We'll be spending the week before Christmas in a condo on Maui and I have a few questions hoping someone can help me with.

1. I'd like to buy my Christmas cards in Maui, looking for Hawaiian motifs and I'll send them out from there. Are there any suggestions for a shop in Lahaina I should look for these?

2. We want to do the volcano at sunrise and cycle down. Any particular tour operators to go with and should I make a reservation before I leave the mainland?

3. We were also thinking of a helicoptor tour (1 hour). Any particular tour operators to check and should I reserve that too before leaving?

4. Suggestions where we can have a memorable Christmas dinner on the 24th (because we'll be flying home on the 25th). Memorable doesn't necessarily have to mean expensive. Luaus are out.

Thanks for any help!

I was out shopping yesterday and I needed to pick up another box of Christmas cards and had a hard time finding any that I liked. Island Heritage is one company that makes greeting cards that can be found all over, but the selections are pretty picked over already. Many of the shops on Front Street carry Island Heritage, so do the box stores, ABC stores, even Macy's had some yesterday. I think by the week before Christmas you'll just have to seek them out.

If you do a search for Haleakala bike ride on this message board you'll find very recent trip reports and discussions on the topic. But, yes, make your reservation soon. The holidays are veru busy here and the popular activities book up in advance!

As for a memorable meal, the oprions are endless. Mama's Fish House is always a nice way to end a trip, but it is pricey. The Plantation House in Kapalua is fabulous, as are I`o and Pacific`o, in the Lahaina area. So many from which to choose though! Do you want sushi, Italian, seafood, French, steak house... In Lahaina or in south Maui? Maybe dinner at one of the resorts, with the Chrsitmas lights and decorations as your setting? I would make reservations before long though because there will be maby others with the same idea -- to have a memorable Christamas Eve meal.

gone2maui, thanks for your reply. I think I will take your advice and make reservations for the tours soon.

We're staying in Maalaea so don't want to go too far from there on Christmas Eve. Restaurant at a resort sounds nice, with the decorations & all. Any you recommend in South Maui?

And where do I find the Maci's?

You can buy the cards on line before you go, to make sure you can actually find some.

http://www.maikaihawaii.com/hawaiian...tmas_cards.htm

http://www.islandartcards.com/shop/holiday1.html

http://www.myriahs.com/publishchristmas/xmascards.html

http://mailorderhawaii.com/Merchant2...egory_Code=HCC

kamahinaohoku, thanks for the links, but I think I would feel better if I could actually hold them in my hand before I buy them.

Macy's is at the Queen Ka`ahumanu Center in Kahului, but I bet you'll be hard-pressd to find any holiday cards there next week. kamahinaohoku's advice to buy them now on-line is good, but last year I ran out of cards and was not able to find any either inthe stores or on-line by mid-December and had to settle for some cheesey generic cards I found at WalMart to finish of my mailings. Of course, you can always buy a box of plain Aloha shirt cards and write in your own greeting.

The Kea Lani always decorates up beautifully and Nick's is there. That might be a nice dining option for you for Christmas Eve. I'd get those reservations made soon!

Many Mahalos to jml each of you, for posting! Just ordered a bunch of Hoku-The Star II from islandarts. LOVE THESE CARDS! Merry merry!!!!

Mahalo kamahinaohoku! You should post the websites titled Hawaiin Christmas Cards......sure many would love them!

gone2maui, thanks for the dinner suggestions.

That's not such a bad idea you had about the blank cards - maybe not an Aloha shirt - there must be beautiful Hawaiian blank cards for me to fill my Christmas greetings with, right?

jml........you really should look up the card I ordered. It is gorgeous with a beaufiful hawaiin message repeated in english. That said, last year we spent our first Christmas in Hawaii, and sent everyone postcards greeting them our Christmas cheer. Have a fabulous trip!!!

Hey, jml! You might try Long's Drugs for cards. They had the largest selection I have seen so far of cards, including Island Heritage, Local Kine, Coral Cards, Great Creations and more. They are 30% off this week and the clerk told me they would be 40% next week. Hopefully there will still be a fair selection left when you get here.

gone2maui, we're leaving the 18th. I think I'll race right over to Long's Drugs after we get settled in the condo. Is there one in Lahaina?

Yes, at the Cannery Mall, but if you are staying at Ma`alaea, the Kihei Longs will be easier for you to get to.