Pool, Spa and Patio Gift Ideas

NotNeutral's set of three trivets can be used indoors, but holding up outdoors is another matter. Made of steel and coated paint, these three trivets in three differents hues of blue and three different snowflake designs are built to brave the elements, even during winter, which is probably when you'll want to show them off. In warm-winter climates, notNeutral's Frosty Snowflake set will dazzle up your deck either on the table or under flowerpots, as long as the pots are smaller than the trivets. Tired of traditional reds, greens and golds? This collection isn't holiday-specific; maybe season-specific, but that gives you an extra three months or so of enjoyment.

These designs also come in sets of six garden stakes or four ornaments.

Author Debra Lee Baldwin is a Southern California-based garden writer and photographer whose interests in recent years has turned to the many succulents, cacti and drought-tolerant natives that grow in this region. Besides being a showcase for hundreds of amazing photos of these plants, Designing With Succulents discusses different species and how to actually create a landscape design focusing on or incorporating succulents.

Two facts to consider: succulents are not cacti, and, succulents can be grown in colder climates. Baldwin also covers step-by-step projects, including creating a succulent wreath and hanging succulent ball or ornament. This is one of my favorite garden books published in the past year or so. See for yourself.

I was at an outdoor holiday party last week, and among the decorations were colorful luminarias. These were paper bags with tealights. No sand was in the bags to weigh them down, and kids and dogs in costumes were dancing around. It could have been a recipe for disaster. I love the warm glow along a pathway or at an entryway just like the next guy, but feel a sturdy iron lantern like the Capri from Pottery Barn is a safer and stylish choice. The Capri is modeled after the functional and festive lanterns used in old New England. The frame -- red or bronze -- is made of sturdy iron and has a red-lacquer or antique bronze-metal finish. It also has a round handle, glass sides and hinged door. Better yet, you can use it on the patio year 'round.

How does your garden glow? Brilliantly, and for up to 12 hours. This awesome orb provides ambient lighting for the garden, patio, pond or pool. It can be placed or staked in landscaping, sits on a deck or table and floats on water. This globe is smart -- it illuminates automatically during darkness and is equipped with energy-saving super-bright RGB LED technology. Measures 6.70" x 6.70" x 7.10".

Empower your favorite gardeners and help them protect their hands and reduce fatigue while gardening with these patented Bionic gloves. Created by a renowned hand surgeon, the ergonomic design features motion and breathable zones to improve comfort, fit and flexibility, plus anatomic relief pads to reduce calluses and loss of hand power. Form-fitting wrist closure offers support and keeps out dirt, thorns and bugs. Made of cabretta leather. Machine washable. Sizes: S-S-XL.

From the creative mind of product designer Tobias Wong comes the power of the celestial bodies captured in a mason jar. The Sun Jar uses a mason jar and a solar cell, rechargeable battery, and LEDs to provide light at night - turning on automatically at the end of the day. Mason jars are water-tight, so you can leave these outdoors - and there's a switch inside if you wish to save the jar's battery life. Winner of the 2007 "Gift of the Year" award.

A smaller version of the classic full-size weathervanes, Good Directions' Americana Flag model features polished and antiqued copper finish, brass, and painted aluminum, copper spacer balls, solid brass directionals, steel rod, and three versatile mounting options to choose from: roof, garden pole or deck. Size: 24 inches high.