GREER WYLDER -- Best Buys

The Orange County Chapter of Women of Vision has a holiday gift idea

ideal for friends and family. “Why not honor them with a donation made

through The Women of Vision Bells of Christmas program,” says Susan S.

Champion of Women of Vision. “Women of Vision offers you an opportunity

this Christmas season to honor someone special in your life -- someone

dear to your heart, someone who made that extra effort on your behalf and

in doing so made a difference in your life -- a friend, a relative, a

co-worker, a teacher or a pastor.” When you make a donation in someone’s

name, you’ll help needy families in Orange County, Kenya, Peru and

Palestine. “A personalized card of recognition will be sent to each

person you wish to honor to let him or her know just how special they

are,” says Champion. For more information on the Bells of Christmas

program, please call Marie Forde at (949) 494-6529 or Women of Vision

headquarters at (949) 768-9207.

The Custom Shop makes the best custom men’s clothing. It’s offering

two holiday gift packages, with a $200 savings through Sunday. There’s a

business gift package for $249 that includes a custom shirt, priced at up

to $115, with a coordinating doeskin pant. It’s a $310 value. There’s

also a business dress package for $995. It includes a two-piece suit,

priced at up to $995, or a pant and sport coat combination, valued at

$1,045. The package also includes a custom shirt, valued at up to $115,

and a tie valued at $59.50. The Custom Shop is also selling at 10% off

gift certificates ideal for gift giving. The Custom Shop is in the Crate

& Barrel wing of South Coast Plaza in Costa Mesa. Information: (714)

549-1264.

Schock Boats is having a Christmas delivery special on a boat, motor

and trailer for $8,800. The 13-foot sport boat comes complete with two

bench seats, a side console, sport steering wheel, tachometer, six-gallon

fuel tank, navigation lights and more. It also comes with a transferable

10-year warranty. Schock Boats is at 2900 Lafayette St., Newport Beach.

Information: (949) 673-2050.

There are dozens of craft-related items on sale at JoAnn Fabrics and

Crafts. The pre-Christmas sale merchandise is reduced by up to 60%. It

includes candles, stickers, trims by the yard, fabrics, buttons, holiday

florals, winter greens, Christmas baskets, light sets, and Christmas

dried floral bunches. The day after Christmas, there will be a one-day,

40% off sale on patterns, acrylic paints, Christmas ribbon, Christmas

decor, floral stems, ornaments, holiday trims and tassels, and a cutting

table. JoAnn Fabrics and Crafts is at 2200 Harbor Blvd., Costa Mesa.

Information: (949) 642-2340.

The Frog House is clearing out its girls’ clothing and has reduced

everything 50%. The girls’ apparel brands on sale include Hurley, Volcom

and Roxy. There are also a few men’s large O’Neill wetsuits reduced by

30%. The Frog House carries everything you need for surfing, including

boards, wetsuits and clothing. It’s at 6908 W. Coast Highway, Newport

Beach.

Last minute Christmas shoppers can find convenience at Fashion Island.

There is gift-wrapping and shipping available at The Mail Room, in the

Service Shops near Tutto Mare, The Ultimate Invitation in Atrium Court,

and Satinder’s Hallmark near the koi pond. There are also two seasonal

stores open. The first is Macy’s Holiday Lane, adjacent to Robinsons-May.

The store sells artificial Christmas trees, ornaments and a large

selection of holiday decor. Christmas Dazzle, in the Atrium Park, it

sells ornaments and artificial trees, as well as decorated trees. There

is also an in-home holiday decorating service. The Santa’s Village

cottage is open, and Fashion Island recommends avoiding crowds by

visiting Santa on weekday mornings and weekends before noon. A portion of

the proceeds from the purchase of a photo with Santa will go toward

HomeAid Orange County, a nonprofit organization that builds shelters for

the temporarily homeless. For easy last-minute gifts, stop by for a gift

certificate at the Greenhouse Spa. Chocoholics will love a box of

Teuscher Chocolates flown in weekly from Switzerland, a gourmet gift

basket from Farmer’s Market, or a gift certificate to Roy’s of Newport

Beach for Hawaii’s best cuisine. The hot gifts this year are any fine

jewelry piece from Mayors Jewelers and Neiman Marcus, and leather

clothing and accessories from Wilsons Leather and Bloomingdale’s.

BEST BUYS appears Thursdays and Saturdays. Send information to Greer

Wylder at 330 W. Bay St., Costa Mesa, CA 92627, or via fax at (949)

646-4170.