It's time to outfit the kids for December gatherings.

The Purple Pansy suggests traditional red accents for boys. Little guys stay comfy in easy long-sleeve tees. Choose Santa Moose on a navy background ($26) or polar bears on sage ($22). Dress-up 4-7s in red sweaters from E-land Kids: cable half-zip ($52) or pull-over ($55). And a gray wool blend with red and green argyle diamonds works all winter long ($35).

Combine whimsy and a hip color palette with a pant set from MisTeeV-Us. Holiday package graphics mix with lively orange, lime, red stripes ($70-$78). Shaggy red fur trim will make this outfit a favorite.

A dress from Michael Simon features embellishments to spare. Snowmen against sky blue with beaded snowflakes, pom-poms, beads, $50-$54.

Keep her cozy in plush-to-the-touch jumbo floral print outerwear ($84-$115). Sweet Pea button-up or easy-on zip-up wrap swing coat are memorable in pink and green or brown and soft blue. Add a matching roll hat ($25).

Don't forget head-to-toe accessories. Bowed black velvet headband or hair bows with Santa, snowman, feather accents, $6-$20. Include socks with festive beads and charms ($14), red tights with snowmen ($13).

The Purple Pansy, 580 Buttermilk Pike, Crescent Springs, 859-344-6402.

RESTORE THOSE FESTIVE MEMORIES

Name one priceless object in your home. Family photos, videos and slides fall into that category for most of us. But a jumble of vacation slides and stacks of unordered photos often languish in drawers and shoe boxes. And digital shots rarely make the leap from CD to print.

Before the December time crunch, take a few moments to dig out images that deserve to see the light of day. Shoebox 2 Video can scan, crop, adjust color, pan, zoom and remove red eye, then organize family pictures into an entertaining DVD.

A carton of soccer game or birthday party videos can be condensed to a single disc of highlights, matched to music, with an indexed menu. Order multiple copies for grandparents.

Or create a travel DVD containing a 40-image slide show paired with music for $75.

Capture Grandma's childhood stories in her own voice and gestures with a Living History interview DVD. An edited (up to two-hour) interview with optional photo stills starts at $250.

Stay-at-home mom Kelly Malatesta understands the emotions behind the photos. She edits, enhances and matches music to each family montage guided by client input.

Place Christmas orders by Dec. 10.

Shoebox 2 Video, 859-816-2860, www.shoebox2video.com.

WINTER FAIR WONDERLAND

Peruse gift lines created by 250 acclaimed artists today at Winter Fair in Covington. Don't miss functional pottery by Alexandria's Larry Watson. Teapots ($150) and pitchers ($80 and up) in his signature spring green glaze or amber with blue accents are favorite collectibles. Look for organic curves and undulating, vine-like elements inspired by nature. Whimsical pieces suggest animated human faces. Watson notes that clients inevitably "get a sense of the quality of a piece by using it. ... It is an educational process."

Winter Fair, Northern Kentucky Convention Center, Covington. Shop Watson's studio gallery in Alexandria by appointment (859-635-5599) or online, www.Watsonclay.com. Or look for him Dec. 9-10 at Carnegie Arts Center, 1028 Scott Blvd., Covington, 859-491-2030.

What's new? What's hot? What's the best deal in Northern Kentucky shopping? Contact Marcia Schoeni at schoeni_marcia@yahoo.com or call The Kentucky Enquirer at (859) 578-5555.

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