While reading a book or sitting in front of the television can provide a good break, sometimes a person needs more self-pampering. Campbell residents can discover a variety of escapes to help remedy the stress of the frantic holiday pace.

And if all that gift buying and shopping bag toting produces tense muscles and chipped nails, finding time for a manicure and massage might be the answer after battling the local malls.

"We offer everything from head to toe," said 27-year-old Halina Danh, manager of Star Salon and Spa, located at 2260 E. Bascom Ave. Her father, Tu Danh, is the owner of the salon.

Salons such as Star Salon and Spa provide a variety of services, including manicures, pedicures and facials. Indulging hands and feet can take as little as half an hour, while facials can take up to 1¹/2 hours.

Being pampered with a pedicure while sitting in a massage chair or walking out after 30 minutes with freshly manicured nails should help reduce shopping tension for many.

And if shoppers have a little more time for a facial that includes a neck and shoulder massage, surviving the malls and holiday stress becomes a little easier.

"We get many customers who are stressed out," Danh said. "Everybody loves getting pedicures. It doesn't cost as much as a full-body massage, and it's better than nothing."

Services are performed in a semiprivate area partitioned off for each customer.

"We take walk-ins, appointments, anybody," Danh said. "You don't have to worry about anything. We'll take care of the rest."

First-time customer Amber Smith, who works across the street, walked into the salon and spa wanting to get her eyebrows waxed and unsure if she would come back again. An hour later she left with waxed brows, a pedicure and promises to refer her friends.

If a facial or massage doesn't fit the schedule or budget or seems too self-indulgent, consider another type of holiday timeout—taking up a hobby, one that can be done anywhere or anytime, like knitting.

The Rug & Yarn Hut, located at 350 E. Campbell Ave., offers knitting ideas for both the novice and the advanced.

Beginners can take a variety of classes. Knitting and crocheting classes are offered for free, but there is a fee for other classes, like weaving, spinning and dyeing.

Karen Brayton-McFall, owner of the store for the past 18 years, teaches some of the classes. She also invites guest lecturers from around California.

"In November we had a lady from Montana," said Brayton-McFall.

Brayton-McFall says that her customers pick up the hobby for different reasons, and that it appeals to people from many backgrounds. Whether working in the technology industry, retired or staying at home, customers who come to the store all say the same thing.

"I find knitting and spinning very relaxing," said 50-year-old Julie Thomas. "It's very repetitive."

The 34-year-old Rug & Yarn Hut also hosts the South Bay Knitters—a club consisting mostly of women who meet twice a month to share and seek advice on their knitting projects and to take a break from the rat race.

"It's kind of like meditating," 56-year-old Carol Ozimek said of knitting. "It's nice to do something by yourself."

But Ozimek added that knitting is also conducive to socializing.

Every second and fourth Thursday, the small store is suddenly transformed into a knitting extravaganza, with people arriving from up and down the peninsula.

Campbell resident Susan Clueit, 46, an avid knitter for years, says, "You don't need a lot of time."

But if knitting and weaving sound like too much of a commitment, a quiet hour or two of tea might be a quick escape from the crazy holiday shopping world.

Lisa's Tea Treasures in the Pruneyard Shopping Center, 1875 S. Bascom Ave., gives shoppers a chance to step into a world of quiet repose.

With its floral decor and imported china, customers can experience a taste of Old World Victorian elegance for under $20.

Selections include a variety of teas, sandwiches, scones and desserts. The tea is served in a teapot wrapped in a "tea cozy" to keep it warm, and sandwiches are served on "pie stands" originally used to cool pastries.

Jan De Meulenaere, 44, Kitty Hoiland, 47, and Kathy Nunes, 43, and their 15-year-old daughters, meet once a year around Christmastime to catch up.

This year the six women decided to meet at Lisa's Tea Treasures for some rest and relaxation.

"It's fun," Christina Hoiland said of the teahouse. "You get pampered."

Her friend Tiffany Nunes agreed. "This is our fun thing for the year."

Lisa's Tea Treasures can seat up to 50 guests, and owner Dale Ann Johnson, 54, said her store gives people a place that's calm and relaxing to escape from the daily rush. She tries to make the experience special, especially around the holiday season.

"There's soup for the cold weather," Johnson said, plus a special menu for Christmas.

Desserts change seasonally, but the teahouse always offers some sort of cheesecake and fruit-based sweet.

Each table also has tea biscuits imported from Belgium, sugared violet petals from France, lemon curd, traditional sugar cubes and a bell to ring for assistance. And with soft music playing in the background, the charm of the teahouse provides a relaxing timeout.

For those coming in laden with gifts, Lisa's Tea Treasures also offers complimentary gift wrapping as customers enjoy their meal. Walk-ins are welcome, though weekends in December tend to get busy. Johnson recommends making reservations about three weeks in advance.

"Customers can be queen or king for a day," said Johnson. "We want them to feel very pampered."

For more information, call Star Salon and Spa at 408.377.2151, The Rug & Yarn Hut at 408.871.0411, and Lisa's Tea Treasures at 408.371.7377.