Holiday Gifts Guide

Gifts of Elegance
... Anniversary Gifts
... Birthday Gifts
... Business Gifts
... Holiday Gifts
......... Any Occasion Gifts
......... Valentine's Day Gifts
......... Mother's Day Gifts
......... Father's Day Gifts
.........
Graduation Gifts
......... Chanukah Gifts
......... Christmas Gifts
.... Wedding Gifts

Holiday Gifts Guide:
Original, Elegant Gift Ideas for the Holidays!

So what do you get the person who has everything (including good taste...) for the holidays? Why not check these sophisticated gift ideas...

Original jewelry crafted in silver, gold, and platinum... Unusual vases crafted from cast iron, aluminum, and hand blown glass... Exotic Japanese robes in silk and cotton, ceramics, and lacquered jewelry boxes... Unique Desk accessories in marble and granite... These gifts and more, are available at ARCHITECTs Touch: Gifts of Elegance.

A Brief History of:
... Christmas in America
... Christmas Gift Giving

Holiday Gifts:
Original Jewelry

Sterling silver snowflake pendant and necklace
Sterling Silver Snowflake
A snowflake cut in relief

Sun and Moon Pendant (lacquered wood)
Sun and Moon Pendant
Modern design + ancient tradition

Ogee Twist in Black Lacquered Plum Flower Box
Black Lacquered Plum Flower Box with Ogee Twist Earrings
Echo Earring in Red Rabbit Lacquered Box
Red Rabbit Lacquered Box with Silver Echo Earrings

Ogee Twist Earrings (sterling silver)
Ogee with a Twist Earrings
Sterling Silver


Echo Earrings
Goes with Ogee or Harmony Heart Pendant

Silver Droplet Pendant with blue sapphire
Blue Sapphire Droplet Necklace

A single droplet ripples far beyond...
       

Holiday Gifts:
Contemporary Crystal and Vases

Blue Crystal Egg
Crystal Glass-Blue
handmade in Czech Republic
Red Crystal Egg
Crystal Glass-Pink
handmade in Czech Republic

 

Holiday Gifts:
Unique Imported Gifts

Silk Kimono Scarf (red geometric)
Red Kimono Scarf
Vintage silk kimono fabric imported from Japan
Silk Kimono Scarf (flower)
Flower Kimono Scarf

Silk Scarf made from imported kimono fabric
Silk iPod Purse (red kimono fabric)
Vintage Kimono Purse

for iPods + cell phones

Japanese Teapot with 5 unique Teacups

Japanese Ceramic Bowls
Black and White cup and plate set
Black + White Ceramic Gift Set


Japanese Cast Iron Teapot

Beautiful crimson, 100% silk kimono
Women's Red
Silk Kimono

100% luxurious Silk
       

Holiday Gifts:
Desk Accessories


Large Print Photo Frame
with a Natural Curve
Granite photo frame for desk
3 Photo Frame

for 3 wallet size photos
Green marble makes moon-shaped cradle unique
Cell Phone Lounge
(a home for a phone)

Cell Phone Rocker - Granite
let your phone relax...
Everyone needs a calendar
Client Gifts:
Rainbow desk calendar with granite base
   

Christmas in America

  • 1647 British Parliament abolished all religious festivals, including Christmas.

  • Early Puritan emigrants also condemn Christmas celebrations as "wanton Bacchanalian feast."

  • Massachusetts Bay Colony (1659) treated Christmas as any other working day. Officials would fine anyone found feasting, refusing to work, or celebrating.

  • Eventually, liberal Protestants emigrate to America from Britain, Netherlands, and Germany. Brought Christmas Traditions over with them.

  • 1836, the earliest of the American states and territories began to recognize Christmas as a legal holiday

  • 1890, Christmas became a national holiday

 

Christmas Gift Giving

  • Spending money on others during Christmas is not a new phenomenon.

  • Until the 19th century, most expenditures on Christmas were for food and drink.

  • A tradition of gift giving among friends already existed during the New Year's holiday.

  • With the acceptance of the character Santa Claus, gift-giving gradually shifted from New Year's to Christmas.

  • The American character, Santa Claus evolved from Saint Nicholas from the 4th Century in Asia Minor. Legend has it, he came from a rich family and gave all his money to the poor.

  • Boosted by writings such as "A visit from St. Nicholas" (Twas the night before Christmas...) by Clement Moore (1823), the image of Santa Claus solidified in the American psyche.

  • Gradually American industry put extra goods into the marketplace for this holiday.

  • Up until the late 1800s, most gifts tended to be homemade.
    -Wrappping paper was introduced at this time, as commercially bought gifts were becoming popular. The wrapping paper (along with removing price tags) helped to offset the commercial stigma associated with store bought items.

*** Much of this information was derived from "Unwrapping Christmas" edited by Daniel Miller.

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