 Beverly Blvd., Los Angeles, www.rollinggreensnursery.com.
'Travel: The Guide'
Here's a digital stocking stuffer for the thinking traveler: Doug Lansky's e-book "Travel: The Guide" (274 pages) is a text-light, illustration-heavy volume full of jarring facts, provocative questions and clever juxtapositions. Lansky says he was inspired by the irreverent, photo-centric approach of Colors magazine (founded in 1991), and that's our gain. Ideal reading while waiting to catch a plane, train or automobile. Info: $4.99. Available from Amazon, iTunes, Barnes & Noble and other online merchants.
Stainless steel bench scraper
A great multi-purpose tool in the kitchen, a bench scraper is a simple thing, really. True to its name, the bench scraper is perfect for scraping your work surface clean. Whether you're cleaning up after kneading a batch of dough, shaving tempered chocolate or collecting all your freshly minced carrots, a scraper's wide edge makes quick work of it. It also works well when you're portioning dough for rolls or cutting cookie logs. This stainless steel version is heavy-duty with a nice grip at the top and a handy measure at the bottom. $6.95 from Amazon.com.
Cell Lock-up phone Box
How's this for novelty? A holiday feast without any cellphone interruptions? No teenagers looking at their texts? No executives surreptitiously checking email? The Cell Lock-Up is a goofy item, with a goofy ad line: "because interrupting family time is a crime." But it might just be goofy enough to get everyone to put their phones in the gray plastic jail cell and set the timer for some holiday family time. $8 to $20 at Amazon.com and Bed, Bath and Beyond.
Ice shot glasses
Now that you're an adult, you need to take shots of liquor the proper way. There's no more shooting back room-temperature shots of vodka out of a Dixie cup in someone's dorm room. Show your friends you've grown up, even if it's just a little, with these shot glass ice molds for icy cold shots every time. They're the perfect gift for the recent college grad or for the lifelong shot-taker in all of us. $8.20 for four at Amazon.com.
Wallet Ninja
The Wallet Ninja is a slick and skinny stocking stuffer for the Inspector Gadget on your list. The rugged steel device packs 18 tools into one credit-card-size gadget that slides easily into a traveler's wallet. The Ninja includes a can opener, letter opener, bottle opener, nail puller, box cutter, cellphone stand, fruit peeler, screwdrivers in four sizes, rulers and six hex wrenches. Probably most ingenious of all is the cellphone stand that lets you prop up the device so you can watch movies. Info: $9.99, www.walletninja.com
The Pee Pocket
This is a really inexpensive gender equalizer. Men have it easy out in the wild when nature calls, and now this product makes things better for women. It's a small, single-use folded cardboard funnel that can be stored in its plastic cover and disposed of after use. Comes with a tissue too. $1.75, www.thepeepocket.com.
Snow Peak spork
When you're backpacking, every ounce counts, and this 1/2-ounce multipurpose utensil is a useful addition to any trek. The spork, from the Oregon-based company that makes lots of outdoor gear, is titanium and comes in four anodized colors, including silver. It will discolor if place directly in the campfire flame, though in the drought, campfires are less common. About $10 at REI and other outdoors stores and at snowpeak.com.
Spices
You, of course, have a brilliantly appointed spice cabinet, stocked with all the mastic, fennel pollen and Iranian saffron you need. Your friends, on the other hand, may not be quite so lucky, and who wouldn't be happy to receive a set of spices customized to enhance the perfumes of Tunisian cooking, or a small collection of chiles — raisiny Turkish urfa, fiery Thai bird peppers, smoky chipotle — to sprinkle on grilling meat. There is no better place in Los Angeles to assemble a collection of spices than Spice Station in Silver Lake. Various prices at www.spicestationsilverlake.com.
Gifts $10 to $25
Atomic horseradish
Nancy Silverton raved about this in one of her Master Class columns. It's as good as she promised — just the right blend of sinus-clearing and sweet. It's the horseradish we've always wanted other horseradishes to be like. Keep a couple for yourself and give the rest as gifts. Put the "warming" back in housewarming. $11.97 for three (6-ounce) jars, at Amazon.com.
Harry Barker dog treats
Harry Barker recycled steel tin filled with mac-and-cheese-flavored dog treats. $12 at Harry Barker.
Carrot spoon and fork
The matching carrot spoon and fork make it fun to eat your veggies — or anything else, for that matter. They're short-handled, the better to fit those small hands, and are stocked at the Los Feliz garden and lifestyle shop Potted. $12.50 at Potted (323) 665-3861.
Nite Ize Gear Ties
Holding gear together can be a challenge, but you can attach a light to a tent ceiling or a water bottle to a backpack or your lunch to your bike with these ties made of rubber-coated wires. Gear Ties come in sizes all the way up to 64 inches, but the variety pack of eight includes sizes from 3 to 18 inches. They can be twisted or tied, and they're reusable. They also make you look organized. $13, with other sizes and prices available, at camping and sports stores and on Amazon.
Creative Galina dumbbell jewelry
Adornment for the committed fitness buff: Earrings, bracelets and necklaces sport one or more dumbbells, from Creative Galina & Co.. We love the silver bracelet that's a string of dumbbells because it's pretty and perhaps a reminder to keep fit. $13 to about $500 at www.creativegalina.com.
Bauer candlesticks
Pottery fans will enjoy Bauer's new spool candlesticks, which come in three sizes and resemble spools of thread. Available in 15 colors, the candlesticks are yet another way to mix and match Bauer's colorful ringware dishes and accessories. $14 to $18 apiece at bauerpottery.com.
W//R//F// ceramics
Designed by Nobuhito Nishigawara, this line of subtly beautiful dinnerware glazed in palest gray is made in the sculptor/potter's Orange County studio and sold at Tortoise General Store in Venice. The collection includes bowls, plates, dishes, serving bowls, pitchers, cups and mugs, and a gravy bowl. Each comes in three sizes (large, medium and small). $14 to $38 at tortoiselife.com/tortoise/artists.
Taylor digital thermometer
This handy pen-style thermometer includes a thin probe for measuring the temperature and a large LCD display for easy reading. The thermometer registers temperatures ranging from -40 degrees to 450 degrees Fahrenheit (-40 to 232 Celsius) and comes with a metal clip on the back and lanyard so you can keep it close by at all times whether cooking, baking or grilling. Easy to clean, the thermometer is made of waterproof plastic with Safe-T-Guard anti-microbial protection on the sleeve and housing. $14.41 at Amazon.com.
Charcoal grill ornament
What would your favorite grill-meister like under the tree? How about something for on the tree? Sur la Table is selling these really cool cooking-themed colored glass ornaments, including one that looks just like a Weber charcoal grill, complete with ash-pan. If that doesn't float their boat, how about one shaped like a cannoli, a package of bacon or a six-pack of beer? $15 at www.surlatable.com.
