Stocking stunners

Hunters & Gatherers, a new business in Kensington providing antiques, accessories and interior design assistance, is celebrating the spirit of the holidays with its luxurious Santa Stockings.

The stockings, which cost $350, are designed to be "reminiscent of a more luxurious and Old World Christmas, one with all the trimmings," according to David Herchik and Richard Looman, co-owners of the store. They are designed using decadent fur, lush velvet and other fabulous fabrics, and are decorated with authentic flea-market finds.

Ten percent of the proceeds from the stockings will be donated to Children's National Medical Center, which provides health-care services for children in the region and around the world.

Hunters & Gatherers, a collaboration between Herchik and Looman, of JDS Designs, and international businessman Joe Bruno and his wife, Cynthia, is at 4229 Howard Ave. in Kensington. Call 301-896-0348 or visit www.huntersgatherers.com for more information.

Growing new ideas for the tree

Decorating a tree has been a holiday tradition for the ages, but this year a new book has some suggestions for tweaking that tradition.

Christmas Trees: Fun and Festive Ideas by Peter Cole, Frankie Frankeny and Leslie Jonath has directions for creating trees for just about every space, occasion and budget.

One of the most intriguing is the "Family Tree," which uses retro ornaments as secondary decorations, while showcasing homemade ornaments featuring family photos. The authors suggest starting with great-grandma and great-grandpa at the top of the tree and working your way down to more recent relatives.

Other ideas in the book include the "Peace on Earth Bonsai," a lighted "tree" made of snowballs, the Santa cactus and the jingle fish tree (because even finned friends need a little holiday spirit). Christmas Trees costs $15.95 and is available online at www.amazon.com and www.bn.com, as well as some local bookstores.

Windowsill power

As the holidays approach, twinkling candles -- usually electric or battery-powered lights -- suddenly appear in windows, casting a peaceful glow. But maintaining those lights can get complicated, as homeowners scramble to find plugs and extension cords for each light, balance them on windowsills or replace batteries.

Rick Gesue of Monkton decided he'd had enough and created Sillites, electric candles that plug into outlets inconspicuously installed right into the windowsill and powered by a wall switch.

Sillites can be installed in new homes or renovated rooms, and Gesue is working on a patent on installing them in existing sills. The candles are available in polished brass, brushed satin and antique bronze and cost $39.95 each (which includes the candle and matching switch plate).

The lights, which are hand-assembled in Maryland and can be used for decoration year-round, are currently only available by mail. Call 410-472-4818 or visit www.sillite.com for more information.

Event

* The Historic Annapolis Foundation is offering a gift-making workshop for kids at William Paca House and Garden (186 Prince George St.) Dec. 15 from noon to 4 p.m. Cost is $6.50 for foundation members and $8 for nonmembers. One guardian admitted free when accompanied by child. Reservations and prepayment are required; call 410-267-7619, Ext. 8146.

Home Front welcomes interesting home and garden news. Please send suggestions to Liz Atwood, Home Front, The Sun, 501 N. Calvert St., Baltimore, MD 21278, or fax to 410-783-2519. Information must be received at least four weeks in advance to be considered.