Cool ceramic finds at Pier 1

Pier 1 has always been the spot to find Papasans -- those first-apartment rattan chairs that look like giant bowls on a drum shaped base -- not to mention wicker and Indian print textiles. Lately however, the chain retailer has become a reasonably reliable source for ceramics.

A recent visit unearthed a collection of
tiny earth-toned bottles and vases for under $5 each and these exuberant made-in-China accent pieces. The
female figurines, which imitate majolica ware, may be a bit too vivid for some tastes, but the crackle-glazed gourd-shaped bottle vase, $15 striped in Palm Springs blue and sunset orange, should delight any mid-century modernist on your hostess gift list.

These were found at the 5711 Hollywood Blvd. store, (323) 466-3443

--David Keeps

Photo: David Keeps

Good site for coupons and other deals

Before you go shopping, either at an e-tailer or an actual store in the real world, check out the Web to see if there are promotions, discounts or rebates for what you plan to buy.  In an economy like this, there's no reason to pay full retail.

One interesting website is www.moneycents.net, which highlights several "deals of the day," such as 25% off a single item at Sports Authority. Use code TSAXUEU or the printable coupon that is linked to the site. The deal is valid through Dec. 7.

Another promotion is a link to a printable coupon for Bath and Body Works for a free item (up to $13) with a $10 purchase that expires Dec. 24.

Click on the section categories "coupons" and "current deals" on the site and you can find links to all sorts of other deals, such as a printable coupon to save 25% off a purchase at Papyrus, the greeting card chain, through Dec. 6.

—Jerry Hirsch

Santa's Little Helper: Green gift-wrapping and cards

If you feel guilty about the mountain of glittery wrapping paper and holiday cards that goes straight into the trash after Christmas, there are a number of creative and easy do-it-yourself options that are greener.

Try looking around the house for material that could be used instead of gift wrap, such as extra fabric, old maps, fancy paper bags and glossy magazine ads.

"The message we’re trying to get out this year is save money on the wrap and make that yourself so you can spend money wisely on the gift," said Paul McRandle, deputy editor of National Geographic’s the Green Guide.

Other ideas:

• Wrap your present with another present. If you bought your sister a scarf, why not use it to wrap the CD you also got her?
• Wrapping with newspaper? Make it more personal and relevant by matching the gift to the section. For example, you could wrap a cookbook with the food section, or a children's game with the comics.
• If you can't bear to give up wrapping paper, use it to cover a shoebox and place your present inside. Like a gift bag, your decorated shoebox can be used again and again.

Others say the bare-bones approach is gaining acceptace. "The buzzwords here are don't wrap the package," said Richard Giss, a partner at accounting firm Deloitte & Touche's consumer business division in Los Angeles. "Leave it in the box, and if you want, decorate the box."

Not feeling particularly artistic? Many stores sell wrapping and holiday cards made from 100% recycled paper. Green Field Paper Co., based in San Diego, produces handmade cards from recycled paper, including cards made from hemp and junk mail. One of the company's most popular holiday items is its handmade "Grow-A-Note" greeting cards, which are embedded with wildflower seeds. Once you’re done enjoying your card, you can rip it up and plant it in the ground. A box of four cards sells for about $15 and can be found at specialty retailers around Los Angeles.

"The beauty of that is, especially toward the holidays, you're giving a gift as well," co-owner Shari Smith said. But "when you do plant it, make sure there's no information you need on that card."

And although they aren't as personal as handwritten notes, e-cards don't use paper — recycled or not — and are usually free.

-- Andrea Chang

Photo: A Los Angeles sanitation truck picks up holiday gift wrapping materials after Christmas in 2006. Credit: Gary Friedman / Los Angeles Times

Santa's Little Helper: Gifts for kids who cook

We asked Times Food writer Amy Scattergood to, uh, cook up a list of gift ideas for the pint-sized chef in your life. Here's what she, uh, served up:

1) "Fanny At Chez Panisse: A Child’s Restaurant Adventures with 46 Recipes" by Alice Waters. Shop around, but we found it at Amazon.com for $14.