Red Boat salt
Fish sauce may be the secret to Southeast Asian cooking, and it's no secret that Red Boat fish sauce, or nuoc mam nhi, is a cult favorite among chefs. Red Boat has now added a flavored salt to its lineup, cured in mango wood barrels that have stored Red Boat Fish Sauce for more than a year. The finely grained salt adds a nice hint of umami to vegetables, meat, fish and poultry. $15 for an 8.8-ounce bag at redboatfishsauce.com.
All That Glitters candle
The Los Angeles-inspired All That Glitters candle from Sisters of Los Angeles shines whether you light it or not. $15 at www.sistersoflosangeles.com.
Umbra Hammered Head bottle opener
Umbra chrome-plated cast metal Hammered Head bottle opener/corkscrew. $15 at Black Market, Los Angeles and Umbra.
Jonathan Adler menorah
Jonathan Adler Brass Bird menorah and candles. $15 for box of 45 at Jonathan Adler Los Angeles, West Hollywood.
Graticola stovetop toaster
Fettunta is one of the world's great foods: a hunk of grilled bread drizzled with a few drops of olive oil. You'll find it as part of half the dishes at places like Tasting Kitchen and Alimento. The secret, at least at those times you don't happen to have a charcoal grill going in your kitchen, is a graticola, a perforated, mesh-topped wisp of steel that serves as a stovetop toaster. (Gas stoves only, alas.) In Italy, you can pick up a graticola at any hardware store. Here, you have to order one online. $15.99 at fantes.com.
Flight 001 eye masks
These lightweight eye masks from Flight 001 make it possible for the frequent flier on your list to get some shut-eye — and they may even elicit a smile from a grouchy seat mate. A light-eliminating insert across the bridge of the nose, soft lining and wide adjustable elastic strap make for comfortable wearing. The cotton/polyester masks are available in seven styles, printed with cat's eye sunglasses, aviators or cheery bons mots. Info: $16, www.flight001.com
Aromatherapy Associates bath and shower
Aromatherapy Associates bath and shower oil with sage, frankincense and cardamom. $17 at Beauty Habit, Westlake Village.
La Quercia Guanciale
Straight from Iowa, La Quercia's guanciale is like seriously upscale bacon made from Berkshire cross pigs. Not only don't you have to worry about the stuff spoiling (it won't last that long anyway), but you can put it in almost anything: pasta, pizza, omelets, or just shaved with bread and cornichons. $17.50 for ½ pound at www.zingermans.com, or you can upgrade to their "Acorn Edition" Tamworth for an extra 50 cents.
Pho T-shirt
Lovers of pho can declare their allegiance with this beefy 100% cotton T-shirt from Sonoma-based illustrator and wine writer Hawk Wakawaka. The hand-drawn design shows all the elements that go into a bowl of the Vietnamese soup and is available at her Etsy shop. $25 for adults, $18 for children at Etsy.com.
Deckopedia Raw Food Beginner Pack
It's nearly time for those resolutions to ramp up healthful diets, among other admirable behaviors. For some people, that might mean giving raw food a try — and not just grabbing an apple. So for loved ones who might want to take it slow, this deck of cards is a guide through the world of raw food, a world that's still pretty strange for most people. The cards include recipes (kale chips, almond milk, vegan cheese), shopping lists, techniques and more from Emilie McBride, a raw food chef. $19.95 at www.deckopedia.com.
Fresh California olive oil
Talk to Italian olive oil lovers and before very long you'll probably find them rhapsodizing about olio nuovo — the fluorescent green, vibrantly flavored just-pressed oil. Unfortunately, it's tough to find, and by the time it arrives in our stores it often has lost that freshness. Fortunately, California Olive Ranch, one of the best-value oil producers around (their Arbequina is our house pour), has a solution. Its Limited Reserve is really terrific. And it comes to market just in time for holiday giving. $19.99 for a 500 ml bottle at californiaoliveranch.com.
OXO Good Grips angled measuring cup set
OXO has made a name for itself revolutionizing a number of classic kitchen tools, and these angled measuring cups are a favorite with our Test Kitchen staff. A patented angled surface allows you to conveniently read measurement markings by looking straight down into the cup, eliminating the need to fill, check and repeatedly adjust the amount of liquid you are measuring. The set includes 1-cup, 2-cup and 4-cup measures, each fitted with a comfortable non-slip grip handle. $19.99 at www.oxo.com.
Walnut oil
If you stop by Salt & Straw these days, you can get a scoop of ice cream flavored with La Nogalera walnut oil from Rancho La Viña, a walnut farm in the Santa Rita Hills on the Central Coast. The ice cream is potent stuff, with a flavor as complex and beguiling as vanilla. But patrons of local farmers markets have known about La Nogalera for years. A bit of the oil adds toasty depth to salad dressings, sliced pears and even grilled country bread. Expensive at $20 for a quarter liter (a bit more than a cup), but a little goes a long way. $20 for ¼ liter at the Wednesday and Saturday Santa Monica farmers markets, the Sunday Hollywood farmers market and from lanogalera.com.
Hello Kitty Toaster
If you've got a hard-core Hello Kitty fan in your circle of friends (who doesn't?), he or she will appreciate this Hello Kitty toaster oven. Each morning, said fan will be able to start his or her day with Hello Kitty's sweet face browned into two slices of bread. The toaster features seven shade settings and four toasting modes, including one for Hello Kitty bagels. From $21.26 at Amazon.com.
The Spoband
The portable piece of workout equipment weighs almost nothing, takes up no space and goes everywhere. It's a smart stretchy band that comes in three resistance levels. Use it for exercises from head to toe. It comes with a poster that illustrates exercises. The band is doubled and stitched to create hand- and footholds along its length for more precise resistance. $23 to $27 at Uspromed.com.
Kidstir kits
Got a kid who is just getting interested in cooking? Kidstir may be the perfect gift. You can order either individual kits or a monthly subscription. The "Bake Me Happy" kit, for example, includes recipes for banana bread, popovers and apple crisp, with cool little background and experiment notes to play with. Included is a jar of Chocolate Swirl, a kid-sized silicone whisk and a totally irresistible silicone potholder in the shape of a puppy. $24.95 at Kidstir.
Gifts $25.01 to $50
Kitchen scale
Still not using a kitchen scale for measuring? What are you waiting for? Particularly when it comes to baking, measuring ingredients by weight is not only more accurate, it's also more revealing. When you understand the importance of the ratios of ingredients, a whole new level of experimentation is opened up to you. Widely available from $25.
