Elegant ornaments - What's new? Holiday gifts galore - Buyers Guide

Kitsch can be cool, even at Christmas time. And Lord knows, come the holidays, we l-o-v-e to decorate in lowbrow fashion. Yet, a part of us has always wanted to "class up the joint," so to speak, which is why we turned to Nambe, Santa Fe, N.M., the designer and manufacturer of tabletop and gift accessories by young, cutting-edge American designers. Its new line of sterling silver-clad and full-lead crystal ornaments are the first in what will become an annual series of thematic designs.

The 2002 collection includes Laurie Brzezowski's Ribbon Cross Ornament, 2002 Star Ornament, and Swirl Ornament ($45 each). They can serve as holiday decorations and wearable year-round pendants. The Ribbon Cross takes a typical cross and rounds and hollows it out, evoking two main themes for the holidays--the bow and the cross. The Star and Swirl, likewise, are hollowed out and eye-catching. Crystal ornaments include the Eternal Bond ($45), the first in the Silent Night Collection, symbolizing the tranquil joy of an enduring mother-and-child union. The Unity Cross ($45) with its asymmetrical swooping lines, adds a playful feel to a traditional icon. Finally, there is the Surf Votive ($35), wherein the sweeping shape of this crystal candleholder evokes the dancing ocean surf and swells of the undulating surface, thus creating the illusion of movement when the flame flickers. To find dealers who stock Nambe products, go online at www.nambe.com.

Orrefors and Kosta Boda, both from West Berlin, N.J., high-design Swedish art glass and tabletop product manufacturers, have created some unique pieces to celebrate the holiday season as well. From Orrefors, there is Quartet ($100), four votive candleholders of differing heights; Snowlight ($75-85), two bowls of different sizes blown in opaque white glass, with the optic squares and stripes of the bowls forming an intriguing pattern when a light is placed in the interior; Angel of Peace ($50), in which she bears a dove whose message is peace and tranquility; and the 2002 Christmas Stocking ($50), a way to fulfill hopes of a holiday season full of happy surprises.

From Kosta Boda comes the Painted Christmas Ornament ($25), which is adorned with a golden-haired angel.

To find these beautiful holiday pieces, check www.orrefors.com and www.kostaboda.com, respectively.

COPYRIGHT 2002 Society for the Advancement of Education
COPYRIGHT 2002 Gale Group