Supermarket shopping mall

A loaf of bread, a container of milk and ... holiday gifts? Versatility grows in grocery aisles

With Christmas just a day away, gift options may seem limited. Don't panic.

There is a place not far from your home, with all kinds of gifts for sale, that's open late (in some cases, all night) and has plenty of parking.

Your neighborhood supermarket.

To save time, opt for gift-shopping while picking up groceries for the holiday weekend of parties and potlucks. This would be particularly useful if you forgot someone special or have postponed buying a gift. Grocery stores are continually expanding their stock to include lots more than food.

One tip: Many of the best items are stashed above food shelves, so look up.

All prices are subject to change.

Toys

Grocery stores were once good for only party-favor-type toys, not suitable for gifts. Times have definitely changed and now Barbie dolls, Hot Wheels, Furby, plug-and-play games, remote-control cars, robotic dinosaurs, Nerf balls and an array of stuffed animals line shelves.

Safeway in Kapolei offers the most variety, including an oversized Mr. Potato Head that houses a family of four potato heads, two regular-sized and two minis for $24.99.

Housewares and decor

You don't need Macy's or even Wal-mart for practical or decorative items for the home. Times Supermarket has a variety of coffee-makers, including a brew-and-go travel mug for $12.99. Other items included a Braun pocket shaver for $11.99 and cookware from $12.99 to $19.99.

Star Markets has a good selection of wine, martini and margarita glasses priced from $1.99 to $4.69. Corkscrews, bottle sealers and accessories are available at most markets.

Foodland offers fleece blanket throws for $6.99. Suede pillows, vases and an assortment of candleholders are on sale at Safeway. An assortment of DVDs and books can also be found at the various supermarkets.

Bath and body

Markets offer an array of items that could be given as stand-alone gifts or combined in a gift basket. Star Market has an elaborate selection of bath sponges, brushes and loofahs starting at a mere $2.69, along with body scrubs, lotions and herbal bath salts. Gaiam yoga mats ($21.99) and a balance ball ($29.99) are more good choices. Lipstick, glosses, nail polish and various cosmetic products and hair accessories are always easy to find.

Clothing

Foodland offers a selection of aloha attire for the entire family. Batik-like tops for Mom, dresses for the little girls and aloha shirts for the boys in the family run $19.99. Sunglasses are normally available as well.

Gift baskets

Whether you are packaging a gift for the barbeque king, dainty gal, gardener or chef, the possibilities are endless.

» For the grillmaster: Package some charcoal briquettes with barbeque sauce, grilling forks, spatulas or other tools and throw in a grocery gift card to complete the package.

» For the gardener: Potting soil, garden tools, a potted herb plant or seeds can fill a basket that could be used later to hold a plant. Orchid plants also make nice gifts.

» For the gourmet: Pair Imported cheeses with crackers, breads and wine. Or put together a pasta package with spaghetti bowls, cheese shaker, pasta and sauce -- a meal ready to go.

» For the girly-girl: Choose from eye shadows, lipsticks, nail polish and more to customize a special make-up kit.

Gifts of romance

Roses, floral arrangements, sparkling wine or chocolates are a few gifts that simply say, "I love you."

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Banzais will be bountiful with gift of booze

Alcohol remains one of the most convenient Christmas gifts. For family and friends, co-workers and complete strangers -- as long as they're at least 21 -- booze is an affordable way to spread holiday cheer.

Most supermarkets offer a variety of boxed gift sets at this time of year, which include a bottle of liquor with some kind of glassware. At Foodland Beretania, a wide variety of sets were still available this week.

Even better, the price is the same as buying just the bottle. A 750 ml bottle of Ciroc was on special for $31.99 with a Maika'i Card, with the boxed set adding a pair of distinctly styled glasses. Grey Goose ($29.99), Belvedere ($33.99) and Tanqueray 10 ($35.99) all come with a traditional martini glass.

Get a little more ambitious, and even more alcoholic gift-giving options are available around town.

The Wine Stop (1809 S. King St., 946-3707) offers four gift baskets, from $35 to $175, and will be open until 11 p.m. today and 8 p.m. Christmas Eve. Employees will help you create a custom basket if you call in advance.

The Liquor Collection (Ward Warehouse, 524-8808) is another good choice if you're shopping for a wine aficionado, while also providing unique options for the beer and hard-liquor drinkers in your life.

Heading to Christmas dinner? A quick stop today for a bottle of wine or a mix-and-match six-pack of microbrews will work in a pinch. There is also a limited selection of champagne and sparkling wine.

If you're willing to spend big bucks, this is the place to do it. Try not to blink as you plunk down $260 for a bottle of Cuvee du Cent Citiquatenaire Grand Mariner, or $325 for a 21-year-old bottle of Macallan whisky.

Or, go for the granddaddy of them all, a gift mouth-watering enough that it might knock someone off the wagon. For a cool two grand, a limited-edition "Baccarat Crystal" decanter of Hennessy will last longer than any bottle of Cristal ever could!