Obscure GIFT Ideas? Let's Hear It!

[iLander]

This is a thread for you to post your gift ideas for unusual, interesting, quirky, or just wonderful gifts. Points for hard to find items!

We're all looking for ideas this time of year, so what did you give/get that was big hit?

Sources and prices, please.

Here's an idea for someone looking for a fabulous robe; The Plaza Hotel robe, from the famous NYC hotel.

It's a gorgeous waffle weave robe, with a finely woven terry cloth lining. It's light, it's warm, and it's very luxurious and features the Plaza logo in gold embroidary. It's also hard to find, because it is only available at the Plaza Hotel gift shop, costs about $120.

It's pictured on the far left of one of these slide show pages; http://www.theplazany.com/shops/plaza-boutique/

You'd have to call the nice ladies during business hours to order. They also offer towels and lovely slippers with the logo.

What obscure thing do you suggest?

 

[Begonia]

Hi i,

I like to go with handmade as often as possible. My way of showing people I care is investing one of my most valuable resources...my time. Shopping doesn't count (unless done for an elderly neighbor).

That's just how I roll ya know?

One year the lads and I spray painted unshelled walnuts gold or silver, added a hook and small ribbon and gave that as Xmas tree decorations (along with baking). Everyone still uses them (the nuts that is).

Years back when mosaic mirrors were the rage, we made a bunch of those. Big ones too. Took me and the hubbie 2 months to make 4 gorgeous mirrors. I was way pregnant then...memories...

Yup, ya just gotta go with whatever you're good at be it baking, sewing, hell even cleaning.

Especially this year.

In return, give me the gift of time.

Make me a brew and let's sit down for a coupla hours

(handmaking gifts has always been kinda obscure, especially to some people in my world, which is why I chimed in)

 

[aviastar]

I give duvet covers. My sister makes and then hand paints scenes on them. I gave one to DH while we were dating and now we are giving one to his parents this year. Duvet covers are expensive and for us, they are always one of the last things you think of to buy for yourself. Plus all the ones in stores are very commercial. It's such a luxury to have a beautiful, unique, bedspread just for yourself.

I think of the best, most obscure gifts I ever recieved was for my wedding; my best friend had my wedding invitation turned into a glass dish. This little shop in NYC does it and they can use anything to create these beautiful trays and dishes; it's functional, but I hung it in the collage with my wedding photos. http://www.kaas.com/

Great thread!

 

[MichelleCarmen]

I'm alos doing handmade this year. Everyone has pretty much what they need so this year, my kids are making paintings for everyone. Michael's has little canvases and the kids are going to paint on them. They're 4 X 6" so small enough that the kids can easily finish the paintings and it won't take up a lot of room for the recipients. It's not really obsure, I guess, but more a personalized gift rather than the regular generic gifts.

 

[vc10um]

I love hearing about all these gifts! Especially the homemade ones...

I am still not sure what to gift to my closest family this year, including DH, but avia, I think I'm going to keep that website in mind for a gift for my sister after her wedding...

 

[Rosebloom]

I love making quilts to give as gifts but I don't have the time any more with two little boys! I also often give jewelry as the family's resident jewelry nut. I like to think of really special combos - birthstones of people meaningful to them, favorite color combos, etc. That's certainly not unique here but in my family it is anyways!

 

[Rosebloom]

Also, I like to give musical instruments. An Autoharp is a super fun instrument that can be played almost immediately even with little to no musical background.

 

[aviastar]

I love hearing about all these gifts! Especially the homemade ones...

I am still not sure what to gift to my closest family this year, including DH, but avia, I think I'm going to keep that website in mind for a gift for my sister after her wedding...

It was easily one of my favorite gifts ever. I made my invites and it was just such an awesome way to display it without worrying about fading. I don't think they are inexpensive, but I hope it will end up being one of those family heirlooms- great grandma and grandpas wedding invite, yanno? I'm also keeping it in my back pocket for a few upcoming weddings...

 

[JaneSmith]

I'm alos doing handmade this year. Everyone has pretty much what they need so this year, my kids are making paintings for everyone. Michael's has little canvases and the kids are going to paint on them. They're 4 X 6" so small enough that the kids can easily finish the paintings and it won't take up a lot of room for the recipients. It's not really obsure, I guess, but more a personalized gift rather than the regular generic gifts.

This is an excellent idea. I'm going to use it too. The grandparents just got little canvas originals for christmas! Thank you.

 

[mrs taylor]

I'm alos doing handmade this year. Everyone has pretty much what they need so this year, my kids are making paintings for everyone. Michael's has little canvases and the kids are going to paint on them. They're 4 X 6" so small enough that the kids can easily finish the paintings and it won't take up a lot of room for the recipients. It's not really obsure, I guess, but more a personalized gift rather than the regular generic gifts.

we do this too!