'Ocean'
Love gifts that make you laugh aloud? Dare you not to at least titter when you see the yellow-banded sweetlips on the cover of "Ocean," written by Carol Kaufmann and created by Dan Kainen. What's so hilarious about a fish whose mouth the author describes as a "big blubbery piehole"? Well, this is a Photicular book, which means sweetlips moves, as does the octopus, shark, sea horse, sea turtle and more on subsequent pages. Info: $25.95, Workman Publishing, lat.ms/1zbzpA5, and at bookstores
Panforte from Emporio Rulli
Panforte is dense, chewy, a little sweet from honey and slightly bitter from cocoa, rich with winter spices and studded with candied fruit and almonds. And, as you can probably tell from that description, making it yourself is a real project. Thank goodness for Bay Area confectioner Gary Rulli. His version is among the best around. $27.50 for an 18-ounce cake at www.rulli.com.
Kate Spade New York canvas wine tote
$28 at Kate Spade New York.
Acacia wood paddles
Still using wooden spoons? Why? Paddles are so much more useful. With their flat blades, you can scrape the bottom and get into the corners of pans much more easily than you can with a rounded bowl. Cookbook author Michael Ruhlman, who has created a minor sideline creating cooking products he wished he had, sells a set of three in different sizes. Three for $29.95 at shop.ruhlman.com.
Giant Mason jar cocktail shaker
Regular Mason jars are for amateurs. Why not shake up four drinks at a time instead of one? This giant jar will help your favorite cocktail maven whip up a batch of mint juleps fit for a crowd in no time. The embossed glass Mason jar comes with a custom screw-on collar, strainer cap and lid. $29.95 at www.cooking.com.
Corti Bros. “Exquisite” Whiskey
This is a real oddball drink — not really whiskey-like at all, aged by Amador Distillery in old barrels from sweet Mission del Sol dessert wines. The result has been described as a combination of Bourbon and fortified sweet wine. One taster's description: "Easily the most exciting and unique whiskey I've tasted this year. And one of the few moments in recent memory — if not the only moment — where I've looked at the price and said, 'That's it?!'" $49.99 for a 750 milliliter bottle, $29.99 for a 375 ml bottle from Corti Bros., (800) 509-3663.
Selfie Remote Camera Shutter
Brookstone has come up with a clever solution to getting your entire gang into your school reunion selfies or capturing you and your friends in front of an amazing landmark. The Selfie Remote Camera Shutter uses a light stand that fits in your pocket and a wireless remote that doesn't require Wi-Fi or Bluetooth. The remote works up to 33 feet away, making it a snap for travelers looking to put less of themselves and more of their surroundings into their selfies. With free downloadable app. Works with Apple or Android devices. Info: $29.99, lat.ms/1s0wmq5
Stripes coasters
Coasters from Post Studio offer an irrepressibly cheerful piece of Pop Art for your tabletop. Made from birch, they are available in four designs and are coated with waterproof resin. $30 at www.postispost.com.
Pastry mat with measures
Keep your countertop clean with this non-skid silicone mat. At 24-by-16-inches, it's generous in size, including measure marks and measurement rings so you can tell right away if the pie dough you're rolling is the proper size. Perfect for cookie and pastry dough, it's even great for candy. Best of all? It's dishwasher safe. $32 at www.pamperedchef.com.
Smoked Tasmanian ocean trout
The same exquisite smoked Tasmanian ocean trout used by famed Sydney chef Tetsuya Wakuda of Tetsuya is now available from Kai Gourmet, the L.A.-based seafood company that delivers to your door. Serve the delicate smoked fish from the remote southwest coast of Tasmania on its own or on thin slices of rye — and the next morning on a bagel or bialy with cream cheese. $32.50 per 1.1-pound pack at www.kaigourmet.com.
Vim & Vigr socks
Compression socks can ease leg pain from hours of standing, but they're often far from fashionable. These black-and-white striped cuties make healthful living more appealing. $32.95, Landis Labyrinth, 140 N. Larchmont Blvd., Los Angeles, or at www.vimvigr.com.
Do-it-yourself flower-arranging
Design your own floral arrangement at Fleurish, floral designer Amy Marella's new do-it-yourself flower bar in Brentwood. Guests can select from nine custom FleurKits per season, which include everything needed for their arrangement: a vessel, flowers and specialty trimmings, plus a box for easy transport. FleurKits start at $34.95, and a 45-minute studio fee at the flower bar is $5 and may be reserved in advance. www.youfleurish.com.
WelnessBags pillow
Sometimes it's the old-fashioned solution that's the most elegant. This Los Angeles company recycles fabrics and makes pillows by hand, filling them with old-style remedies. We felt partial to one filled with eucalyptus leaves and oil and rice for texture. Use it to relieve congestion or stress or to ease headaches. Depending on your preference, it can be frozen or warmed in a microwave. Each one is unique. $35 at Mother's Markets, Whole Foods and boutiques including DeTox Market, 8380 Beverly Blvd., L.A., or find stores at www.wellnessbags.com.
Beer nerd game
Sure, your friends enjoy throwing back a couple of beers, but how much do they really know about their favorite drink? Whether they're beer experts or just casual drinkers, they can have some fun with a nerdy beer board game with questions about stouts, hops, brewing techniques and a blind taste test. $35 at Amazon.com
Wine and cheese tote
For the stylish outdoorsman or frequent Hollywood Bowl concertgoer, this tote bag is fully insulated with thermal foil and comes with a divided compartment designed to hold two bottles of wine. There's also a wooden cutting board, cheese knife, two acrylic goblets, coordinating cotton napkins and a wooden-handle corkscrew bottle opener. $38.50 at www.thewinebag.com.
You Live Once cushion
Flip the humorous cushion over and you'll find "so, think twice …" $39 at Bo Concept Los Angeles, 434 N. La Brea Ave. and Santa Monica, 328 Santa Monica Blvd. All retail stores listed at Boconcept.com.
McConnell's ice cream
Just because it's winter doesn't mean that your friends don't crave ice cream. The Santa Barbara-based, family-owned ice cream company makes custom gift packs (they ship with dry ice), so choose your favorite flavors (salted caramel chip, Eureka lemon and marionberry, Turkish coffee or holiday peppermint stick) and add a free customized message. $40 for a four-pack, $60 for a six-pack (shipping cost not included) at www.mcconnells.com.
Baker's Creek seed collections
An heirloom seed collection is a great gift idea for home gardeners — and especially for kids who want to become gardeners. Growing food from heirloom seeds is a great way to watch the growing process, then to experiment with cooking and eating your produce, but it's also a great way to learn about issues of biodiversity and sustainability. Baker's Creek, a Missouri company that specializes in non-GMO and rare seeds, has seed collections that are inexpensive starter kits or collections that run up to $1,295 for 1,000 seeds for those interested in seed preservation. $40 at www.rareseeds.com.
