WHAT’S IN STORE THIS CHRISTMAS
Christmas is closing in fast, and once again you’ve left the shopping until the last minute. Don’t panic. The following sampler of expensive, unusual and value-priced items should provide some ideas, depending on whether you’d like to be viewed as extravagant, creative or frugal. And they’re all available in Orange County stores. Happy hunting!
STORE: The Broadway several locations countywide Most expensive: Waterford “cutters” vase $3,000 Most unusual: Porcelain Victorian doll $510.00 Best value: Silver-plated heart-shaped box $9.98 STORE: Bullocks several locations countywide Most expensive: *Full-length Russian sable fur coat $59,500 Most unusual: *Pink Thunderbird- shaped jukebox $12,000 Best value: “Art-to-wear” T-shirt $28 STORE: Cartier South Coast Plaza Most expensive: Sapphire, emerald and diamond brooch $150,000 Most unusual: Panther-shaped diamond necklace $138,000 Best value: “Rolling ring” (3 intertwined gold rings) $500 STORE: Crate & Barrel South Coast Plaza Most expensive: Kovacs feather motif floor lamp $225.00 Most unusual: Set of 4 plates with hand-painted caligraphy $99.95 Best value: Hand-blown “Arkipelago” candleholders $19.95 STORE: Neiman Marcus Fashion Island Most expensive: Pilatus PC-7 turbo-prop aircraft $1.5 million Most unusual: Baby gift of a 6-foot-fir-tree- a-year for 21 years $2,100 Best value: Silver-plated baby bottle $25 STORE: Nordstrom several locations countywide Most expensive: Valentino pink chiffon and lace strapless gown $8,100 Most unusual: Chocolate Nordstrom credit card $2.00/piece Best value: Charles Jourdan all-leather pumps $200 STORE: Yves Saint Laurent South Coast Plaza Most expensive: Black velvet and green satin ball gown $4,250 Most unusual: Saxaphone earrings of gold and rhinestone $200.00 Best value: Cashmere stole $300 STORE: Saks Fifth Avenue South Coast Plaza Most expensive: Karl Lagerfeld Russian sable fur coat $175,000 Most unusual: Sable/brocade Christmas stocking with perfume $250.00 Best value: Men’s Scottish cashmere sweater $219 STORE: Sears several locations countywide Most expensive: Full-length golden fox fur coat $13,000 Most unusual: Plastic Christmas gift wrap $6.99 Best value: Sears Rotamatic Razor $24.99 STORE: The Sharper Image MainPlace, Fashion Island Most expensive: Antique Wurlitzer jukebox with 100 records $9,750 Most unusual: Set of 10-inch perfectly tuned wind chimes $1,995 Best value: Fully automatic bread baker $329 STORE: Tutti Animali South Coast Plaza Most expensive: Lifelike, 8-inch American brown bear $995.00 Most unusual: Stuffed moose trophy head with plaque $44.95 Best value: Battery-operated, walking and snorting pig $24.95 STORE: Louis Vuitton South Coast Plaza Most expensive: Gold international timepiece with sapphire crystal $11,500 Most unusual: Portable golf bag $2,100 Best value: “Speedy” handbag with Vuitton monogram $255 STORE: Williams-Sonoma South Coast Plaza MainPlace Most expensive: Viking commercial range $3,600 Most unusual: Duck press (duckling de-boner) $790.00 Best value: Bay leaf wreath $21 STORE: Brentano’s South Coast Plaza MainPlace Most expensive: Compact edition of Oxford English Dictionary $295.00 Most unusual: Plexiglass birdhouse with bird care book $9.95 Best value: The Modern Library Series (classics) $14.95 STORE: Frederick’s of Hollywood Several locations countywide Most expensive: Satin peignoir set with maribou trim $150.00 Most unusual: Musical panties that play “Jingle Bells” $8.00 Best value: Silk camisole set $32 STORE: Petland several locations countywide Most expensive: Hand-fed Scarlet Macaw (exotic parrot) $3,900 Most unusual: Spiny Tail Desert Iguana $199.99 Best value: Tabby kitten $24.99 STORE: Roger’s Gardens Corona del Mar MainPlace Most expensive: Aloe Banksi succulent tree $750.00 Most unusual: Hawaiian tree fern w/Staghorn fern on trunk $500.00 Best value: Potted miniature garden $40
* Available at South Coast Plaza location only.
Source: Individual stores
