Large gatherings with family and friends are likely to be shelved this holiday season as we hunker down at home for the health and safety of our communities. But that shouldn’t be a reason to skimp on seasonal decorations and a few new indulgences to lift your spirits.
From tabletop to tree branch, these Kailua Town shops are ready to brighten your holidays at home.
SoHa Living and Red Bamboo are two trendy places to find cheerful home accents and tableware. Check out SoHa’s collection of Hawaiian holiday-themed pillow covers, as well as colorful dinnerware and serving pieces, table decorations and kitchen accessories, from oven mitts to dish towels. If you’re going for a tropical, beachy look, you’ll find the trimmings at Red Bamboo: ocean-themed table runners, dinnerware and barware plus sparkling tabletop trees made of green raffia and bedecked with sea stars and shells.
For fresh florals, you’ll want to shop early for one of Picket Fence’s fragrant wreaths, embellished with holiday ribbons and baubles. Or place an advance order for one of their stunning custom-designed protea wreaths. Festive centerpieces can be ordered with traditional greens or in combination with local tropical flowers.
Spruce up your holiday tree as well with a few new ornaments this year. Island Treasures has one of the larger collections of local creations: mini hand-painted glass ornaments; cute glass honu, pineapples and hibiscus; decorated sea shells; koa wood items; adorable Hawaiian mermaids, angels and hula dancers; and brightly painted sea urchin shells turned into whimsical jellyfish with matching streams of ribbons. Lauren Roth Art offers assorted laser-cut wood ornaments printed with the artist’s signature tropical flower designs. Brighten the kitchen with Lauren’s flour-sack tea towels, available in four merry designs that can stand alone or mixed and matched.
With your at-home stage set for a down-sized holiday gathering, have some fun designing a festive evening with a few besties. The knowledgeable staff at Island Olive Oil Company can suggest pairings for an olive oil and balsamic vinegar tasting, with more than four dozen flavors to sample (and you can make your own sets of 4 or 6 mini-bottles). You’ll also find a selection of gourmet items that include truffle salami and spicy sopressata (preservative- and antibiotic-free), stuffed olives and tapenades, and assorted risottos, pastas, pesto and sauces. The company website offers lots of tasty recipes to try, too, from starters to desserts, and even a few cocktails.