When it comes to last-minute gifts, you can't go wrong with the cute and clever kits and palettes put together by cosmetic and skin care companies, and even our local spas. They're typically a good value — and they're already wrapped. We shopped around to find some of the best.

— Paula Rath

PHILOSOPHY'S 'CANDY CANE' HAT BOX

Includes body scrub, shower gel and lip shine that smell amazingly like the Christmasy treat. Cost: $35. Not sold separately. At Sephora, which has a plethora of adorable gift sets. Also: We love "Best of Benefit" and "Supermodel Kit."

BURT'S BEES 'HEALTHY HANDS' REPAIR KIT

It offers cuticle creme, hand creme, hand repair creme and cotton gloves to help it all soak in. Cost: $12.99. If sold separately: $16.99. At Longs Drugs.

JAQUA GIFT BASKET

With three body washes, each in a festive holiday food scent, as well as Lollia Shea Butter Hand Creme and two Opi nail polishes. Cost: $37. If sold separately: $62. At Blush Kahala, which packages its own baskets ($20 to $120). Also: Bubble Shack, created by the Hardings of Waiawa Valley, offers 120 varieties of vegan soaps and body washes packaged in reusable lauhala bags for the holidays. The "Lilikoi Shave Ice" trio speaks to small-kid time. Cost: $30. At Down to Earth Honolulu, Bubble Shack in the International Marketplace, Vue Hawaii Kahala Mall and Mamo Howell, Ward Warehouse.

'PRETTY IN PARIS' FACE PALETTE BY BELLA IL FIORE

Offers four eye colors, three lip colors and one blush. Cost: $24. Not sold separately. At Blush Kahala. Also: Pulelehua About Face in Kapahulu packages a certificate for a Laser Genesis treatment with three Jan Marini skin care top sellers. Cost: $197. If sold separately: $447. There are 11 packages, costing $60 to $197, each with a spa treatment.

'SHEA TRAVEL TREASURES'

The Provence-inspired products at L'Occitane often appeal to both men and women with their subtle scents and unisex packaging. This is a great value. Shea butter is the emollient ingredient farmed by the women of Burkina Faso. Cost: $35. If sold separately: $65.

STYLIZE YOUR T

It's simple — bring in a photo on a CD, pick out your T-shirt, and wait for the magic. T shirt Lab Hawaii creates one-of-a-kind shirts with a digital, water-based ink that becomes imbedded into the fabric.

The process is one of the eco-friendliest forms of printing. There are no screens, iron-ons, or chemicals, which makes the shirt breathable and comfortable. Washing is simple, too — turn the shirt inside out, and wash it on regular cycle in cold water.

Bring out those photos of your own design, the family pet, or whatever image you choose, and turn it into wearable art; the possibilities are endless.

T Shirt Lab Hawaii, 1311 Kapi'olani Blvd.; 953-4701, www.tshirtlabhawaii.com.

RELEASES

PIMPIN' THE 'MUNKS

Are singing chipmunks really so different from Britney Spears?

In "Alvin and the Chipmunks," our furry little singing friends have been turned into tiny Justin Timberlakes. They use phrases like " 'sup, playa?" perform with Madonna-style headset microphones and even suffer from that chronic tour-canceler: "exhaustion."

No, they don't enter rehab, run over paparazzi or shave their heads. But Alvin, Simon and Theodore are young pop stars, susceptible to label management whims.

The chipmunks move with ease from the wild to civilization after their tree is chopped down and brought to Los Angeles, where they are taken in by out-of-work musician Dave Seville (Jason Lee).

But comedian David Cross is the best thing about the film, skewering music execs with lines like: "Dave, I'm going to pretend that I have a lunch to go to" — and then he does.

— Jake Coyle, Associated Press

HIP-HOP 'SOLUTION'

"I want to get off that bad-guy thing," says Beanie Sigel, 33. His latest CD, out Tuesday, is called "The Solution" (Roc-A-Fella).

The 14-song CD includes "The Day" and "Dear Self," soul-searching cuts that try to position the 5-foot-10, 260-pound Sigel as more than just the scowling capo on Jay-Z's Roc-A-Fella Records crew.

But he's not just a teddy bear.

He says the songs "people need to listen to" are "The Day," "No Bravery," and other thought-provoking numbers.

— Dan DeLuca, Philadelphia Inquirer

VISUALIZE A PLASTIC-FREE PA'IA

Funky little surf town Pa'ia, Maui, is working to go plastic-bag-free.

To help support the No Mo' Plastic Bags project, an artists collection of "circle bags" made of jute and painted by artists (including Peter Max) is being auctioned off through Jan. 25. Proceeds will buy reusable bags for the entire town. Some are signed by Mauians Laird Hamilton, Woody Harrelson, Robby Naish and Willie Nelson. See www.NoMoPlasticBag.com.

SALES & BARGAINS