Haptic Lab's Sailing Ship Kite
Kids and grown ups alike will fall for Haptic Lab's sailing ship kite, which is handcrafted in collaboration with Balinese artisans. The kites make beautiful decorative objects for the home, but do indeed fly. The larger kites ("Flying Dutchman" and "Ghost" ships) are $76; the smaller designs are $40 at Haptic Lab, A+R, Poketo, and Plastica.
Jay Street Ashti pillow cover
West Elm collaborated with the Brooklyn-based Jay Street Block Print Company to design the soft velvet Ashti pillow cover, which is handcrafted by Craftmark-certified artisans in India and features hand-stitched pom pom trim. Available in four colors. $43 (pillow insert, $9) at www.westelm.com.
Aplat tote bag
This organic cotton canvas tote is just the thing for the person who is always bringing a dish to the potluck. Washable and reusable. $44 at www.aplatsf.com.
Fredericks & Mae dartboard
Fredericks & Mae silk-screened dartboard and darts. From $44 at Fredericks & Mae.
Japanese bread knife
Bakers and anyone with a serious bread addiction will appreciate this Japanese bread knife from renowned blade maker Gesshin. Extremely thin, it moves through bread easily, resulting in minimal crumbs. With hard-crusted breads, the trick is to apply as little pressure as possible in order to get an even slice. $45 at www.japaneseknifeimports.com.
Tentacle planters
Colorful Tentacle Wall Planters are a whimsical way to cheer up your favorite plant lover's interior or exterior living space. Available in three sizes as wall planters and standing planters in orange, green and blue. Starting at $45 at www.pottedstore.com.
Greenbar Distillery whiskey
Greenbar Distillery Slow Hand Six Woods Malt whiskey $46 at Bar Keeper, Silver Lake.
Farm boxes
For the aspiring chef, health foodie, or constant gardener, Malibu-based One Gun Ranch (www.1gunranch.com) offers farm boxes ($45-$350) or watering cans ($30) pre-planted with chemical-free, nutrient-rich biodynamic soil and culinary herbs, flowers, mixed lettuces or a customized planting (allow two weeks); also sold as DIY farm box kits ($60-$225) including seeds, compost, planter and instructions. To order, call (310) 456-3810.
DIY workshops
The Echo Park retail space and studio Otherwild and the Women's Center for Creative Work combine forces to host regular DIY workshops focusing on craft. In the works for January/February: tie-dye with Maricolous Textiles, basket-weaving with Nanette Sullano, basic medicine making with Homestead Apothecary and improvisational quilting with Have Company. Classes range from $45 to $130 at otherwild.com and Women's Center for Creative Work.
Geospace stilts
Stilts always seemed so cool, but they're often hard for kids to maneuver. Geospace has come up with an S-band design to make it easier for youngsters to manage. The Walkaroo Jr. Lightweight version is meant for people 110 pounds or lighter. They have foam handles, and the foot rests can be moved as the walker gets more proficient. $46.99 at Geospace and at Amazon.com.
Foreign Building Blocks
Forget ABC building blocks. Uncle Goose blocks are available in 21 languages, including Hindi, Persian and Hebrew. $47.99 at Tweak and Yolk, Uncle Goose.
Mastrad macaron baking set
If you love macarons, why not try making them yourself? And with a kit that includes a pastry bag and tips and a mold for the cookies, plus a recipe book, they're pretty foolproof — or more than you'd think for the exquisite French sandwich cookies. This is an especially great gift for the teenage girl in your life. (Bonus: Get her ingredients and food dyes too.) $49.99 at www.kitchenkapers.com.
BEM Speaker Band
A wireless Bluetooth speaker with a built-in microphone. It pairs with a smartphone to work as a speakerphone, keeping your hands free if you're dealing with, say luggage, and its buttons help you accept calls or play and pause music and switch tracks. Its square shape makes it a bit large for the wrist of most women. Info: $50, lat.ms/1A2vuWr
Tom Ford for Men beard-conditioning oil and comb
$50 at Neiman Marcus, Beverly Hills and Tom Ford.
Gifts $50.01 to $100
Pasta pot/steamer
One of the most useful pots you can own, this widely manufactured set includes a big soup pot, an insert for steaming and a colander for draining pasta. Every kitchen should have one. Even better, because you only use the base for boiling water, you don't need to spend a lot for a perfectly useful one. From various sources, $50 to $100.
E Waldo Ward "California Treasures" gift collection
Send someone the flavors of California with this gift pack of products made right in Sierra Madre. The collection includes Santa Rosa Plum Jam, Blackberry Preserves, Old Fashioned Chili Sauce (a ketchup replacement), Triple Citrus Marmalade, Pomegranate Jelly and Three Fruit Preserves (a blend of peaches, plums and apricots), all in 10-ounce jars (the chili sauce is 8 ounces). $51.70 at www.waldoward.com.
Gin-making kit
If your friend is a liquor snob, don't attempt to buy him or her just any bottle of gin for the holidays. This kit comes with a stainless steel strainer and funnel, a 2-ounce tin of botanicals, 2-ounce tin of juniper berries and two glass bottles with corks for the finished product. All your friend will need to get started is some vodka and a little creativity. We dare your gin snob friends to turn their noses up at this one. $54.95 at Williams Sonoma.
Hydroflask growler
For group and family adventures, camping and other events, this 64-ounce container keeps liquids hot or cold for impressively long periods, thanks to its double-walled insulation. Hot chocolate after cross-country skiing? Cold lemonade after a game of touch football? Of course, being a growler, it's also perfect for beer. It's lead-free and comes in brown, black and stainless steel. There are other sizes too, in lots of colors with a variety of lids. $55 at Urban Outfitters, REI and many other stores; hydroflask.com.
Rancho Gordo gift box
There are dried beans and then there are Steve Sando's Rancho Gordo beans, heirloom legumes that Sando has found, often in Mexico and Central America. This box combines five 1-pound bags of various beans, plus a cloth tote bag and an autographed copy of Sando's cookbook (full of soups, stews, posoles, etc.). $57.27 at www.ranchogordo.com.
Kate Spade sushi iPad Air case
Ask Angelenos what their favorite food is, and nine times out of 10, they'll say sushi. This iPad case is perfect for sushi fans who will appreciate a little sushi porn on the regular. Plus, sushi is expensive. So maybe your friends will appreciate this sushi-covered case in place of a $200 gift certificate to that new omakase place they've been dying to try. $59 at www.katespade.com.
Bacon crate
This is the end all, be all gift for bacon lovers. The wooden crate is stuffed with bacon jerky, bacon popcorn, bacon salt, Sir Francis Bacon peanut brittle and bacon sunflower seeds. And it comes with a mini crowbar you'll actually need to open the crate. $59.99 at www.mancrates.com.
