Saturday, Nov. 14, 2009

Reindeer Kisses and Chocolate Martinis: Get your gourmet fix at Belleville event

If you are a fan of good chocolate, plan to attend Chocolate Sunday this Sunday from noon to 4 p.m. at Allison's Common Scents Shoppe, 122 E. Main St., in downtown Belleville. It's an annual event that will have you leaving the store well-stocked with Chocolate-Covered Potato Chips (hand-made and hand-dipped in a decorative tin, $9.95, or a small bag for $2.25), Chocolate Martini Mix (32-ounce bottle, $8), Reindeer Kisses (sweet raspberries in chocolate, $2.25) and so much more to make your mouth water. Free gourmet chocolate samples, plus sales and specials on everything chocolate. ...

... This deal means you'll have to dig through your holiday light strings now, but it might be worth it if you want to save on your electric bill: At Home Depot stores, recycle your used or broken incandescent light strings and get $3 off any energy-efficient set of Christmas lights. Replace them with, for example, a set of 50 LED white lights on sale now for $5.97. A big 85-foot reel of 250 mini LED bulbs is sale priced at $24.97. Why choose LED holiday lights? They use 80 percent less energy than incandescent light strings. ...

... If you know someone with a baby on the way, a practical gift could be Consumer Reports "Best Baby Products." An A-to-Z guide, you'll find it for $16.95 at Babies R Us in Fairview Heights. Plus, all those cute baby bibs for the holidays are on sale for $3.74. ...

... Great housewarming or hostess gift: Available at Burlington Coat Factory in Fairview Heights, the Decadent Diva High Heel Cake Server ($9.99) is a stainless-steel cake server with a serrated edge and a detachable magnetic kitten heel. Inside the hollow heel is sparkly flakes that dance around when you shake it. Choose from pink, purple, white or yellow sparkles and matching ribbon. ...

... Make holiday cooking and baking fun with the Kinderkitchen collection of kitchen tools designed just for children. Sur La Table at Plaza Frontenac or online at surlatable.com has a variety of practical tools with whimsical designs. The Crocodile Jaws Tongs ($5.95) are bright green, imaginative and perfectly safe for little hands. Also look for the Duck Snippers ($18), Mouse Measuring Cups ($14) and more. ...

... Dollar Tree (near Burlington Coat Factory) has a clear acrylic snack tray set with three connecting square bowls for a buck. Plus, if you're a fan of waxed paper (I still use it a lot when microwaving), you'll find rolls for just $1. ...

... Need extra disposable aluminum pans and containers? Old Time Pottery in Fairview Heights is stocked to the rafters with every size, plus $1 glass salad bowls with matching plates that can fill in for extra settings at the holiday table. ...

... Need to protect your new dining room table? Bed, Bath & Beyond in Fairview Heights sells vinyl table pads ($9.99 to $34.99) that you can cut to fit any size. Or, for that young baker, pick up a 12-piece Kids Cupcake Set for $4.99. It includes everything from apron and whisk to mini cupcake pan, measuring spoons and carrying case. ...