As the holidays draw near, many people will be receiving invitations from family, friends and neighbors to get together for some holiday cheer. Proper etiquette is to bring a little something for the host or hostess. The holiday gift team at Canadian Tire has a few suggestions on how to pick a special something for the gracious host.

• Often people bring a bottle of wine. Why not complement it with wine charms, festive swizzle sticks or a wine topper? All are decorative and functional.

• Figure out how your host or hostess likes to spend their time. For example, if they entertain often, get something they can use when preparing or serving food and drinks. Canadian Tire carries a line-up of stainless steel bar accessories like bottle openers, drink shakers and ice buckets, as well as serving dishes and platters.

• Find out your host’s favorite scent and pick up a candle, candle centerpiece, or scented oil in their favorite scent.

• Bring along a decorative picture frame, photo album or photo box for the host to store holiday season memories.

• Think about your host’s hobbies when shopping and stop by a store like Canadian Tire that has pre-wrapped gift baskets and themed gifts for the cook, do-it-yourselves, automotive, golf or hockey enthusiast.

Your holidays will sparkle even brighter when you give a gift that helps make children’s wishes come true. This year, Things Remembered offers a collectible holiday ornament, musical snow globe and star keepsake box — all benefiting the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

Make-A-Wish gifts became a tradition at Things Remembered in 1998 when one critically ill child, Elysia, wished to give her family and friends personalized ornaments saying “Thank you, I love you, and always remember me.” Her single wish has grown into an annual program that allows the wishes of children across the nation to come true.

If you’ve got something to say this holiday, Make-A-Wish items can be engraved with your own special message. They are available at Things Remembered stores nationwide and online at www.thingsremembered.com.

Make-A-Wish Holiday Ornament

Made of genuine pewter, the heart-shaped ornament is bejeweled with red and white Swarovski crystals and tied with an organza bow. Available for $17.95, $2 from the sale of each limited edition ornament helps grant the fondest wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions.

Make-A-Wish Musical Holiday Snow Globe

The Make-A-Wish holiday snow globe winds up to play “Twelve Days of Christmas.” Inside the glass dome is a jolly scene of two adorable snowmen and a sack full of goodies. Two dollars from the sale of each holiday snow globe also goes to the Make-A-Wish Foundation. The snow globe retails for $24.95.

Make-A-Wish Star Keepsake Box

An enchanting Star Keepsake Box with inspirational wishing stones is the first-ever, year-round Make-A-Wish gift from Things Remembered. The brushed silver-plated keepsake box can be engraved with a personal message. Inside, five lovely wishing stars are inscribed with the words “Peace, Hope, Love, and Dreams,” with the fifth star adorned with the Make-A-Wish logo. Brilliant Swarovski crystals glitter on each of the star’s five points. Equally brilliant, $5 from each sale benefits the Make-A-Wish Foundation. The Star Keepsake Box is available for $34.95.

According to Suzanne Sutter, president of Things Remembered, this sixth holiday season of distinctive Make-A-Wish gifts will bring the total amount raised for the foundation to well over $1 million.

“It is our privilege to carry on this wonderful tradition in honor of Elysia’s memory,” states Sutter. “We’re pleased to be partners with the Make-A-Wish Foundation in its efforts of bringing hope, strength, and joy into the lives of children with life-threatening medical conditions.”