It's getting colder outside, and maybe those snowman and icicle decorations aren't helping combat those chilly feelings. If that's the case, check out Tommy Bahama's tropical twist on the holidays.
The company, which creates items in a "Tiki-Chic" style, offers holiday accessories including a limited-edition Christmas ornament patterned after its Pineapple Twist button-down shirt ($65), the holiday-themed retro-print tie ($55) and the Enchanted Evening beaded bag ($82), which features a palm tree against a blue, cream or rose background.
Tommy Bahama also has a number of tropics-inspired gift ideas, such as tropical print pens in custom bamboo cases ($36), a leather-wrapped ice bucket ($280) and cocktail shaker ($159), with pineapple-etched martini glasses ($25 each), as well as the Sunset Cocktails CD ($15).
The gift line is available exclusively at Tommy Bahama boutiques and emporiums. To order from the Los Olas, Fla., store, call 954-527-8868.
It's never too late
Looking for that last-minute present that still has a personal touch? Check out shutterfly.com's custom calendars.
Chose 12 or 18 photographs (depending on whether you want a 12- or 18-month calendar), upload them from digital copies or scanned versions, and the company will create an 11x17 (when open) wall calendar, printed on acid-free cardstock to keep the photos looking good even after the calendar goes out of date.
The 12-month calendar costs $19.99, and the 18-month calendar is $24.95.
Shutterfly also offers personalized greeting cards and other photo gifts, as well as personalized thank-you notes, which could come in handy after the holidays.
You must sign up at www.shutterfly.com to order, but membership is free and includes 15 free 4x6 prints, online photo-sharing options and film processing services.
Sweet suds
For a gift that cleans up well, take a look at Crabtree & Evelyn's seasonal novelty soaps.
The ribbon candy soap gift jar ($18), below, with thin curls of translucent red and green soap, and the peppermint rounds (5 for $12 or $2.50 each), resembling classic peppermint and spearmint candy, look and smell almost good enough to eat, but we wouldn't recommend it.
Also included in the seasonal line are soaps shaped like trees (pine-scented), snowflakes (fallen snow), snowmen (peppermint), gingerbread men (ginger spice) and penguins (licorice). These items range in weight from 100 grams to 140 grams and cost $3.95 each.
To purchase, visit your local Crabtree & Evelyn store, call 800-CRABTREE (800-272-2873) or visit www.crabtree- evelyn.com.
Building a gift list
For the handy guy or gal in your life, Ryobi Power Tools has some great gifts in a variety of price ranges.
* For $24.97, there's the 3.6-volt screwdriver / flashlight kit. It can be mounted on a wall or inside a door for easy access to the screwdriver (and the 23-piece bit kit) and the flashlight.
* For $99, check out the 14.4-volt cordless combo kit, which includes a cordless drill / screwdriver, cordless circular saw and a powerful flashlight.
* A mere $199 will deliver the Super Combo Kit II, above, which includes the "Tuff Sucker" cordless wet / dry vacuum, reciprocating saw, circular saw, drill / driver and flashlight.
Ryobi tools and gift sets are available at Home Depot. For more information, visit www.ryobitools.com or call 800-525-2579.
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.