Start holiday amaryllis now

It may seem early, but if you want new amaryllis to be in bloom for the holidays, you need to get them started now. Other holiday favorites, such as paperwhites, bloom quickly. But most amaryllis take four to six weeks to fully flower. To save a few dollars, buy a bare bulb (rather than a potted one) and plant it in a container of your choice that's slightly bigger than the bulb itself. Water well and place the container in a sunny window.

• Looking for a way to shop for the holidays and do good at the same time? Presence of the Holidays brings together the work of 35 mostly Minnesota-area designers, crafters and artisans Saturday at the Suburban World Theatre in Uptown Minneapolis. Shoppers can browse the free event, accompanied by music, and see wooden boxes, iron and mosaic works, decorative pillows, baskets, jewelry, chocolates and other foodstuffs from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Additionally, each artist has donated a piece for a silent auction to benefit the restoration of the 1927-built theater. Jewelry artist and organizer Karla Haugen said food and drinks, including wine, will be available for purchase throughout the day. 3022 Hennepin Av. S., 612-743-6417.

• Gabbert's has seminars scheduled Friday and Sunday to help get you thinking about your holiday decor and entertaining; see the calendar on page E3 for details.

A Hickory Chair showroom, featuring handmade custom wood and upholstered furnishings, opened last week at International Market Square in Minneapolis. Managed by Fran Kraft, the 3,500-square-foot showroom features upholstery and case goods, including those from design partners Thomas O'Brien, Mariette Himes Gomez, Alexa Hampton and Suzanne Kasler. Although purchases are to the trade, the shop encourages public browsing; purchases can be made through the IMS Design Connection. 612-330-9448. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. weekdays; Suite 363, 275 Market St.

The iconic Eames Lounge Chair Wood, with painted red or ebony finishes, is back at Design Within Reach. The company said those colors were phased out when the aniline color palette was introduced in 2007, but have been frequently requested. Minneapolis studio manager Susan Wittine said the $799 item is shipped from the warehouse. 2939 Hennepin Av. S., 612-827-0990.

www.energysavers.gov/financial/index.cfm

Click on "appliance rebates" to learn about nearly $300 million in stimulus funds for purchasing new energy-efficient appliances. The Energy Department's site said the rebates are $50 to $250 per appliance, and will be available by the end of this year or early 2010.

A vineyard is an unorthodox landscape choice, especially for residential Wayzata. But it was a natural one for Billy Smith, who has filled his entire front yard with Minnesota-hardy grapevines. Smith, a self-taught vintner, is on a mission to create first-rate Minnesota wines. He also views his vineyard as a return to his property's agricultural roots. He lives on the old Foxglove Farm, where research pharmacist Frederick Upsher-Smith grew and processed flowers to make the drug digitalis.

KIM YEAGER, CONNIE NELSON