Wood candleholders will delight recipient

Nothing sets a holiday mood like candles, and few candleholders are as beautiful as Kailua woodturner Stewart Chow’s sleek discs. While koa is a classic, I love the striking character of Chow’s work in mango wood, pictured. The materials and design complement both modern and traditional decor, so you can’t go wrong for gift giving. The $48 tea light candleholders are also compact and durable for shipping. Find them and other distinctive Hawaii-made items at one of my favorite shops, Na Mea Hawai‘i in Ward Warehouse; call 596-8885. — Christie Wilson

Nature Republic’s hand creams are just right

Remember when Bath & Body Works products were the cool gift to give? Don’t get me wrong; I love their body washes and hand sanitizers. But now that they have several stores in Hawaii, the brand has become so commonplace. For a change of pace, I’m giving friends hand creams from Nature Republic, a Korean cosmetics chain with locations in Waikiki, Ala Moana Center and Pearlridge. The shops are filled with endless gift ideas, though I absolutely fell in love with the hand creams made with shea butter that leave my hands feeling incredibly soft and not sticky, like other lotions often do. The scents are fragrant without overpowering. (My favorites are lilac and acacia.) A 30-milliliter tube is $6.60, but buy one and get a second one free. — Stefanie Nakasone

Fruit-fusion carafe helps you get your fill

Everyone knows that drinking water is important for your health, but let’s face it: Unless you’re thirsty after a workout or a dip in the ocean, water tastes boring.

Some fruit and the 1-liter Fusion Gourmet beverage carafe can help with that. Slice a few lemons, limes or oranges and toss them into the glass carafe. Presto: tasty water. The stainless-steel top — which sits snuggly into the carafe thanks to a silicone gasket — has a filter that keeps the fruit inside when you pour. A hinged lid allows for pouring the fruit-flavored water without spilling a drop. We bought a set of two from Costco for $21.99 and have loved every drop. — Mike Gordon

Simplicam puts mind and wallet at ease

With Simplicam, you can give the gift of security — minus the hassle and expense of installing traditional home security systems that charge a monthly fee. For $149, you get a HD video camera with two-way voice communication that connects to the Internet via your home wireless network. No installation is required; all that’s needed to get the camera up and running is a power outlet, a smartphone with the free Simplicam app installed, and an Internet connection. And instead of paying traditional security system monitoring fees, Simplicam offers an optional "cloud" storage service that allows you to view previous footage and save clips online. No subscription is necessary to use the camera, however, unlike others that require one to operate.

Simplicam is great for tech-averse family members who need to keep an eye on loved ones; it also makes a great baby monitor for new parents. Night vision and motion/noise alert capabilities also make it a good fit for use in a garage, workshop or other remote area where wired cameras are not feasible. Learn more about Simplicam and purchase online at www.simplicam.com. — Jason Genegabus

Calendars satiate bubble wrap addiction

Most people know at least one person who loves to pop bubble wrap. Bubblecalendar.com allows poppers to satisfy their needs by bursting a bubble a day on its poster-size year calendar for $24.99. (It’s also available at uncommongoods.com and urbanoutfitters.com.) If a bubble a day isn’t enough, get the smaller Pop Therapy calendar with extra bubbles, available via Amazon.com for $19.99. — Michelle Ramos