Subscription to the Feiring Line newsletter
Wine writer and natural wine advocate Alice Feiring puts out a newsletter focused on natural, organic and biodynamic wines. Ten issues a year of Feiring's adventures in wine country, mostly in Europe, with passionate small-scale producers. It's a great read. This is one wine maven who can write. $65 for a subscription at www.alicefeiring.com.
Trophies You Deserve
So you've never won a blue ribbon? Chicago-based design studio I am Home has created a line of Trophies You Deserve. Everyday rewards include "You should have won," "At least you tried" and "Good enough." $65 at www.iamhome.us.
Soopsori Breakfast set
The 17-piece Soopsori breakfast play set is made entirely from natural wood and finished with linseed oil so that it is both child safe and environmentally friendly. The egg, sausage and toast slices can be cut in half thanks to magnetic attachments, which are safely embedded and cannot be removed or detached. Includes sausage, egg, two toast slices, four assorted breakfast nibbles, two forks, one knife, two small plates, two cups and a calico storage bag. $65 at Lost and Found.
Del Maguey single village mezcal
Widely available, Ron Cooper's single village mezcal collection under the Del Maguey label would make a fine gift for any spirits lover. We're partial to the one from Chichicapa, a village southwest of Oaxaca, for its complex smokiness and sweet tropical notes. The maker is Faustino Garcia Vasquez. For sipping, not shooting, and too fine for cocktails. $66 at www.delmaguey.com.
Spork vegan cooking classes
Always been curious about vegan cooking but maybe were a little put off by the air of solemnity that so often goes with it? That won't be a problem with Spork. Sisters Jenny Engel and Heather Goldberg may be serious about their cooking, but they also know how to make it fun. $70 at www.sporkfoods.com.
Panettone
What's not to like about receiving a panettone for the holidays? And there may be no better version of the festive sweet than the one from pastry chef Luigi Biasetto in Italy's Veneto region. It's expensive but made from a mother yeast that has been nurtured for 60 years, organic eggs, organic honey from the Alps and candied fruits from Sicily. And if you consider that a panettone is consumed over a period of days, the price doesn't seem quite as daunting. The online supplier of all things Italian and delicious, Gustiamo, is the source. $70 for a 1.6-pound pastry at www.gustiamo.com.
Red Lips iPhone case
Stella McCartney rubber Red Lips iPhone case. $75 at Stella McCartney.
Searzall
There is one Kickstarter-funded product every year that seems to capture the culinary madness of the season. This year's is probably the Searzall, a blowtorch attachment that lets you apply a perfect sear to sous-vide meat or fish in a few seconds, without the weird hydrocarbon off-taste. (If you've had blowtorch-toasted toro in a sushi bar, you know the taste.) Designed by Dave Arnold, the mad scientist behind many of WD-50's oddest creations. $75, at Amazon.com.
Hario siphon coffee maker
If you love coffee, you've doubtless gone through your share of Chemexes and French presses — as have your friends. So why not give your favorite coffee geek a siphon next? These aren't new as much as rediscovered — they were invented in Berlin in the 1830s — but you can find them in swank coffee shops and in half the stores in Tokyo. They'll make your kitchen look like a meth lab too. $77.87 for 5-cup size at Amazon.com.
Curious Chef Kids caddy collection
This handy caddy includes everything your budding little chef could need in the kitchen. The 30-piece kit includes a non-stick rolling pin, medium and large silicone mixing spoons, stainless steel whisk, nylon cookie turner, nylon frosting spreader, pastry brush, poly spoon, vegetable peeler, serving tongs, ice cream scoop, pizza cutter, medium and large silicone mixing spatulas, six-piece measuring spoon set, six-piece measuring cup set and the small, medium and large nylon plastic knives (the knives have serrated cutting edges with blunt tips that easily cut food but not skin). The tool caddy contains it all. $79.99 at Curious Chef.
Laurel skin care
Many of us are in search of more natural ingredients in our skin care products. Laurel, a Sausalito company, uses ingredients that are organic and often from California farms. The Laurel Whole Plant Organics Body Oil, with rose, cedar and rosemary, smells like a luxury spa. There also are facial products and a gift set. $80 at www.laurelskin.com and some spas.
Coral Wind Farm patterned throw
The 100% cotton knitted throw from Crane and Canopy is a warm and cozy alternative to itchy wool blankets. The throws come in 15 brightly colored Mod graphic prints and measure 50-by-60 inches. $85 at www.craneandcanopy.com.
The Gourmandise School cooking classes
Choose from a variety of classes in preparing sweets and savories (from chocolate making to Thai cooking), and learn from top local chef instructors, including Roxana Jullapat, Stefano DeLorenzo, Gill Boyd and Sonoko Sakai, in addition to in-house chocolatier Ruth Kennison. Classes are 100% hands-on unless otherwise noted. Starting at $85 at thegourmandiseschool.com.
Brass pie and cake server
British designer Tom Dixon is responsible for the turban-shaped brass hanging lamps at Orsa & Winston restaurant in downtown L.A. But he also makes some extraordinarily handsome tableware that includes bowls, platters, tea caddies — and a bright, shiny pie and cake server. Garde in Los Angeles also carries his lustrous copper-plated cocktail shaker. $85 and $135 at www.gardeshop.com.
Jonathan Adler ring holder
For anyone who has ever misplaced their rings or keys, Jonathan Adler's adorable brass elephant ring holder is the perfect accessory for stashing jewelry or other small items. $88. The polished brass series, which over time will develop a rich natural patina, also includes a dachshund ($118) and horse ($88) at www.jonathanadler.com.
All Knitwear baby booties
All Knitwear handcrafted cotton baby booties with picot edging. $95 at All Knitwear.
Ikea play kitchen
Little chefs can practice their pretend cooking skills in the Ikea Duktig play kitchen. Adjustable legs allow the unit to grow with your child and hot plates with light diodes can be switched on and off. Coordinating products include cookware, utensils, vegetables and a tea set. $99 at Ikea.
