The perfect way to show someone you really care.
What can I get him/her?
Another special day is coming up and you're racking your brain trying to think of what kind of gift you can give. You wander through the malls, even spend a couple of hours surfing the internet and still you've come up empty. Sure, there are the usual things. Books, video games, DVDs, clothes, necklaces, gold, diamonds and so on. But they've all been done to death. They've become....predictable. What you want is something different, unique, one of a kind. Something that makes the recipient react with a hug and/or a kiss and the comment "It's just what I wanted."
Give a gift from the heart
You've heard it said a thousand times, as well as the advice that nothing is more welcome that something you made with your own hands. While completely true, it's safe to say that the majority of us simply don't have the skills, equipment or time to create a gift that we actually made. But there is an alternative.
Buy a custom made wood gift
Why wood? Because wood is organic. It connects us to nature. We take vacations so we can go camping, hike the Grand Tetons, explore the great outdoors, simply get back to the simple life. Also, gifts made from hardwoods that are finished with oil or clear coat that allows their natural beauty to shine have something else going for them. No matter how you try to duplicate an item, no two will ever be exactly the same. They may be the same size and shape, but the grain will vary. Character flaws (meaning knots, knotholes, cracks, etc.) will be more prominent on one product than another and totally absent on some.
It shows you truly care
Custom made wood gifts are not something you pick up on a whim. You have to look for them, find individuals who create to order and are capable of adjusting the design to meet your specific preferences. Then you have to pay in advance (at least 50%, sometimes 100%) and wait weeks (sometimes months) for delivery. Believe me, your special someone will know without a doubt that they are special to you.
What's the best gift?
Now that you've decided on a custom made gift, what's it gonna be?
That depends entirely on who the recipient is and your relationship with that person. Is it intended for Christmas, a birthday, bar mitzvah, house warming or something else entirely? Is the relationship platonic or romantic? Lady friend? Gentleman friend? Child? School chum? Pastor?The possibilities are endless, but let's look at a few of the more familiar ones to give you an idea of what's possible.
Romantic.
The items mentioned here generally are given by men to their special lady, though there's no reason at least some of can go both ways.
For the most part, ladies love jewelry. Some accumulate so much that they actually refer to themselves as gypsys. No matter how much...or how little...jewelry they have, they need a place to keep it safe when they're not wearing it. So what better gift than a quality, custom built jewelry chest such as the one shown here. Built from solid walnut (no veneers), it is sturdy, heavy, available in a choice of hardwoods and can even be upsized for those ladies who possess a large amount of jewelry.
Loving knicknacks
These might be called stocking stuffers, but they still show you care.
Love LettersThis is the type of thing that you frequently see in malls intended for impulse purchases. Still, this is a step above because of the ability to make adjustments in it's appearance. And since each one is produced to order, no two will ever look exactly the same. Beyond that, shops that produce this type of item will be happy to create a new design to your specifications.
Wood bracelets and earrings
Those circles of wood are beautiful and appealing. So are the earrings.
Most ladies love bracelets. Big ones, small ones, thin, thick, gold, silver or wood. As long as the object of your affection likes jewelry, think about giving her a bracelet or three. Custom made bracelets from a variety of exotic woods definitely catch people's eye and nothing makes a lady any prouder than for someone to notice what she's wearing and ask where she got it.
Matching wood earrings.
While the bracelets are beautiful in their own right, consider adding wood earrings in matching wood species. When the earrings match the bracelets, the result can be stunning.
Other ideas
These are suitable for anyone.
If you're really stuck for an idea, here's one that'll work for anyone. Coasters. Whether you're a party animal or simply visiting in someone's home, whenever you're offered a drink, a coaster frequently comes with it. Especially if you're going to be sitting your drink down on the polished surface of quality furniture.
You'd think a coaster is a coaster, but that's not true. What you find in the stores range from thin pieces of vinyl with a piece of cork or felt on the bottom to keep it from sliding to sets of wood coasters that are mass produced by machine. Any of them are fine as far as protecting a furniture's surface, but none of them make much of an impression.
Why custom coasters?
Custom coasters are another matter. They can be as much as 3/4" thick with shaped edges that emulate fine furniture. They're also available in a variety of exotic hardwoods and either a smooth surface or with a recess for your glass. Not only do they cry quality and thoughtfulness, they're attention getters in a way that mass produced versions aren't.
Smooth or recessed?
The answer to this question is entirely up to you. Coasters are used both ways. Some people insist that there must be a recess for the glass or can to sit in or the moisture will run off onto the underlying surface. On the other hand, coasters with recesses increase the liklihood of spilling your drink, especially if you've already had one or two and are beginning to get just a little unsteady.
Gifts for children.
Custom gifts are perfectly suitable for children, too.
Even today, the average child tends to have more fun with the box the toy came in than the toy itself. So don't automatically discard the traditional toys. But it will take a little effort to find companies and individuals who still make them.
by RCM
My name is Richard Marmo. Since 1967, I have combined non-fiction freelance writing and freelance modelbuilding into a single, multifaceted business....
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