 

[missy]

I love that robe iLander- looks so comfy!

My dh told me about this one-naming a star after someone.
http://www.starnamer.net/


I like these cat Tao glasses- cute!
http://www.uncommongoods.com/product/cat-tao-glasses-set-of-four

This is good for frequent travelers:
http://www.sharperimage.com/si/view/product/Travel-Charging-Valet/100274?trail=

Sharper Image has a lot of cool gift ideas.

Another site I love for interesting gifts is Red Envelope. And there are big sales going on right now.
http://www.redenvelope.com/?REF=REDSRCHgoogkwd_redenvelope%20gifts_b_BRAND&NoExitPopup=Y&MATCHTYPE=search&KEYWORD=redenvelope%20gifts_b&ADTEXT=11055951879&NETWORK=google&PRID=alex5off&gclid=CO_gxeb86LMCFUQw4AodwSoA2w

 

[iLander]

Missy- I was wandering around red envelope and saw some cuff links that can make a wireless hotspot for you and everyone else in the room! Is that cool, or what? If they were for MAC, they'd be heading this way! Cool links!

 

[iLander]

Do you know someone that is into art books? Serious, contemporary art books, not Monet prints (which I also love). People with an MFA or BFA, or art student, or someone who thinks a day at the MOMA is awesome, would appreciate this company and it's collaboration with current artists and museums

http://www.steidlville.com/books/

Slightly less obscure, Visionaire "magazine" is a quarterly publication that is a collaboration between artists, designers, and the publisher. The publication is not about art, it is art. Each issue has a theme and it's presented in an unusual format. I have an issue called "Play" and it's a series of flip books encased in black, book shaped case. I also have one called "Love" and it's a vintage love story book in a Tiffany box (all licensed and endorsed by Tiffany) with a Tiffany sterling silver Paloma heart as the book mark. Stuck into the pages are different artist's interpretations of love. Not a cheap gift, each issue is about $250, but past issues are worth two and three times the original price.

http://www.visionaireworld.com/issues.php

Love issue: http://www.visionaireworld.com/issues.php?id=38

There, that's your obscure gift suggestion for art book lovers.

 

[ame]

A local delicacy is called Gooey Butter Cake. Most bakeries here have a version but there's one specific place, a coffee shop, that makes THE BEST I think on earth. They make about 70 flavors by now, but only recently got into where you can order and ship them, or order and carry them out in advance in bulk. I personally like the original one. But I am someone who for non-locals and friends that "live abroad", I make a big box of local treats to send, and there is almost always one of these in there. The problem is, you end up eating this dang thing in one sitting (and it's not small).

 

[Kismet]

Missy - We have the Inconvenient Kitty set of glasses from that store. They're awfully cute.

I'm thinking of getting my mother a lemon and lime tree bonsai (2 trees, one planter). I thought they'd smell nice and be convenient for cocktails.

 

[purplesparklies]

A local delicacy is called Gooey Butter Cake. Most bakeries here have a version but there's one specific place, a coffee shop, that makes THE BEST I think on earth. They make about 70 flavors by now, but only recently got into where you can order and ship them, or order and carry them out in advance in bulk. I personally like the original one. But I am someone who for non-locals and friends that "live abroad", I make a big box of local treats to send, and there is almost always one of these in there. The problem is, you end up eating this dang thing in one sitting (and it's not small).

YUM! Gooey Butter Cake is amazing! My family loves when I make one. Delicious but oh so many calories! Now I'm craving some.....grumble......

 

[ame]

calories? what calories...lol

i am far too lazy to make them. prior to this particular coffee shop, I used to actually get them at one of the grocery chains, bec they made a REALLY good one. But this one...beats the pants off of that one! It's "wetter" than most, gooey-er.

 

[OneFifty]

Kismet - Where can you get those trees in one planter. Is that something you are going to make yourself? I want one for me!

 

[missy]

Missy- I was wandering around red envelope and saw some cuff links that can make a wireless hotspot for you and everyone else in the room! Is that cool, or what? If they were for MAC, they'd be heading this way! Cool links!

I love Red Envelope- glad you liked some of the links! Those are cool cufflinks-I wonder how well they work?

Missy - We have the Inconvenient Kitty set of glasses from that store. They're awfully cute.

I'm thinking of getting my mother a lemon and lime tree bonsai (2 trees, one planter). I thought they'd smell nice and be convenient for cocktails.

I love those kitty glasses- they really are adorable! I love your idea of the lemon and lime bonsai trees for your mom. That really is a great idea for cocktail adornment. My dh would love that. Do they grow mini lemons and limes? Cute! Thanks for the idea Kismet!