Polaroid Cube camera
Polaroid packs a lot into this 1-inch, splash-resistant cube. It shoots 1080p or 720p video and 6MP stills, has a 124-degree viewing angle and attaches with a magnet. It's cute, inexpensive and a child or tech-phobic adult can operate it, but it's probably too simplistic for gadget freaks. Info: $99, www.polaroidcube.com
Camping hammock
Kammok's Roo camping hammock might just be the solution for adventure-seekers tired of the cold, hard ground. It's a mere 24 ounces, tear-resistant, roomy enough for two (it can hold up to 500 pounds) and packs easily into its attached sack for a quick get up and go. It comes in five bright colors (red, turquoise blue, purple, green and gold, as well as a neutral shade) so it's hard to lose in the forest, but it also would look swell hanging in the backyard or on the front porch. Even better, for every Roo purchased, Kammok provides treatment to five children diagnosed with malaria in Africa through its partnership with Malaria No More. Info: $99, kammok.com/products/roo
Gifts $100.01 to $250
Shine
A quarter-sized, battery-operated monitor that's waterproof and never needs recharging. It also has free iOS and Android apps. Shine can be worn as a bracelet or on a shirt or a shoe. It comes with a wristband and a magnetic clip. Its watch battery lasts about four months. Info: $100, lat.ms/1vSm3Zc
Lumo Lift
Created to correct posture and reduce fatigue, also measures steps and calories burned. Worn as a lapel pin, it vibrates when shoulders slump. It has a desktop app and an iOS app. An Android app is in development. Info: $100, www.lumobodytech.com
UP24 by Jawbone
This rechargeable, water-resistant bracelet can be set to vibrate to wake or alert you when you have been inactive too long. It has free iOS and Android apps. Info: $100 at Jawbone site until Dec. 25, $130 elsewhere, lat.ms/1u200Ly
Country ham
Country ham is a troublesome beast. It needs long soaking, it needs scrubbing and it needs careful roasting. The best examples have a tendency toward salt, funk and extreme smokiness. So if you're going to put all the work not just into cooking country ham but loving it, you may as well go with the best. Col. Bill Newsom's ham was an obsession of James Beard, and the ham now made by his daughter, Nancy Newsom Mahaffey, has become one of ours too. The best part about country ham is eating it fried with red-eye gravy the morning after the feast. $100.64 for a 15-pound ham at Newsomscountryham.com.
Backgammon set
Game lovers may very well swoon over the hand-printed backgammon set from Los Angeles design studio Wolfum. Each kit includes two sets of checkers and two sets of dice, and with its colorful design it makes a statement whether open or closed. Available in four different styles. $110. Available at the L.A. County Store (lacountystore.com), Burro in Venice (burrostyle.com) and the Santa Monica Museum of Art gift shop (www.smmoa.org).
Hermès silk-covered notebook
$115 at Hermès, Beverly Hills.
Fabric bird house
Young birders will enjoy the soft-sculpture birdhouse by Brooklyn artist Tamar Mogendorff. Each fabric and wire sculpture is hand-sewn and features unique pattern and textures to encourage play and add warmth to any room. $120 to $185 at Tamar Mogendorff; Lost and Found.
Thousand Buddha Leggings
Black? Gray? Hit the road. Leggings for yoga and other workouts have exploded in wild prints and colors. We love these leggings, appropriately covered with Buddhas seated on thrones of enlightenment, from an image found on a Tibetan wall hanging. $128 at store.aziam.com.
Felt wine carrier
You won't be embarrassed to walk into a restaurant toting this sleek, minimalist wine carrier. It's made right here in Los Angeles from thick merino felt in either red or charcoal. The two-bottle Duo model folds flat in your luggage. Handsome and discreet, it is trimmed in Italian leather. A single-bottle model is available too. $129 at www.graf-lantz.com.
Handpresso
If you know a coffee fanatic, he or she may like this hand-held espresso machine. Instead of having to leave the office for coffee, your giftee will think of you lovingly when using the Handpresso to make an espresso, cappuccino, Americano or latte at his or her desk. The machine just requires ground coffee or E.S.E. pods, hot water and a few hand pumps. $129.95 at www.thegrommet.com.
ThermaCell Heated Insoles
No need for cold toes. These pads remove one of the biggest downsides of being outdoors in cold weather. The temperature is controlled by a wireless remote up to 111 degrees for up to five hours with the battery. The insoles come in five sizes and can be trimmed to fit perfectly in boots or shoes. $130 at REI or Wal-Mart, or at www.heat.thermacell.com.
Yogasmoga attire for men
Men's yoga paraphernalia is exploding, and this company founded by two siblings from the "mystical" part of India called Rishikesh sells smart, attractive pieces. We especially like the Dharma Jacket, but there also are shorts, long pants and a shirt in long and short sleeves. The pieces in elegant charcoal gray and orange will carry anyone from the yoga studio to lunch. The women's line is also lovely, with lots of attention to detail and fabrics with a great feel. $140 at Yogasmoga, 11911 San Vicente Blvd., Los Angeles, and at yogasmoga.com.
(Bureo Minnow Skateboard)
The black mini-cruiser is made in Chile from discarded and recycled fishing nets, an effort to keep them from polluting the oceans. A cool feature is a hole drilled in the front of the deck, enabling owners to lock up before going where boards are not allowed. $149 at Patagonia stores.
Face vases
Ojai artist Rene Norman's one-of-a-kind ceramic face vases for Wren Ceramics were a hit with readers when we featured them in a shopping roundup earlier this year. Norman also designs wall hangings, bowls and platters, jewelry and small plates for condiments. Starting at $158 at wrenceramics.tumblr.com/#.
Tent Escape
Kids can escape inside their own black-and-white, printed-canvas play tent in this graphic fort from Restoration Hardware. The tent is made from sturdy cotton canvas, folds up easily for storage and can be personalized for a $7 fee. $159 at Restoration Hardware.
Liaison de Parfum by Nana de Bary
$165 each at Kelly Wearstler.
Tory Burch Fitbit
Be glamorous and be strong. The designer Tory Burch and the tracker Fitbit got together and came up with a fretwork pendant necklace (and a bracelet) that disguise the Fitbit Flex. No more of those rubber bracelets or clip-ons to make sure you're getting in your 10,000 steps. $175 at Tory Burch boutiques, including Westfield Century City and toryburch.com.
Stella McCartney wool-blend kid’s sweater
$175 at Stella McCartney, West Hollywood.
Timbuk2 x Blue Bottle Travel Kit
Everything you need to brew coffee on the go, whether it's in your office, the Sierras or a borrowed cabin in Joshua Tree. The luxe kit includes hand grinder, ceramic dripper, two Falcon enamelware tumblers with felt cozies, filters and coffee in a canvas and leather Timbuk2 travel case. Just add water. $179 at bluebottlecoffee.com.
All-Clad Weeknight Pan
Look at this as an investment — you'll use this pan three or four times a week for many years. It's good for sautéing fish, making pasta sauces and risottos, or braising chicken thighs. It's a workhorse that you'll find yourself turning to again and again. $179.96 at www.surlatable.com.
