5 Things We Love

Our special holiday edition of 5 Things We Love is offering a month of gift ideas at different price points for every budget. And to retain a bit of the spirit of the season, we’re also featuring gifts that give, benefitting local nonprofit groups. Share your gift ideas by emailing features@staradvertiser.com.

STOCKING STUFFER

For the football fan who has everything, Wabi Sabi offers musubi ornaments with University of Hawaii logo and sporty details ($10). Also, mochitsuki ornaments ($12) will give you good luck all holiday season. It could also serve as a backup plan for New Year’s in case rambunctious keiki knock over the mochi and the leaf falls off your orange. Wabi Sabi is at 1223 Koko Head Ave., behind Goodwill. Call 734-3693. — Donica Kaneshiro

UNDER $50

Aloha-print fabric has been an iconic Hawaii product for decades. That makes this friendly pig from the Hawaiian Quilt Collection at Ala Moana Center a great present for children old enough for toys with button eyes, for anyone who likes stuffed animals or pigs, or as a piece of Hawaii-themed decor. Almost 12 inches high and 20 inches from snout to curly tail, this island porker has plenty of charm and personality. Piggy comes in a variety of colors and print patterns for $49.95, but smaller sizes are also available. Call 946-2233. — John Berger

UNDER $100

While in New York City a few years ago, I made sure to stop in the legendary FAO Schwarz toy store. While there, I discovered the Muppet Whatnot Workshop, where you can make your own working puppet in the form of a cute clone or a crazy monster. Choose your Muppet’s body, eyes, nose, hair and dress from about 20 costume options, including police officer, firefighter, aloha shirt and lei, and monster outfits. But you don’t need to go to the Big Apple to get this unique and memorable gift. Design and order your own custom Muppet at fao.com, and it will arrive assembled, typically within two to three business days, for $99.99, shipping not included. — Stefanie Naka­sone

OVER $100

The most important aspect of surfing is not how big the waves are, but how much fun you have riding them. Imagine how much more fun you would have if you got to trade waves with Gerry Lopez, the laid-back master of Pipeline. That’s exactly the idea behind the Gerry Lopez Surf Realization & Yoga Retreat, a March 3-6 event at Turtle Bay Resort where you’ll eat, surf and take yoga classes with Lopez, whose fearless and graceful surfing inspired fans in the late 1960s and ’70s. He said experience isn’t going to be a limiting factor for the retreat, which focuses more on yoga than waves. (He’s been a yoga practioneer since the ’60s.)

"Whatever level want to take it to is going to be perfect for you," the 65-year-old Lopez said in a call from his home in Bend, Ore.

This ultimate bucket-list experience for any surfer carries a $2,850 price tag, but how often do you get to hang out and swap stories with your favorite sports star? For more information or to secure your place in the retreat, send an email to info@northshorewatershed.com. — Mike Gordon

GIFTS THAT GIVE

If there’s an art lover in your life, consider joining 1,001 Friends on their behalf and support something near and dear to their heart. The program benefiting The ARTS at Marks Garage, a nonprofit group in Chinatown, automatically bills $10 monthly to your credit card or checking account. The donations annually fund 12 visual arts exhibits, 150 locally produced performances, after-school programs and 13 artists’ lofts. Donors get invited to special events and are offered "deeply discounted or free" tickets to shows at Marks and other Chinatown events. "Because the monthly (donation) is small, few people drop out," said Executive Director Rich Richardson. "But for us, every month we have a nice little nest egg of hundreds of dollars that’s equivalent in a year to a decent-sized grant." Visit arts­at­marks.com, call 521-2903 or drop by 1159 Nuu­anu Ave., 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesdays to Saturdays. — Joleen Oshiro