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Elegant and Sophisticated Gift Ideas

daoine by daoine
Last updated: 11/16/2011

Impress them with beautiful, unique gifts

Your first Christmas together? Or your fiftieth? Are you attending the wedding of a couple who already have the toaster, waffle iron, and 5-setting electric juicer?

Perhaps you have an important client you need to impress, or a special someone who doesn't yet realise your feelings. Nothing charms as much as a gift that is unexpected in its elegance and uniqueness.

With the holidays nearly upon us, time is running out to find the perfect present. Try some of these ideas on for size. 


Pictured is a set of jewelled globe winebottle stoppers from JewelBasket.

What does your gift say about you?

A gift reflects on both the giver and the recipient. Think carefully about the type of person you're buying for. Take their tastes and personality into consideration. But don't be afraid to give a gift that stretches just outside their comfort zone - the most memorable gifts are those that open us up to new ideas.

Spending too much on a gift is almost as inconsiderate as spending too little. The gift should be a comfortable experience, not one that invites guilt or obligation, or causes resentment.

My feelings for you are as strong as titanium

The titanium jewellery made by Wes Waddell of Titanium Concepts is handcrafted from a solid bar of quality manufactured titanium. Titanium jewellery is light, strong, durable, highly corrosion resistant, and non magnetic. It will not cause any allergic reactions.

Divinity RingDivinity Ring

The Divinity Ring from Titanium Concepts features a blue anodized groove and is available in widths from 3mm to 14mm.

Titanium EarringsTitanium

These titanium earrings are approximately 5mm in diameter and can be made longer or shorter for no extra charge. Earrings have 3 equally spaced accent grooves.

View the full catalogue.

What is elegance?

Elegance celebrates value over wealth and quality over excess. Elegance is understated; not advertised. It is apparent in the closer inspection, the detail of the gift, the craftsmanship, and the quality of materials.

Elegance never embarrasses. It's never inappropriate, though it might touch the boundaries enough to stimulate new conversations and new experiences. Elegance is understanding and respectful, courteous and charming, classy and charismatic.

You mean the world to me

This selection of Grade A Gemstone globes, maps, and inlays from JewelBasket make a stunning gift idea for a loved one.

Or a great idea as a corporate gift from a company wishing to drive home its message of "Global Positioning" or "Multi-Cultural Approach", or "Let us carry the weight of the world, so you don't have to".

Gemstone Globe Paperweight Onyx & Mother of Pearl SwirlGemstone Globe Paperweight Onyx & Mother of Pearl Swirl

Hand cut semi-precious gemstones and black onyx & mother of pearl swirl oceans are hand finished in this fabulous Gemstone Globe Paperweight. 3 inches in diameter.

Marine blue globeArc Opalite Marine Blue Globe

The Arc Opalite Marine Blue Globe is three inches in diameter. Crushed oyster shell is swirled with lapis for a distinctive colour and look to the ocean detail. Meridian lines are crafted in gold and silver ribbon.

Onyx Gemstone Globe PenGemstone Globe World Pen

Onyx Pen in Rosewood Case.

Keep it under wraps

Unusual storage boxes and organisers

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Unique Storage for Book Lovers

If your book lover has a large collection of books, and you don't want to run the risk of buying something he already owns, why not choose something failsafe?

A Secret Storage Book is a box the recipient can use to store things in, but it looks like a book. In fact, it was a book once.

The secret storage book is perfect either for secret things, like money, credit cards, etc, she wants to hide, or she can display it out in the open as a coffee table feature.

The Ends Justify the Means

Beautiful Bookends for Books Lovers

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6 tips to ensure your gift is perfect

1. Make your purchase with plenty of time to spare. Allow for the eventuality of having to return the gift and reorder.
2. If you are able to hand-deliver your gift yourself, have it sent to you.
3. Check the gift carefully for any damage.
4. Wrap the gift yourself. See below for a variety of boxes, bags, and other easy gift wrapping options.
5. If you cannot give the gift on the day itself, make the delivery early rather than late.
6. Write the card from your heart. Mention why you chose the gift you did.

The wind beneath my wings

Elegant decor pieces

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4 tips to ensure your gift is remembered

There is nothing more disappointing than putting a lot of thought and energy into a gift only to have it mislaid or the card lost.
  1. Choose a convenient time to deliver your gift. Make sure there will be enough time for the recipient to accept the gift and acknowledge it with their full attention.

    A gift is less likely to be remembered if it is the one shoved into already full arms when the person is distracted by something else.
  2. Don't insist that the gift be opened immediately in front of you. Some people are uncomfortable doing so. Respect this, no matter how excited you are.
  3. Wrap the card inside the gift wrap, especially for wedding gifts. Cards can so easily become detached.
  4. Mention the details of the gift when you next meet. Catching out someone who has a bad memory for who gave them which gift does nothing to promote the abundant feeling the gift was intended to evoke. If they did forget, their gratitude at your subtle reminder will ensure it sticks in their memory after all.

Unique and unusual gifts

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In a different light

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I adore you for your mind

For something a little unusual when it comes to games of skill, try an variation on the trusty chess set, such as this Cat and Dog Chess Set (pictured right).

Mind games

Chaturanga is the oldest known form of chess, originating in 7th century India.

Chaturanga can be played with two to four players. It is played on a fabric playing board, and the playing pieces are made of clay and presented in velvet bags. The pieces include the Raja (elephant), horse, ship, and four infantrymen.
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I want to wine and dine you

Wine Red wine is a particular elegant drink. Champagne is best reserved for New Year and very special occasions like engagements. There is nothing elegant about your intentions being misconstrued because you brought out a bottle of bubbly followed by what looked like a ring box...

Try something a little different this year. Elegant wine glasses and decanters make a beautiful gift and are always welcomed by wine lovers. They are also ideal wedding or engagement gifts, or for a house-warming party. You can never have too many good sets of wine glasses. And a decent ice-bucket always comes in handy.

Wining away the days

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You're as lovely as an oil painting

Oil painting from photograph

My Da Vinci can create a beautiful artwork from a photograph, which means you can order a painting made of a favourite memory that you share. This is ideal for portraits of children or pets who don't sit still long enough, or of wedding portraits (a perfect first or five-year anniversary gift), or other special occasions that you cherish.

I want to wrap you in my arms and warm your heart

Nuddle BlanketFor a loved one caught in the middle of chilly winter weather, the Nuddle Blanket will make an ideal gift. It is a cosy blanket that has a foot pocket so that your feet remain covered no matter how high you pull the blanket up around you. It also has hand openings so that you can have your hands out of the blanket to read a book, eat, or drink, and hand pockets so that you can easily tuck your hands in again if they get too cold.

A very simple idea, but very effective.

Something Different

Talking Points and Conversation Starters

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