Guide to Gift Giving - Unique Gift Ideas

I have always loved the idea of working different materials into jewelry and accessories that are uncommon and outside of the typical gold and silver. While before I had seen this done using bottle caps, straw and other miscellaneous items, my favorite so far though has got to be a collection that uses actual butterfly wings in each of their pieces. The handcrafted jewelry collection is filled with exquisite butterfly wings that are masterfully set within a sterling silver border. This combination of the natural beauty of butterfly wings and the modern feel of the silver create a unique look that cannot be matched. The wings are all-native to Peru and emit a light and airy feel that is sure to enchant you and your loved ones. The delicate feel of the jewelry is the perfect compliment to any outfit and is sure to capture the eyes of all of your friends and family members. The large variety of pieces that are offered make it the perfect gift to give as a set by combining butterfly wing earrings and a bracelet. 

With the holidays rapidly approaching, a great gift that will not only last years but is sure to come in handy during the inevitable family gatherings, is a camera. With the large and ever growing selection of cameras that are now available, it is easy to find something for anyone and to personalize the gift based off of each persons needs and usages. For instance, as far as my mother is concerned, a camera should be able to take pictures as its primary function and that is it. The new addition of buttons and touch screens only irritate and confuse her. But I am sure we all know at least one person who is a gadget guru and loves being up on all of the latest technology. For them, a touch screen camera with voice controls is perfect. For someone like my sister however, a stylish color and unique design is something that will immediately catch her eye. If the person either just purchased a camera recently or you know they will be getting one soon, camera accessories are a great gift to add. 

As winter approaches, people are more likely to stay indoors, intimidated by the bitter cold and snow. This being said, DVDs are a perfect way to spend a night in. Thanks to On Demand, movies are now instantly available to us with just the click of a button, leaving a TV series on DVD as the perfect gift to give or receive. With a series, not only will you get hours and hours of entertainment versus the usual hour and a half movie, but once you know what type of shows your friend or family members likes, you can be assured that they will love what you get them. Even if they have a television show that they watch constantly, chances are they haven’t seen it from the beginning, making the first few seasons perfect to get. There are also the shows that you can never watch too many times like Seinfeld, Everybody Loves Raymond, and one of my personal favorites, Friends. 

I must admit that in addition to my jewelry addiction, I am absolutely in love with reading. I simply love James Patterson and his newest release, Trial, was no disappointment. I borrowed it from a friend of mine and managed to finish reading the entire novel in one sitting. Unlike most of his other novels, Trial includes a bit of history. The reader is transported back in time to a small, southern town when lynching is rampant. This realistic piece of fiction is a must read for anyone who is a James Patterson fan. It is not at all what I expected; however, I was pleasantly surprised. I actually paced myself as the novel came to a close because I wanted to savor every last word. I want this book as my own and so will anyone on your shopping list who appreciates fantastic literature. 

As you may have noticed, I have quite the obsession with sterling silver jewelry and have always been drawn to it. Ever since I was younger silver has appealed to me more so than anything else, including gold. Silver to me represents something youthful and elegant. It is something that can be paired with any outfit or accessory, and doesn’t have the same limitations that gold jewelry does. I have also always loved the modern sleek feel of silver, and can now not walk out the door without it. Because of all of this, silver jewelry is perfect to pick when choosing a present. Sterling silver bracelets are great to give if you do not know the person as well or if you can just never guess their style. One of my favorite pieces is a silver coil bracelet. Not only is it an entirely handcrafted bracelet but the simplicity and clean lines of it give it a sense of sophistication that is not easily achieved. The contemporary feel of the bracelet is sure to fit in perfectly with anyone’s jewelry collection and be a guaranteed hit.      

Regardless of the age, profession or style of the person you are buying a gift for, a wallet is something that no person can be without. A brown or black leather wallet is a great present to give to any man and it is hard to go wrong when it comes time to selecting one. If you want to personalize the wallet you can also easily have their initials etched into the side. Another simple way to add something to the present is to select a wallet with picture inserts in it and fill it with a picture of both of you. Silver money clips are another thing that no man should be without. Wallets or checking books make a great gift for women as well. While your options may seem endless and rather intimidating, figure out what their favorite brand or store is and you are sure to pick something out that they will love. A tradition that my family, and I’m sure others, always follow is to put a dollar into any purse or wallet before giving it as a present for good luck. 

Clocks are an essential part of everyone’s daily lives no matter what your age or occupation, making them the perfect gift for anyone. We all know at least someone who is not a morning person and could use any extra help they can get waking up in the morning. For those who never seem to be able to get up in the morning on their own, the new vibrating alarm clocks are perfect and are sure to not only be amusing to those who receive it but are practical as well. Clocks are also great presents to give as housewarming gifts or wedding presents. Clocks make the perfect wall accessory and are not only visually appealing but useful as well. Based on your loved ones personal style you could have fun with the clock and select some of the more modern artistic ones or go with the simple elegance of black or silver. If you are not scared off by a higher price range and are willing to go all out with your present, a grandfather clock is something you could give that is sure to not only last forever but be passed down through future generations as well. 

There are a few things that you can never seem to have too much of, and for me jewelry is definitely at the top of my list, if you haven’t been able to tell already from my recent posts. A new favorite piece of mine that I cannot keep to myself is an earth tone spondylus shell necklace. The spodylus shell is unique and sure to stand out from any other piece of jewelry that you may own for find. The shell not only embodies a natural beauty but has meaning and a history behind it as well. The shell is native to the deep bodies of water surrounding Peru and was recently used to symbolize peace between Peru and Ecuador and has been considered for centuries to bring unity and understanding. This handcrafted necklace makes the perfect gift for any occasion or simply as a thinking of you present. Give the gift to a loved one and fill a card with the meaning behind the piece of handcrafted jewelry. The distinctive amber coloring of the spodylus shell is sure to attract attention from all generations. The sterling silver lining adds a modern touch and allows the jewelry to be matched with any other accessory or outfit. 

While I must admit that I find it hard to resist any piece of silver jewelry, it is carved gourd pieces that I have a real soft spot for. While the art of carving designs into dried gourd has been practiced by those in Peru and other cultures for centuries, it is not commonly transformed into a stunning piece of jewelry. My own personal carved gourd collection still continues to grow and I feel I can truly never have enough of it. I believe that there are others who upon owning one piece of carved gourd jewelry would share in my same addiction. The deep natural feel of the carved gourd jewelry is masterfully complimented with modern touches of sterling silver and perfect for anyone who is open to trying something different. The gourd is generally carved to create various pictures and depictions of birds and nature. The carved gourd necklace is a great present to give with a matching set of earrings, a combination that when worn is sure to bring compliments and envious stares.

Personalized gifts that I have received in the past are always the ones that stand out to me the most. If you are having trouble finding a unique gift, engraving your friend or family’s initials, or adding a personal message to any item is a great way to make an impact with your present. Silver picture frames are one of the best ways to achieve this. The sleek elegance of a silver or gold picture frame will not only match anyone’s personal style but allows you to add a picture with meaning behind it with words that go along with the moment. If you cannot pick just one picture to give, a photo album is a great alternative. An album is the perfect wedding gift or present for someone you are close with. A glass beer mug is another easy way to engrave a present for someone, especially if you are shopping for a man and is something that they are sure to get a lot of use out of. The lists of things you could have engraved are endless. From paperweights to clocks and towels there is something to meet everyone’s needs.