Plenty of Christmas choice and cheer at the Plaza

GREER WYLDER

South Coast Plaza is adding enjoyment to the holidays with festive

events.

On Sunday and Monday at 6 p.m., don’t miss one of Orange County’s

oldest holiday traditions -- the tree-lighting ceremony at Town

Center Park, next to the Westin South Coast Plaza. The 90-foot

Christmas tree sparkles with more than 15,000 lights, and

entertainment is provided by the All-American Boys Chorus.

Photos with Santa can be taken at two locations through Dec. 24 --

at the Carousel Court and Macy’s Home Store Wing on Level 1. Santa’s

Express Train rides for children run through Jan. 2 at the Crate &

Barrel Wing on Level 2.

Children can create crafts at Santa’s Village. In the Alpine Wood

Shop, children can decorate wooden toys, reindeer or sleighs. They

can design an ornament or miniature carousel inside the Holiday

Trimmings Shop. Children can also create a Santa cookie tray or

decorate stuffed animals and ornaments at the Village Bake Shop.

Also, the horses on South Coast Plaza’s carousel are being

replaced with Santa’s reindeer in the Carousel Court.

A WIDE SELECTION

South Coast Plaza is offering a collection of stores, both

seasonal boutiques and year-round stores.

* Brookstone offers unique and functional gifts. This interactive

store encourages shoppers to touch, test and play with its products.

Located in the Macy’s Home Store wing, Level 1. (714) 662-5923.

* Calendar Club is considered the world’s largest calendar

retailer. Shoppers can choose from wall, desk and engagement

calendars for every interest and occasion. Located in the Macy’s Home

Store Wing, Level 1. (714) 751-8741.

* Cinnamon Girl carries original print sundresses for women and

girls. There’s also a collection of jewelry, hats, hair clips, home

and bath items. Located in the Macy’s Home Store wing, Level 2. (714)

432-1568.

* Christmas Dazzle carries ornaments from around the world and

handmade gifts created by artists and craftsmen. Located in the

Macy’s Home Store Wing, Level 3. (714) 641-3500.

* Day-By-Day offers hundreds of calendars conveniently categorized

by popular topics including travel, sports, animals, entertainment

and more. Located in the Sears Wing, Level 1. (714) 435-2000.

* Go! The Game Store supplies the latest board games, puzzles,

mind bogglers, party games and kids games. Located in the Macy’s Home

Store Wing, Level 1. (714) 751-0622.

* Hallmark Christmas Store. Hallmark Gold Crown doubles its size

with a Christmas Annex. It offers twice the gift selection, Christmas

cards and gift-wrap. UPS, FedEx and Postal Service delivery is

available, as is custom gift-wrapping. Located in the Macy’s Home

Store Wing, Level 1. (714) 540-4760.

* Home Holidays & Traditions offers collectibles, handcrafted

one-of-a-kind ornaments, personalized stockings and complimentary

personalization on ornaments. Located between Jewel and Carousel

Court, Level 1. (714) 546-1049.

* Joseph Schmidt Confections designs and sculpts using Belgian

chocolate. There’s also an assortment of truffles, pralines and other

chocolates, featuring a clean, crisp look. Located near Carousel

Court, Level 1. (714) 444-4418.

* Mrs. Beasley’s carries holiday baskets filled with gourmet

foods, wine and champagnes. Located in the Macy’s Home Store Wing,

Level 1. (714) 966-2450.

* The Wrapper provides gourmet gift baskets for corporate and

family giving that feature premium wines, champagne and fine foods.

Shipping, delivery and gift-wrapping are available. Located between

Jewel and Carousel Court, Level 2. (714) 556-1234.

THE TIFFANY TOUCH

Tiffany & Co., an American symbol of fine craftsmanship and style,

was founded in New York in 1837. Tiffany’s established revolutionary

ideas that include the country’s first retail catalog, packaging

merchandise in distinctive Tiffany Blue boxes, and it was the first

American company to use a 925/1000 sterling silver standard.

Founder Charles Lewis Tiffany was intrigued by classic silver

designs -- simple and elegant -- that brought acclaim by experts in

Paris in 1867. It was the first time an American company had been

regarded as a premier jeweler internationally. Tiffany also

established the “Tiffany Setting,� a six-pronged diamond solitaire

engagement ring that emphasizes a diamond’s brilliance by raising the

stone up from the band.

Tiffany & Co. offers premier luxury goods, including diamonds,

watches, jewelry table settings, gifts and accessories. Celebrated

jewelry designers who have contributed to Tiffany & Co. with

beautiful collections include Jean Schlumberger, Elsa Peretti and

Paloma Picasso.

For fall, Tiffany has introduced sleek and hip sterling silver

pendants that were inspired by the company’s Atlas watch collection.

It features raised Roman numerals, and matte and diamond-polished

surfaces. The classic pendants can be engraved, and they make great

stylish gifts. Prices range from $170 to $225.

Open 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday to Friday; 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Saturday; 11 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Sunday. Level 1, near Nordstrom. (714)

540-5330. www.tiffany.com.

* BEST BUYS appears Thursdays. Send information to Greer Wylder at

[email protected]; at 1375 Sunflower Ave., Costa Mesa, CA 92626;

or by fax at (714) 966-4679.