hoping for that little extra surprise, everyone likes a stocking filler at Christmas.

Kids love small packages that seem mysterious and inviting. But a tiny, carefully-wrapped present can also be an ideal way to say something special to an adult loved one, especially when you usually agree with each other what your mutual gifts will be.

And Bermuda's stores are a good place to hunt for such things, geared as they are to visitors in search of that special memento of their trip.

The big department stores excel in this area. They have treasure troves full of trinkets and tiny luxuries that are bound to stimulate your imagination.

But other shops are completely devoted to smaller gifts, stocking out-of-the ordinary items you won't find anywhere else. And even day-to-day shops have special goodies tucked away if you hunt for them, especially at this time of year.

You can spend a lot of money on something very little. Or you can spend just a dollar or two. It doesn't matter. With stocking fillers, it really is the thought that counts.

Here are some suggestions for small gifts that are slightly unusual, picked up in a quick sweep around Hamilton.

For a tailor-made gift, check out the Body Shop off Reid Street. They stock a variety of woven baskets you can fill with whatever Body Shop products you like, for men or women. A five-inch oval presentation basket with soap, conditioner, shampoo and bubble bath is about $13.45.

Down on Front Street, there's a jokey way to please the black rum lover in the household. Buy them a miniature of Goslings Black Seal for about $1.45.

Trimingham's gift department has plenty of good ideas, including a surprisingly realistic green glass tree frog (about $12.95). Smith's have some great ideas from London. These include tiny Liberty fabric photo frames which hold two pictures (about $13), Stratton atomisers which fill up with a favourite perfume (about $20) and miniature handmade jack-in-the-boxes (about $20).

Cooper's is just one of the places in town you can buy 1993 commemorative Bermuda coins. A silver proof two-dollar piece, with a longtail design, is about $40.

Back up to Reid Street and into the Phoenix Centre, you can pick up a tiny toy that's guaranteed to keep its owner busy for hours -- a Gameboy computer game cartridge like the highly-rated Super Marioland II (about $34.95) or the just-released WWF King of the Ring (about $39.95).

Or satisfy a youngster's hunger for all things Jurassic with a box of Raptor Bites jawbreakers (about $1.15).

In Stuart's, next door, they have the Vivitar Opus 10 camera, only about three inches long and one and a half inches tall. It's a real, not disposable, camera which takes 110 film and has a built-in flash with red-eye reduction.

It's about $42.95.

Up at Reid Street's Bermuda Railway Company (and other branches), take a look at their Swiss-Army-type penknife (about $12.95). It has at least 13 functions and is stamped with their logo.

Another useful gadget is the Cuelite, a bright flashing red light that clips onto the clothes of a jogger, walker or cyclist when it's dark. The Sportsman Shop on Reid Street has them for about $18, with batteries actually included.

Children treasure a tiny but colourful book. Try "Richard Scarry's Smallest Pop-up Book Ever'' (three titles, each about $7.25) from Jack 'n' Jills toyshop on Park Road. Or for a more reflective festive feel, pick up the miniature "Christmas Story'' from the Christian Bookstore on Burnaby Street (about $4.95).

For the cook of the house, Gibbons Company on Church Street have kitchen timers made to look like green peppers, onions or eggs (about $19.95).

Across the road, Bermuda Blue is packed with stocking fillers. These include glittery lipstick containers, make-up holders and change purses for about $11.50, carved reef fish in pastel colours for about $9.95, and ball or egg-shaped ornamental candles for about $2.95.

SHOAL OF GIFTS -- Theses carved fish from Bermuda Blue on Church Street could by just the thing to fill that stocking gap.