SAY IT WITH UNUSUAL GIFTS

What makes an usual gift? It’s certainly not just a gift that gives joy to the receiver, but something with a twist, an X factor that converts an ordinary everyday item into something different and special.

The key here is that the item is both functional and aesthetically attractive, with eye-catching designs and new gimmicks. Gift items range from tabletop to kitchenware, houseware, office, wellness and natural products.

There is also a trend for the kitsch, romantic and hand-crafted translated through bags with pop art images and brooches, rhinestones, pearls, dyed mink and large flower motifs. Religious and Asian motifs are also used as the subject of the designs complemented with scented candles and room scents to bring relaxation.

Recycling is very much in with today’s designers. Old tetra packs become bags, old newspapers and magazines are given a new life as houseware gifts.

Another trend is the retro design, adding color and character to a product and transforming it into an attractive and colorful item.

An unusual gift is also a versatile product. It is multi-functional and innovative, like the Creativando Sixties tray which can be placed as a tray on the table or as a pillow in bed. It can also be any kitchen or office product from Koziol whose decorative designs are ingenious as well as functional since they are actually kitchen tools doubling as office supplies. Thus, they double as decorations for the kitchen and the office. An unusual gift can be used in many different ways as the stickable watch by Stamps proves. This watch serves as an accessory and decoration for any place it is stuck to.

Lastly, an unusual gift has fun and adventurous characteristics. Its design can also serve as an expressive declaration of one’s sentiment.

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For comments and suggestions, e-mail the author at yasminehidalgo@yahoo.com.