1. Once upon a time there were mood rings that used heat-sensing technology to change color with your body temperature. Now, the fun has moved to the kitchen or your desktop.

In the “things that make you smile” category, I was in Sedona at Ward Centre when I noticed many shoppers, young and old, taking delight in thumbsUp! color-changing mugs.

They come in cute forms such as a unicorn ($26) and panda ($21.50) with knobby handles for ears, but the magic happens when you add hot cocoa, tea or other favorite hot beverage. The unicorn’s purple mane turns into a multicolor rainbow, and the black panda mug turns white, save for its eyes, nose and smiling mouth. (Note: These are not suitable for microwaves or dishwashers.)

Call 591-8010.

— Nadine Kam

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2. When shakuhachi master (and 1969 Roosevelt High graduate) Riley Lee played Blue Note Hawaii with Jeff Peterson and Kenny Endo in September, several tables were filled with his classmates and their spouses.

One of the Rough Riders made it a party with Champagne Bears — authentic German gummy bears made with Dom Perignon Champagne in Brut and Rose flavors. A 3.9-ounce cube is $8.50 at Nordstrom Ala Moana; two larger sizes — 12.6 ounces ($20) and 2½ pounds ($45) — are available at sugarfina.com.

Although these bears are made with real Champagne, they are labeled nonalcoholic. Even so, please eat responsibly.

— John Berger

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3. If it’s Christmas, can thank-you cards be far behind?Sure, you could pick up a generic pack of notes at the drug store, but MessAging With Love cards are so much more. They incorporate the wisdom of centenarians (people who are 100 years old) in a card created by students at ‘Iolani School.

Proceeds go to Project Dana, a Honolulu nonprofit that provides services to elderly and disabled residents. Talk about a win-win situation.

Students at ‘Iolani interviewed their elders and wrote biographies of the seniors that appear on the backs of the cards. The sentiments expressed — such as “Be happy,” and, “You can achieve anything by using your energy in the right way” — are perfect at this reflective time of year.

Sold in packs of four ($8) or 10 cards ($20) at Paperie in Kahala Mall; call 735-6464.

— Donica Kaneshiro

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4. This playful Flying Tiger stands on its own as a huggable toy, but it also provides an opportunity to teach your little one a piece of World War II history.

The Flying Tigers were the American Volunteer Group of the Chinese Air Force, recruited in 1941 for aerial battles against the Japanese. The Chinese named the P-40 Warhawks they flew “Fei Hu” (“Flying Tiger” in Mandarin).

This 12-inch plush tiger comes with a flight jacket, scarf and attached goggles. Pick one up for $29.99 at the Pacific Aviation Museum gift shop on Ford Island. Visit pacificaviationmuseum.org, call 271-3188 or email store@pacificaviationmuseum.org.

— Nina Wu

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5. Following knee surgery, I was faithfully doing my strengthening exercises, so why the excruciating pain in my quads? When you work muscles they tighten and clench, my physical therapist explained, so you have to relax and lengthen them by rolling on a foam cylinder on the floor.

But this isn’t practical on the job. A colleague shared The Stick, a 2-foot-long, hard-plastic baton. Lightweight and small, it can easily be toted and wielded like a rolling pin, pressing deep, as needed, for pain relief.

Buy it for $34.95 at the Running Room, 819 Kapahulu Ave.; call 737-2422.

— Mindy Pennybacker

“5 Things We Love” is a shortlist of newly discovered stuff you have got to see, hear, wear, use or eat. Please keep in mind that featured products may be in short supply and may not be available at all store locations; prices may vary. Tell us what you are loving by emailing features@staradvertiser.com.