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1 & 2. Got a friend with a sweet tooth who also enjoys alcohol? The adult-themed options from Sugarfina are definitely a worthy gift option.
The upscale candy boutique is known for its best-selling Champagne gummy bears, sparkling rosé gummy bears and peach bellini gummies, but you can take things a step further with new varieties of Sugarfina’s Candy Bento Box that pair chocolate with the flavors of Tito’s Handmade Vodka, Blanton’s Kentucky bourbon and single-malt scotch.
The Vice Collection ($28) starts off light with boxes of bourbon gummy bears made with Blanton’s Single Barrel bourbon and maple bourbon caramels, but it’s the scotch cordials where the liquor flavor really shines through (they’re also the only candy of the three that actually contains alcohol).
I also love the Vodka is Always a Good Idea box ($28), which pairs Sugarfina’s American Mule gummy bears and vodka cordials with Tito’s. Each box includes a 2-ounce mini copper mug that can be filled with the gummy bears or actual vodka. The candy is a nice pick-me-up, while the cordials, again, offer a spiked chocolate treat for times when you can’t get away for an actual cocktail.
Sugarfina has two stores on Oahu, at Ala Moana Center and the International Market Place; call 427-9935 or 638-3231 to check product availability or order online at sugarfina.com.
— Jason Genegabus, Star-Advertiser
3 & 4. Although she’s a baby of the digital age, my 18-year-old niece keeps a diary on paper, and she was thrilled to receive the hand-bound journal with blank pages I bought for $5 at Books at Mark’s, the vintage bookstore/reading room run by Friends of the Library of Hawai‘i at Arts at Mark’s Garage at 1159 Nuuanu Ave.
In addition to art postcards and the journals made by volunteers and covered in colorful decorative papers, I love the bookstore space: a clean, quiet Chinatown sanctuary with tables, chairs, air conditioning and wireless access.
It’s open noon to 5 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays.
— Mindy Pennybacker, Star-Advertiser
5. If yarn pom-poms and neon-pink duct tape no longer appeal as easy-to-spot luggage markers, then upgrade to these bag tags with fun, local-kine themes.
I picked these up for $1.99 each ($1.79 with Maika‘i card) in the gift section at the Pukalani Foodland on a recent trip to Maui. Other designs spotted at the grocer’s Honolulu stores include maneki-neko, samurai and anime princesses.
— Christie Wilson, Star-Advertiser
Please keep in mind that featured products may be in short supply and may not be available at all store locations; prices may vary. The information presented represents the authors’ opinions and experiences; your results may vary. Tell us what you are loving this week by emailing features@staradvertiser.com.
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