We all want to give our friends and family something different and memorable; but, with the rush and bustle of the season, it’s sometimes difficult to take the time to find that perfect, unique holiday gift. This year, make it easy and memorable in just a few clicks, with the Top 10 Unique Holiday Gifts Guide. With gifts for everyone in every price range, you’ll find plenty of unique and interesting gifts for family and friends that will be appreciated for years to come.
TOP 10 UNUSUAL GIFTS OF 2008
1.Hand bound book fromDreaming Mind. These beautiful hand-bound books by Dan Drake can either be ordered direct from the online gallery, or custom ordered for a truly unusual gift. A personalized portfolio or day planner for your college student, or a photo album for the newlyweds or proud parents are all gifts sure to be appreciated and remembered. The books are professional quality, with craftsmanship you just can’t find in prefabricated, mass produced items. I still have and treasure one of Dreaming Mind’s books given to me several years ago by a good friend. The binding and materials makes this an heirloom quality gift for anyone. Price: Varies from approximately $30 to $150 USD.
2.Custom made leather shoes from El Diablo Shoes. For the shoe hound in your life, how about a pair of custom made boots or classically styled shoes? These shoes are hand-made in fine leather by Daphne, the owner of El Diablo shoes which is located in Massachusetts. Just have your friend of family member step onto a piece of paper and trace their foot to start down the road to a most unusual gift! Styles range from retro to casual to “period” footwear from eras long gone. You can even have a favorite shoe recreated, or have Daphne help you design a style of your own.Price: About $500.00 USD.
3.Quilted Holiday OrnamentsbyThe Ornament Girl. Startling, elaborate detail and depth makes these quilted ornaments one of the holiday’s best and most unusual gifts for any winer holiday, including Christmas and Hanukka. Staci Ann, also known as “The Ornament Girl,” hand makes each of her ornaments. These small masterpieces are so beautiful and unusual you’ll want one for your own tree, too! Staci often has a long waiting list, so order soon. Price:$20 USD and up, each.
4. Feed bag pillows fromSOWN. Modern fabrics combine with vintage feed bags to make these beautiful, unusual pillows a perfect gift for any home. Clean lines and simple colors will compliment everyone’s décor, from country to ultra modern. Rebecca Tegtmeyer, a graphic designer based in Raleigh, NC, sews each unique pillow individually, complete with a stamp of the year it was SOWN on the back. Price:about $80 USD.
5.Useful art byABRecycles. Green is in, and this little company has found a new use for recycled bike parts. An unusual and tasteful gift for the sportsman or environmentally conscious person on your list, ABRecycles useful art pieces will be the highlight of the season. The company was founded by two athletes, Alex and Brian, who wanted to find an environmentally friendly way to use discarded bike parts and other recyclable materials. All the work is done by Alex and Brian, and orders are custom made and one-of-a-kind; so, you’ll want to get ordering if you want the gift by Christmas. Prices: Prices vary by piece.
6. Write Tales. Fairy Tales for People Who’ve Never Grown Up”, byLisa Wright.Lisa Wright, author of several children’s literature books, presents “The Wright Tales: Fairy Tales for Grownups,” as a series of handbound books. Her original tales are fresh and insightful, not just rehashes of old stories. Perfect for young children or adults, these are some of the most well-written and entertaining fairy tales I have ever read. Printed on gold parchment paper and bound in luxurious cloth with satin bookmarks, these books will be treasured for generations. A great and unusual gift for a new mom, or a grown son or daughter!Price: $27.50 USD each.
7.Fine art print byHouse of Six Cats. The art critic on your holiday list will be delighted to find any print from this Portland, Oregon artist under their tree, and you’ll be delighted at how heavy your pocketbook stays. House of Six Cats prints cover everything from Singer sewing machines to wildflowers with understated drama. Not your average photos, this artist looks at the world from unusual angles, giving the often mundane a new twist. This is a rare chance to grab a print from an up-and-coming artist at a price anyone can afford. These photographs are a perfect gift for home or office. Price: $25 USD and up.
8.Italian Wine Jellies by Lunardi, fromGustiamo.com. Surprise the wine lovers on your list by giving them something they love with a twist! These luxurious Italian wine jellies, Brunello and Vin Santo, are a new way to enjoy some of the most sought-after Italian wines. Perfect for the holiday cheese platters, these jellies are for true connoisseurs. This unusual gift can stand all on it’s own, but you could pair it with a bottle of each wine for a real treat. Price: $27 USD a jar.
9.Strange Dolls by Beth Robinson. Beth Robinson’s handmade dolls have a huge collector following, and appear in galleries, such as Strychnin, worldwide. These dolls, however, are not for most children. Each doll is a one of a kind, made upon request, and each has a special story. Every doll is made from clay, vintage fabrics, and often real human and animal bones or teeth. They are beautiful and macabre. The perfect unusual, unique gift for the collector in your life, or anyone who likes offbeat works of art.
10.Natural Pod toys for boys and girls. Natural Pod toys are perfect eco-conscious gifts for boys and girls, making them unusual in today’s toy culture. Unlike the complicated toys advertised all over these days, Natural Pod toys let a child’s natural imagination grow, encouraging healthy play and learning. Designed with eco-friendly materials, the designs are simple, safe, and clean. Natural Pod call their designs “mindful,” and all their toys are free of nails, staples, and other potentially harmful items. Organic dolls the little girls on your list will love to cuddle, “fagus vehicles” made from beechwood for your tomboy’s biggest construction projects, and everything in between will keep the children on your list busy all year long. They even have bath toys and musical instruments.
Resources:
www.dreamingmind.com. Dreaming Mind Press. Handbound Books.
www.eldiabloshoes.com. El Diablo Shoes. Hand made custom shoes.
www.theornamentgirl.com. The Ornament Girl. Quilted Holiday Ornaments.
