Elegance prevails - What's News? Holiday Gifts Galore - high end Christmas decorations - Brief Article

USA Today (Society for the Advancement of Education), Nov, 2003

Last Christmas, we grudgingly gave up our kitschy decorating style in order to--putting it bluntly--"class up the joint." This holiday season--thanks to our 2002 encounter with Nambe, Orrefors, and Kosta Boda--our lowbrow ways of the past are no more than a distant memory.

We once again happily began our ornament search with Nambe, Santa Fe, N.M., the designer and manufacturer of tabletop and gift accessories by young, cutting-edge American designers. The company's limited edition holiday ornaments, in silver-clad metal and full-lead crystal, must be seen to be believed. (Incidentally, Nambe designs can be found in the permanent collections of the Museum of Modern Art--New York and San Francisco -- the Chicago Athenaeum, and the International Museum of Design, London.)

The 2003 collection, which builds on 2002's initial series of thematic designs, includes Aaron Johnson's Silent Night and the Laurie Brzezowksi trio of Star, Cross, and Duo. Each lists for $45. The Star and Cross include black satin cords for use as pendants when they're not hanging on your Christmas tree. To find dealers who stock Nambe products, go online at www.nambe.com.

Orrefors and Kosta Boda, West Berlin, N.J., the high--design Swedish art glass and tabletop product manufacturers, also have created unique pieces to celebrate the holiday season. Perfectly crafted in exquisite crystal is Erika Lagerbielke's four-piece Angel Collection.

Each is a redefinition in heavenly beauty. This season's Annual Ornament is a whimsical teddy bear in a Santa cap. Another stunning item is the two-piece Puzzle Votive, which, of course, fits together like an elegant puzzle. All are $50.

From Kosta Boda comes 2 Sweet Heart Votives ($100) and the Ornament Snowman ($25).

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