Graphic T-shirts become kids’ wear

Cookies Maui kids’ playwear is just about the cutest thing I’ve seen in a while. Maggie Welker of Haiku scours yard sales and thrift stores for commemorative and graphic T-shirts, ingeniously upcycling them into comfy, 100 percent cotton sundresses ($40) and pants ($36). Sleeves become pockets, and Welker finishes each garment with fun stitching and trim. (She also takes custom orders if you provide the T-shirt.) I found her at a craft fair on the Valley Isle and picked up a rare find for my little grandniece Cera (also very cute): a sundress fashioned from a T-shirt for the late, great Kitada’s Kau Kau Korner in Makawao.

Find Cookies Maui clothing at select Maui boutiques and The Growing Keiki, 66-051 Kamehameha Highway in Haleiwa. Visit cookiesmaui.com or email cookiesmaui@gmail.com. — Christie Wilson

Mermaid blankets add touch of whimsy

You don’t have to get wet to find your inner mermaid with these blankets from Uakea Egami’s Me & U Hawai‘i. Offered in four prints and lined with cuddly fabric, the mermaid tails come in various lengths suitable for swaddling toddlers to adults. Prices range from $110 to $155. Order by Dec. 14 to ensure Christmas delivery. Visit byuakea.com, call 554-0480 or email byuakea@gmail.com. — Nancy Arcayna

Updated swim fins designed by the pros

If, like me, someone on your gift list has been in a long-term relationship with their old-school Churchill swim fins, it might be time to hook them up with newer models. DaFins ($68.95) were developed with the help of watermen Mark Cunningham and Brian Keaulana and are endorsed by the U.S. Lifesaving Association. Kicks ($62.95, pictured), designed by bodyboarder Aka Lyman, are short and stubby, perfect for popping up onto a knee. Air Hubbs ($54.95) were designed by bodyboarding champion Jeff Hubbard, who, when not ripping up his home surf on Kauai, will venture out to do aerials at Pipeline. All are available at T & C Surf Designs and other surf shops. — Steven Mark

Aulta watches provide timeless style

Aulta watches were conceived on the North Shore when pro surfer Pancho Sullivan and partners Abe Allouche and Marty Pomphrey were out surfing. The watches are made to suit water and outdoor enthusiasts and are water-resistant to 100 meters. The Miyota chronograph movements, used by Citizen and other top brands, are encased in surgical-grade stainless steel. These stylish watches give the impression that you take time seriously, with a timer function and secondary 24-hour dial.

While the watch is masculine, it makes a statement on a woman. I love the version with a saddle-leather band in Aulta’s Leeway line. Offered in various colors with polyurethane, nylon or leather bands, Aulta watches are $85 to $115 at aultasurf.com. — Elizabeth Kieszkowski

Tasty fruit bread is just sweet enough

I’m a sugar addict, but during the holidays when there’s such an abundance of confections, I look for treats that are not as sweet as the usual fare and that I can enjoy while sipping hot chocolate or tea on rainy days. I found just the thing in Kahala Hotel & Resort’s Signature Fresh-Baked Christmas Stollen ($20). The seasonal 8-1/2-inch loaf is packed with dark and golden raisins, hand-preserved orange and lemon peel, roasted almonds, rum, German marzipan and spices, all topped with melted butter and sprinkled with Maui vanilla sugar. Order now at 739-8760 for pickup between Dec. 15 and New Year’s Eve. — Michelle Ramos

Our special holiday series features gifts with a Hawaii connection. Please keep in mind that featured items may be in short supply and may not be available at all store locations; prices may vary. Tell us what Hawaii-related gifts you love to give by emailing features@staradvertiser.com.