Surf Style Weekender Bag
Parcel & Journey's bold Surf Style Weekender Bag is roomy enough to hold a family's worth of towels and gear for a day at the beach — or several changes of clothes for you and your honey on a weekend escape. It's made of sturdy cotton fabric hand-woven in Guatemala, closes with a metal zipper and has leather handles and a detachable shoulder strap. Two large interior pockets help corral cellphone chargers or other small items. Info: $195, www.parcelandjourney.com
Disq workout system
The problem? Finding a way to have a serious strength workout on the road. The solution comes from a company with a Dutch Olympic speedskater as a partner. The Disq comes in a small bag and provides a resistance workout using your body weight via a belt and ankle straps that attach with pulleys. It's being used in Crunch gyms too. $199 at thedisq.com.
miCoach smart soccer ball
Raising the next Beckham and not up to the task? Adidas has a soccer ball with a sensor that detects speed, spin and strike data that get relayed to the miCoach app that also has a library of videos with drills and coaching tips. The miCoach Smart Ball reacts like a conventional size 5 regulation soccer ball. $199 at Best Buy and Apple stores, or at Adidas.
Pebble Steel smart watch
This watch displays text messages, a couple of lines of email and does almost everything but make a phone call. It is water-resistant to 164 feet, pairs with iPhone and Android and will vibrate with alerts. Battery life is about five days. Custom apps help Pebble work as a fitness coach and more. Info: $199 ($99 for the sporty Pebble), getpebble.com
The Burg 12 smart watch
The Burg 12 has SIM card and microSD slots, a microphone and a speaker. It works as a phone, a texting device and a 1.3MP camera. It pairs with an iPhone or Android device. Call quality still isn't perfect. One caller said I sounded good, but she sounded as though she had fallen into a well, similar to how speakerphones used to sound. Info: $199, burgsmartwatch.com/burg-12
Pet Lounge Studios hammock
Pet Lounge Studios bamboo hammock with stain-resistant cushion. $199.99 at Pet Lounge Studios.
Off the Saw woodworking class
Always wanted to learn woodworking? The 1-year-old Off the Saw in downtown Los Angeles is offering an Intro to Woodworking workshop once a month. The $200 fee includes all tools and materials. Gift certificates are also available. Workshops scheduled for next year include lamp making, tool sharpening, dovetailed step stool, rush weaving and timber framing. www.offthesaw.com/workshops.
Samsung Gear Live smart watch
Samsung Gear Live pairs with most Android phones but doesn't pair with iPhones. Although it has no speaker and can't make a phone call, Gear Live shows you who is calling or what song your phone is playing. You can tap Gear Live and say: "OK, Google" to get directions, check weather, etc. You can read entire emails and Android apps make it a step tracker or a sleep monitor that tracks how much you toss and turn to let you know how many hours you had of deep sleep, which may explain why you feel groggy when traveling. Info: $200, lat.ms/1wHjUCk
Aaron Poritz toolbox
Handmade from reclaimed tropical walnut. $219 Kaufmann Mercantile.
Etro playing cards
Etro playing cards with paisley-print leather case. $221 at Etro, Beverly Hills.
Modern calligraphy class
Learn calligraphy using a wooden pen and pointed nib dipped into ink with artist, illustrator and calligrapher Maybelle Imasa-Stukuls Jan. 24-25. Each person will learn the alphabet and receive a personalized calligraphy starter kit which includes a black ink, pen holder, nib, practice book and sheets. The Poketo Store is in the lobby of the Line Hotel, 3515 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles. All supplies included. Light snacks and drinks will be provided by Roy Choi's Pot Cafe. $225 at poketo.com.
LED Marset Follow Me table lamp
For the planner who already has a well-stocked up-to-date earthquake kit, the LED Marset Follow Me table lamp is portable and rechargeable and works both indoors and out. It comes with a dimmer and has a USB port for recharging. $245 at www.ylighting.com.
Fatboy Picnic Lounge
Picnic in style at Shakespeare in the park or on the beach with the Fatboy Picnic Lounge, an oversized water-repellent picnic blanket that rolls up like a duffel bag. It comes with four pins, a brush and an attached pocket for keys or phone. $249 at www.fatboyusa.com.
$250.01-$500
Yakitori charcoal grill
Make like Yakitori-Ya with this stainless steel charcoal grill from Japan. Available from Hitachiya, the Japanese cookware store in Torrance, it comes in two sizes. You'll want some Japanese hardwood charcoal too. And throw in a pack of bamboo skewers, so whoever's lucky enough to receive this gift can get to work right away grilling chicken skin, chicken meatballs, chicken wings and shiitake and vegetables over that fierce binchotan charcoal. $274 and $379 at www.hitachiya.com. (310) 534-3136.
Coravin wine access system
A game-changing gadget for preserving wine that allows you to pour a glass of wine without removing the cork— and without oxygen touching the wine. A thin, hollow needle is inserted through the cork to extract the wine. As the wine is poured out, its volume is replaced with inert argon gas from a small canister. Remove the needle and the cork reseals itself. Nifty — and much used by master of wine and master sommelier candidates. $299 at www.coravin.com.
Muse meditation headband
Have someone on your list who might benefit from a nudge to keep calm while meditating? Or perhaps one of those people who believes everything is a little better with technology? A mind version of all those fitness trackers on the market, the Muse headband aims to help users improve their meditation sessions by giving them an awareness of when their mind is calm and when the monkeys are taking over. It works through an app to provide real-time feedback during a series of guided exercises, tracking electrical impulses from the brain via seven sensors. Meditation is surely having its moment in our culture, so it's no surprise there's something wearable to accompany the trend. $299 at www.choosemuse.com.
JVC Adixxion GC-XA2 camera
A pocket-size camera that is dustproof, freeze-proof, waterproof to 16 feet and shockproof to 6 1/2 feet without additional housing. It has a built-in 1 1/2 -inch LCD monitor and shoots 8MP or 16MP stills. Info: $300, adixxion.jvc.com
Trek Superfly 16
There's no techie gift that surpasses a bike, and the Superfly 16, an orange-and-black kids' mountain bike, is light and cool, built so a little one can accompany the family on a trail ride. Comes with detachable training wheels. $309 at Helen's Cycles, 2472 Lincoln Blvd., Marina del Rey and at its five other locations in the L.A. area.
Prada Trick Robot Edward keychain
Prada Saffiano leather and metal Trick Robot Edward keychain. $330 at Prada.
Tommy Hilfiger woll sleeping bag
Tommy Hilfiger woll sleeping bag with zip-off down-filled puffer vest. $349 at Tommy Hilfiger.
ION Air Pro 3 Wi-Fi camera
This 4.2-inch-long mountable cylinder also fits in a hand like a flashlight and is ideal for travelers who would rather hold a camera than wear it. It is waterproof to 49 feet with no extra housing. Instead of an audible cue, Air Pro 3 vibrates to confirm it is starting or stopping. Info: $350, lat.ms/127ILlm
RS Barcelona portable grill
RS Barcelona portable grill with briefcase-style carrier. $375 at A + R stores in Venice and Los Angeles.
