Stuff your stocking with slippers by Hayn, a local brand that launched just this year. The footwear is made from natural rubber tree sap with a soft top sole and firmer outer sole for comfort and durability. Choose from a rainbow of solid colors such as li hing mui and fruit punch ($24.95) or exclusive Sig Zane designs, that include Uluwehi o ke Kai ($34.95, pictured). Hayn is sold at Kicks/Hi at 1530 Makaloa St., T&C Surf Hawaii stores and online at shop.livehayn.com. — Jermel-Lynn Quillopo, Honolulu
Glow-in-the-dark pin promotes Hawaii hip-hop
After years as an online-only and pop-up retail shop, Lightsleepers Mc — the “Mc” stands for McCully — offers a neat little stocking stuffer for fans of Hawaii hip-hop or someone who likes to support local creatives. When Kavet “Kavet the Catalyst” Omo started the brand in the late 1990s, he had built a following as a radio deejay. He also spun vinyl records and rapped over the beats at parties and created winning T-shirt designs, all while holding a day job.
Over the years, the “Don’t Sleep” slogan grew into an all-encompassing mantra that continues to guide his business. Omo still has a finger on the pulse of what’s cool at his new streetwear/collectibles/record shop, where you can buy this glow-in-the-dark pin, created by U.K.-based Made by Cooper. At $10 it’s an affordable gift option that will provide instant street cred to whoever receives it. Lightsleepers MC is at 2009 S. King St. Visit lightsleepers.net. — Jason Genegabus
Limited-edition chocolate bars feature Haleiwa-grown cacao
Share Hawaii’s thriving culinary scene by adding Lonohana Hawaiian Estate Chocolate bars to gift baskets or stockings. The limited- edition craft chocolates are made by Seneca Klassen from cacao he grows on 14 acres in Haleiwa. Small batches of about 350 bars are produced every two months, and Klassen says no two batches are identical since he tweaks recipes to allow each harvest’s characteristics to shine. Most of the chocolates are sold through the Lonohana Chocolate Club. A basic $250 membership delivers three bars — each from a separate batch — every two months for a year. Individual bars are $12 at lonohana.com or at the company’s factory in Kalihi. — Joleen Oshiro
Fashionable bags inspired by nature
Hula practitioner Carrington Manaola Yap’s nature-inspired prints are now available in his new collection of bags. The prints, made using ohe kapala (bamboo stamps) that Yap carves himself, are fresh and contemporary. The Niho Ku print, reminiscent of the tooth patterns often found in Hawaiian artwork, are used on a leather and suede backpack ($325), suede card pouches ($72) and holders ($44), and the Kalanakila-style wallet ($46). Clutches are $115 to $175 in colors ranging from dusty rose to golden earth, marsala, gray and white. Find Manaola clothing and accessories at Hula Lehua at Ala Moana Center and manaolahawaii.com; call 944-8011. — Nina Wu
Contemporary Nativity crafted of koa
It’s been almost 25 years since my mother gave our young family an heirloom Nativity of fine porcelain. It’s always a big moment in our annual decorating ritual when the three-piece set is removed from its fancy box and carefully put in a place of honor among the holiday bric-a-brac.
Hoping to carry on the tradition with my now-grown kids, I was attracted to the contemporary design and warmth of this five-piece koa manger puzzle by Kaneohe craftsman Vic Koon. At 5 inches tall, it doesn’t take up a lot of space and is easy to pack. It’s new at select Martin & MacArthur stores and martinandmacarthur.com for $89. — Christie Wilson