Holiday Stocking
Presenting accessories to stuff holiday stockings--and your dispensary's register
By Amy Spiezio

Hilco's Dualies and Glass Act Studio's giraffe Peepers eyeglass holder

After several tough years in retail, the economy is warming up and financial experts are predicting that holiday sales will reflect that change. Are you ready to tempt holiday shoppers? While the latest sunwear may not be in everyone's budget, accessories can be ideal gifts. And the market has an appetite for accessories--just take a cue from department stores, catalogs, and specialty shops, where readers, cases, cleaners, and gadgets are found in abundance.

Consider the following gift categories when making your stock list and checking it twice.

	Croakies' whale-shaped Shade Shack eyewear clips
	Pocket Peepers' wallet-sized reading lens

FOR KIDS

It might seem like optical accessories the rank low on the holiday list with the likes of socks and mittens, but the newest offerings make it more fun for kids to take care of their eyewear. Sporty and rugged, Hilco's Dualies eyewear retainers are a two-piece system that attaches to the temples and provides a snug fit with a slip knot to keep eyewear where it should be.

Kids who have trouble finding their eyewear in the morning are perfect targets for the gift of Glass Act Studio's Peepers. The wood animal-head eyeglass holders are hand carved and hand painted. They are offered in models of wild and domestic species, including giraffe, fish, dog, horse, and panda.

Aluminations' Eyebuddies are made of aluminum and glass and serve as a pin-on eyewear retainer that comes in a rainbow of colors and metal finishes
Astucci's cases go beyond basic, with extra space for lipstick, money, and credit cards, as well as miniature-purse styling. The bags reflect the latest trends in styles and materials, with bow accents, charming tweeds, organic references, and whimsical leather looks

FOR HER

Everyday usefulness and up-to-the-minute style are readily apparent in today's accessory offerings for women. Cases have gone beyond basic frame storage and now serve as fashion accessories that can hold lipstick, credit cards, money, and, of course, eyewear.

Astucci's latest cases take the trends of the moment into the optical arena in the color palettes seen in fashion magazines. Tweed with a touch of color, bows, and organic looks complement the latest styles.

Though a number of frame companies make cigar and folding readers, here are some accessories-only firms to consider. Complementary cases, readers, and retainers, sets from Cinzia in black and white can be worn with an entire wardrobe.

Accessories are a matched set for Corinne McCormack with coordinated readers, stone beaded loop retainers, and matching cases.

She'll never be alone with Aluminations' Eyebuddies. The handmade glass and anodized aluminum pieces fit right into today's trend for colorful pins and keep eyewear close at hand.

Sherry Wolf's experience in jewelry-making shines through with her latest offering. She has designed sets of necklaces/eyewear retainers with matching earrings.

FOR HIM

Those men who have everything are great candidates for optical accessories. From fun to functional, these items have technical touches with male appeal. For the emerging presbyopes out there, alternatives to traditional readers can provide sporty or subtle appeal.

Keyring Readers are polycarbonate in 1.50, 2.00, and 2.50 powers. Designed to step in when normal readers are inconvenient, the glasses fold out from a keyring attachment, available in metallic black or metallic silver.

For those who chronically misplace their readers, Pocket Peepers are a credit card-sized reading lens that fits in a wallet or credit card holder.

The Clic Readers are a sporty reader that features a flexible and adjustable neckband and a bridge that is magnetized. When not in use, the frames can be popped apart for a younger-looking effect. They are offered in 1.25, 1.50, 1.75, 2.00, and 2.50 powers, and in colors such as blue, butterscotch, and red.

Clic Readers have a magnetized bridge, so the eyewear snaps together or pulls apart for a sporty, convenient style	Keyring Readers are a stand-in for readers that slip in your pocket and ride around with your car keys

FOR SAFEKEEPING

For a population on the move, keeping eyewear clean, safe, and in its place can be tough.

In the car, an eyewear clip can attach to the sun visor and create a home away from home for glasses. Croakies' Shade Shack clip comes in whale, golf bag, and surfboard shapes in polycarbonate plastic for durability.

Another visor accessory helps keep eyewear clean. Nanofilm recently introduced the Clarity Quick dispenser of Ultra Clarity lens towelettes. It can also attach to sports bags and the hook-and-loop adhesive strips allow mounting to computers, dashboards, or locker walls.

Hi-Look has combined case and cleaning cloth in the Keep it Clean Pouch, a microfiber drawstring bag with images of Hollywood legends, holiday themes, and classic artwork.

Multitasking at the office is reflected in Sax North Atlantic Services' desk set, which combines a picture frame and shearling-lined eyewear cup. The duo comes in fabric or leather. 

Left to right: Cinzia's sleek black-and-white reader, case, and retainer go with ease from day to evening wear; Sherry Wolf's eyewear loops double as necklaces and feature complementary earrings to complete the look. Corinne McCormack stays in touch with the colors of the moment with readers, case, and stone eyewear loop in black raspberry; Sax North Atlantic Services makes a home for eyewear at the office with a combination photo frame and shearling-lined eyewear cup, offered in leather or patterned fabric

From left to right: Scojo Eyewear's Popeyes ICE readers in their brushed aluminum spring-top case;  A display of Hi-Look's Keep it Clean Pouch; Nanofilm's Clarity Quick dispenser takes a ride

FOR LUXURY

Glittery looks add to elegant evening attire with chic eyewear accessories. Scojo Eyewear's Popeyes ICE readers feature the ubiquitous Swarovski crystals in a rainbow of color choices. California Optical provides the bling for cases, with pastel mini handbags accentuated with rhinestones on a bow-shaped clasp with mock croc accents.

For a reader with jewelry styling, Magies' Deco model is a folding reader on a gold chain. Accented with crystals, the eyewear doubles as a necklace.

California Optical's mini-purse case holds eyewear and everything one needs for a night on the town; Magies' folding reader also makes a nice-looking pendant on a gold chain