2) An immersion blender. Great, safe, convenient tool for kids with a big fun factor. Shop around, as prices vary.

3) Kid’s chef outfits (hats, coats, aprons). Shop around, but prices range from $9 to $25. Here's one site we like.

4) Colorful measuring cups. Teach basic measuring and math skills while you work on recipes. The cooler colors, the better.

5) Tongs, about $20 and up. Kids LOVE these; good for lifting up pasta, etc., as well as playing jousting games with and picking up mudpies.

Furniture trend: Keeping it under wraps

Retailers may be hurting, but this photo gallery takes a look at one category enjoying a bump: furniture that doubles as storage.

-- Rene Lynch

Photo: BoConcept

How Crafty: Making gifts instead of just buying 'em

Far be it for me to refuse a Target gift card or a pound of coffee, but I always prefer getting a present that is handmade.

I’m not alone. Americans are waking up to the fact that "handmade" doesn’t mean what it used to. Back in the day it suggested crocheted toilet paper holders and carved wooden pen holders, but today that label refers to finely crafted jewelry and pottery, sophisticated letterpress stationery and chic clothing -- items that are well designed and beautifully crafted.

Handmade goods are the focus of two upcoming Los Angeles shows. First up is Felt Club, which bills itself as a juried indie craft fair featuring artists, crafters and designers who turn out hand-spun wool, one-of-a-kind collages and all manner of other works. Past shows have drawn hundreds of people.

This year’s holiday show is Sunday, Nov. 16, from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the Shrine Auditorium Expo Center downtown. It will feature an eclectic group of vendors such as Berkley Illustration, the Modern Pet and Tori Higa Stationery.

Planning a party?

Ask yourself: Is it more economical to buy, or rent?

--Craig Nakano

Doubling up: Bunk beds

The bunk bed is bouncing back, propelled in part by the nation's housing crisis: With so many Americans hunkered down in their homes and unable to trade up to larger residences, growing families are making do with tight quarters. Having children share a bedroom, retailers say, is becoming an increasingly common solution. Here's a look at some options:

Photo credit: Argington

Sofa beds with style

Are the out-laws coming for Christmas?

Forget the clunky sofa beds of years past. Take a spin through these photos of the latest sofa-bed designs: They mix comfort and style as they do double duty.

--Rene Lynch

Photo credit: Blu dot

Arts & Crafty: Sunday clothing swap

Your wardrobe needs a pick-me-up, but you're short on cash. What to do?

Head over to the Shrine Auditorium on Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. for the Swap-O-Rama-Rama.

What's a Swap-O-Rama-Rama, you ask?

The basic premise is to gather up a bag of clothing you no longer need, and take it over to the swap. Your clothes will be thrown in with items brought by other swap-goers. Volunteers will sort the items. You're then free to rummage and take home anything in the piles of clothing that your heart desires! Designers will be on hand to help you transform used items into hip new creations -- from silk-screening a T-shirt to sewing scarves, mittens, holiday stockings and stuffed animals. There's no limit to what you can take home, and all unclaimed clothes at the end of the day are donated to charity.

In addition to the clothing swap, Felt Club will be hosting a craft show of independent designers. Swap-O-Rama-Rama organizer Lori Petitti says they're expecting 3,000 to 5,000 people for the Felt Club exhibit alone.

Admission is $5 if you bring a bag of clothes, and $10 if you come empty-handed. The auditorium is at 665 W. Jefferson Blvd., Los Angeles.

Read about the June Swap-O-Rama-Rama in Venice here, and to see a video, click here. The event website is here.

-- Julie Makinen

Photo: June's Swap-O-Rama-Rama in Venice attracted about 300 people. Credit: Lori Petitti.