5 Things We Love: Holiday Gifts

1. Cazimero Christmas continues at Hawaii Theatre

Robert Cazimero is working solo this year, but the tradition of Christmas Cazimero style is being celebrated as in years past with "Hawaii Kali­ki­maka" Friday to Sunday at the Hawaii Theatre. He’ll be presiding over a cavalcade of hula talent that includes the dancers of his own Halau Na Kamalei o Lililehua, Miss Aloha Hula 2014 Ke‘alohilani Tara Eliga Serrao, Miss Keiki Hula 2014 Keo­lani Hoku­le‘a­kea­ouli Hosino and Master Keiki Hula 2014 Kamaka Leao Kalei­ona­pali Ho‘o­pi‘i. Based on previous Cazimero shows, it’s not taking anything away from the ladies to say that the Master Keiki Hula dancer may well steal the show.

The holiday spirit also will be shared by the Hawaii Theatre Christmas Glee singers, the Hawaii Theatre Hawaiian Ensemble under the musical direction of Hoku Award winner Aaron Sala, and vocalist Starr Kala­hiki. Whatever Cazimero and producer/director Burton White have planned, it is certain to be a beautiful, only-in-Hawaii celebration of the season. Showtimes: 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 2 p.m. Sunday; tickets: $30 to $75. Call 528-0506 or go to www.hawaiitheatre.com.

2. Dole out treats in handy stand-up bags

I bake a lot and love the new commercial-grade Great Lines Hawaii stand-up zipper pouches. They’re great for packaging food gifts such as cookies, party mix and prune mui. The zipper or sealing options extend the freshness of the goodies, and the sturdy material protects my cookies from breaking. You can find the bags at Walmart, Longs Drugs, Don Quijote and Fisher Hawaii for $4.49 for a set of six or seven pouches in two sizes.

3. Simple cotton tees boast Japanese style

The classic T-shirt is Andrew Shi­ma­saki’s canvas. After growing up in Tokyo and graduating from Parsons The New School for Design in New York, Shi­ma­saki is in Hawaii creating wearable art. His silk-screen designs combine a traditional Japa­nese aesthetic with Japa­nese pop culture influences such as anime and Godzilla. Find his 100 percent cotton tees, ranging from $30 to $40, at his Etsy.com shop, Ohana Street Armory.

4. Fawn over flora on bags and cards

Nature meets nurture in the form of Paiko Hawaii’s hand-screened bags ($20) and letterpress cards ($5), designed by artist Dana Paresa for the boutique’s PAIKO + DNA PRSA collaboration. Paresa’s comic book-influenced graphic style gives an edge to her image of a lush orchid, while the materials — sturdy denim, heavy cardstock — provide a tactile boost. Find them at Paiko, a botanical boutique in Kaka­ako that specializes in custom-designed planters, succulents and "cultural gifts." Call 988-2165 or go to paikohawaii.com.

5. Mail-order snack boxes are perfect for foodie folks

One of the best parts about traveling is sampling new food. It’s a window into different cultures. But if you can’t afford a trip, Try the World gift boxes bring a taste of another country right to your mailbox. It’s a great way to expose the kids to something new and expand their palates.

The box of seven to 10 delicacies comes with a culture guide that describes the sights and sounds of each country. The France box came with chestnut spread, Dijon mustard, sea salt, caramels, biscuits, tea and fig preserves. The Holiday box comprises sweets from around the world, with French tea and chocolate powder, Dutch waffles, Italian truffles, Brazilian dulce de leche, Swedish gingersnaps and Swiss chocolate.

Boxes range from $33 to $50. Order online at www.trytheworld.com and check the foodie friend and worldly parent off your gift list.