WHEN WE BURN AWAY the commercialism that burdens Hanukkah and Christmas, we see their essence: miracles, a light cast upon our worlds to guide us. The books here will, we hope, themselves offer some illumination, to accompany us on a journey intellectual, emotional, spiritual.
POETRY
"Every Riven Thing," by Christian Wiman. (Farrar, Straus & Giroux, 90 pp.)

There's still fa-la-lots of preparation to go before gift giving’s upon us! We’ve been making our list here at Home for months to share with readers on the lookout for something just right for the home or garden. Happy gifting!
SOMETHING'S COOKING

Maybe no one listens to entire albums anymore, but if that's the case, it's a shame. Over the past 12 months, music lovers have been given albums that sound cohesive, fun and sometimes brilliant. Here, our staff presents our 10 favorites of 2011 - from Adele to Rahsaan Patterson.
Adele '21'

Every year, more and more ideas are out there that would make great local gifts to warm a nature lover’s heart.

Are you a cheater? If not, try it this holiday season.

We know. It sounds bad. But cheating can happen for a good reason.

There’s been an incessant clacking of keyboards in Toyland.

It’s the beat of cookbook authors diligently pounding out hundreds of volumes that cover everything from how to squeeze a lemon to how to be Emeril. One even teaches you how to cook like a native of Mumbai.

HO, HO, HO! Here it is – our annual home and garden gift guide to help steer the weariest of holiday shoppers through the fog of great home-improvement, decor, garden and leisure options for all budgets. Clear out your car trunks for this one. Happy gifting!
hands-on appeal

Box sets now resemble pieces of art – cleverly, even grandly packaged for die-hard music lovers.

Clothes, gadgets, gewgaws - who needs such gifts when a book, or two, or three, can take you on an enduring voyage?
Here's a look at books we'd love to give, or get - ideas from our book reviewers and The Pilot's news staff, as well as some ardent readers around town (including some librarians).
From reviewers & staff

From wire reports
It's hard to keep UP with technology that enhances our lives as we play, watch videos, listen to music, read and even get directions. To help you out, we've compiled a list of some of the hot items in the world of electronics that are sure to thrill the tech geeks on your list this holiday season.
Apple iPad
Starting at $499, www.apple.com