Chocolate tempering machine
For the home pastry chef on your list, how about this chocolate tempering machine from ChocoVision? Tempering, or heating and cooling chocolate to keep it smooth and glossy and give it snap, is absolutely necessary to make great candies but is a drag to do by hand. With this machine, you don't have to. $393.30 at Amazon.com.
Nicholas Kirkwood loafers
Nicholas Kirkwood limited-edition metallic leather Bottalato loafers. $395 at Nicholas Kirkwood.
San Francisco Baking Institute class
The highly regarded baking school offers two-day workshops in bread making or patisserie. It's a terrific, though perhaps self-interested, gift, true, but why not have your friends learn how to make boule, rye bread and pain au chocolate? $398 at www.sfbi.com.
Patagonia Snap-T pullover
Patagonia undyed cashmere Snap-T pullover. $399 at Patagonia.
Autographer camera
With a 136-degree view, Autographer is ideal for travelers who want their camera to be in charge. Five sensors detect light, color, movement, temperature and speed to help Autographer decide when to snap action. It has built-in GPS, desktop software and a free iOS and Android app. Info: $399, store.autographer.com
GoPro's Hero4 Silver camera
Includes a built-in touch screen for easier operation and a higher-fidelity microphone. Its housing is waterproof to 131 feet. Info: $400, lat.ms/1tNZ8uH
Vesta candle sticks
Los Angeles artist Kelly Lamb's Vesta cast bronze candle stick holders are an elegant addition to any tabletop surface. Available as a set of three, the geometric trio is $425 at kellylamb.net.
Wearable tech bracelets
Wearable tech MICA bracelets by Opening Ceremony and Intel. $495 each at Opening Ceremony, West Hollywood.
Chocolate of the month club
Nothing says I love you like a box of chocolate. But if you have a real chocolate lover on your list, the Compartes chocolate-of-the-month club will keep him or her fully stocked with handmade chocolates all year round. For April, a selection of Easter-themed treats. July means sweet summer berry- and fruit-studded chocolates and truffles. And during the holidays, gingerbread and cinnamon latte truffles and more. $499 for full year at compartes.com.
$500.01-$1000
Burton snowboard
Burton x Martin Guitar Co. Easy Livin snowboard. $519.95 at Burton.
Alexandra von Furstenberg bookends
Alexandra von Furstenberg acrylic Prism bookends. $570 a pair at Alexandra von Furstenberg, West Hollywood.
Mignonne Gavigan chiffon scarf necklace
$575 at Mignonne Gavigan.
Miss Dior four-finger ring
Miss Dior four-finger ring with pink gold and guilloché finish. $710 at Dior, Beverly Hills.
Aire Tomcat Tandem Inflatable Kayak
This blow-up craft holds two adults with a child — a good way to get exercise, marvel at nature and pass those values along to the next generation. It's sturdy and stable, with plenty of room for gear, and it's designed for lakes and calm river water. There's also a self-bailing floor. It fits in a trunk when deflated. $749 at REI and other outdoor stores, or at Aire.
Pierre Hardy sneaker
Pierre Hardy limited-edition floral-pattern sneaker. $795 at Pierre Hardy.
Chanel sunglasses
Chanel black acetate sunglasses with glass pearls. $800 at Chanel, Beverly Hills.
Christian Louboutin sneaker
Christian Louboutin corduroy and suede high-top sneaker. $845 at Christian Louboutin.
Tenaya Lodge retreat
Start 2015 with some "me" time, with a wellness retreat Jan. 16-19 at Tenaya Lodge, just a few miles from the southern entrance to Yosemite National Park. The package includes guided hikes, yoga, spa treatments, sessions on healthful living, cooking seminars and, of course, the majestic beauty of the setting. All lunches and dinners are included. $889 for one person, $1,119 for two, www.tenayalodge.com.
Esquivel Hobo Boot
Esquivel handcrafted Hobo Boot in vachetta leather. $990 at Douglas Fir, Los Angeles and Esquivel Shoes.
Smeg mini fridge
For fans of retro design, the 1950s-style Smeg mini fridge is small enough to fit in a tight space, and its bold red, black, orange and cream hues might very well enliven your home. While it may be small, it still has room for an ice cube tray. $999 at www.appliancesconnection.com.
Splurge
Elsa Peretti lacquer hair prong
$1,050 at Tiffany & Co., Beverly Hills.
Saint Laurent glittered bootie
$1,145 at Saint Laurent, Beverly Hills.
Martone Cycling Co. Gramercy bike
New York-based Martone designs colorful bikes with an urban commute in mind. Features a double-wall aluminum body and a red chain for drama. Men's bike, $1,100; women's bike, $1,200. martonecycling.com; www.saksfifthavenue.com.
Campowerment
Sleep-away camp, girlfriend getaway — a long weekend of bonding and learning, with games and workshops with experts in business, parenting and health. The bug juice is spiked, but the singalong and the s'mores are not so different than they've always been. Occurs periodically in several places around the U.S., including Oceanview Retreat in Malibu in March, April and September. First-time campers pay $1,199. www.campowerment.com.
Marc Jacobs handbag
Marc Jacobs metallic leather Mini Trouble handbag with party-bow detail. $1,350 at Marc Jacobs, West Hollywood.
Lanvin watch bracelet
Lanvin Timeless watch bracelet with Swarovski crystals. $2,190 at Lanvin, Beverly Hills.
Prada fanny pack
Prada mink and leather fanny pack. $2,390 at Prada, Beverly Hills.
Kelly Lamb pendant
Kelly Lamb copper pendant with brass chain and Brazilian quartz crystal. $3,200 at Kelly Lamb.
Designer boot camp
Need help redecorating or remodeling? Learn the basics of the interior design business from celebrity interior and textile designer Kathryn M. Ireland. At boot camp, students will learn about project management, how to do a thorough budget, furniture layouts and fabric selection. Jan 22-25 and March 19-22. $3,500. (323) 965-9888, Ext. 200.
Monique Pean ring
Monique Pean gold fossilized woolly mammoth signet ring. $6,920 at Monique Pean.
Saint Laurent tuxedo jacket
Saint Laurent sequined single-breasted satin tuxedo jacket. $6,950 at Saint Laurent.
Alexandra Llewellyn backgammon set
Alexandra Llewellyn handcrafted Baz Dazzled wood backgammon set. $6,995 at Barneys.
Berluti F500 rolling suitcase
Berluti F500 rolling suitcase in Venezia leather. $7,000 at Berluti, South Coast Plaza, Costa Mesa.
Kelly Wearstler sculpture
Kelly Wearstler sculpture embellished with Swarovski crystals. Price available upon request at Kelly Wearstler.
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