GREER’S BEST BUYS:

The holiday gift-buying extravaganza, The Christmas Company, returns today through Monday at Orange County Fair and Exposition Center in Costa Mesa.

The Junior League of Orange County’s much-anticipated 32nd annual fundraiser draws in more than 100 merchants from Orange County and around the country and features specialty items not available through traditional stores.

You’ll find everything from women’s fashions to children’s clothing and books, home décor, gardening items and gourmet foods, as well as holiday décor.

Tickets cost $10, which includes parking. During the four-day run, the Junior League holds special events, including a Preferred Shopping Breakfast ($30) from 8 to 10 a.m. today; and an evening of food and wine ($75) from 6 to 10 p.m.

Tickets to the breakfast and wine tasting can be purchased at www.jlocc.org. For details, call (949) 263-3785. General-admission tickets can be purchased at the door. The hours are 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday; 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday, Sunday and Monday. Orange County Fair and Exposition Center is at Fair Drive and the 55 Freeway in Costa Mesa.

Being cheesy

Don’t miss the American Cheesemaker Awards (open to the public) at the Fairmont Newport Beach this weekend. Culinary pros and industry experts judge and rate the best cheeses in the country, and you can taste incredible cheeses, wines and gourmet foods Saturday and Sunday.

Guests can also enjoy cheese-inspired classes and seminars presented by industry experts and renowned chefs; and an awards ceremony dinner and gala open to the public 7 to 10 p.m. today. Tickets cost $150.

The Cheese Store will be open at the hotel to take holiday orders. You can also learn the secrets of cheese experts and celebrity chefs who provide exclusive cheese-based culinary demonstrations. It will be open to the public 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

Admission costs $75 per person and includes entry to the tasting and one Cheese Academy class. Purchase tickets online. The Fairmont Newport Beach is at 4500 MacArthur Blvd., Newport Beach Call (949) 428-5799 or go to www.cheeseawards.com for details.

Open a year

Jo Malone celebrates the first anniversary of its South Coast Plaza shop from 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday. Find great gift-giving suggestions for the holidays, and sample the new White Jasmine & Mint fragrance with jasmine, wild rose and white blossoms with a twist of wild mint. Jo Malone is on Level 2 at South Coast Plaza in Costa Mesa. For more information, call (714) 545-4632 or visit www.jomalone.com.

Decorating gifts for all

For holiday inspiration visit Ambrosia Home’s newly redesigned showroom at The Bluffs in Newport Beach. A festive Holiday Open House (Friday through Sunday) features home décor in every price range and style, and a free gift with purchase.

Choose from ornaments priced from $5 to elegant candelabras at $299. The choices in color schemes runs the gamut from traditional reds and greens to contemporary amethyst and green, aqua and brown, or even gold, silver and black. The store’s designers can also assist with host/hostess gifts, stocking stuffer ideas, gifts for him, gift baskets and custom gift-wrapping.

Just for the holidays, Ambrosia offers a 50% discount on hourly design rate. The rate is now $75 versus $150 for the holiday decorating services.

Ambrosia is open 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday; 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday. The Bluffs in Newport Beach is at MacArthur Boulevard and Bison Avenue in Newport Beach. For details, (949) 219-9865, or visit www.ambrosiahome.com.

Culturally designed table

Orange County-based, global interior designer Brooke Ziccardi of Ziccardi Designs creates a stunning tabletop display for Lalique at Bloomingdale’s, South Coast Plaza from 2 to 4 p.m. today.

The Ziccardi-designed tabletop previews the new dazzling Neolalique gold crystal collection.

Ziccardi’s signature culturally infused design work spans from the Newport Coast to Dubai, India and China — where she’s working on a five-star hotel outside of Shanghai. Bloomingdale’s is on Level 1 at South Coast Plaza in Costa Mesa. For details call, (714) 824-4600, or visit www.ziccardidesigns.com.

GREER WYLDER writes Best Buys for the Daily Pilot each Friday. She’s the founder and president of greersoc.com, a free daily e-mail service that provides the latest in Orange County fashion, dining and trends.