Unique gift findings

The Bubble Calendar ($29.99)



Flat flowers for small spaces

Frank Gehry meets Tiffany

Tiffany and Co launched a collection of pieces by Frank Gehry that it bills as "exquisite jewelry, years in the making, born of a revolution and steeped in a new and daring sensuality. Chic. Glamourous. Fashionable. Defiantly so."

The Orchid drop pendant (left) is one of a series of pieces designed by the architect including earring and brooches. The most extravagant ($6,800) of the pieces features round brilliant diamonds and a 16" chain.

The small drop pendant in sterling silver on a 16" chain is $150. A nephrite green jade pendant on a chain is $350. Nearly one hundred different pieces are in the collection, sure to satisfy many admirers of modern, sparkly things.

Off-the-beaten-path gift sources

Art is Art (which I've blogged about before) has art, funky furniture, and handmade jewelry offerings that make unique and affordable gifts. The assortment of sculptures, canvases and hand-crafted furniture pieces fills the two-room store.




The Dallas Museum of Art's Store features its annual Holiday Spree from December 2 through the 9th. Members enjoy 20% off throughout the store on all its books, prints, jewelry, and gifts.

At the MAC next weekend, enjoy the 10th annual Blue Yule Holiday Party and Ornament Sale fundraiser. Handmade ornaments by local artists, music and food and an auction promise a fun and artsy opportunity to pick up a gift or two, one artist had a fun time in 2005, though this artist's review of a the 2002 "Blew Yool" event is a little more pessimistic and .

Next weekend is also the Urban Street Bazaar at the Dallas Farmers Market. Over sixty booths featuring handmade jewelry, clothing, and accessories and a slate of fifteen bands will make for a festive shopping experience. There will also be an auction and raffle of items from participating vendors.

For gift giving that helps others, consider this article from the Dallas Morning News: More and more Americans are changing their approach to holiday wish lists. A lot of people are saying, 'You know what? I don't want any more stuff,' and a charitible donation in their honor may be just the ticket. A wide variety of charities offer donation gift options: UNICEF, the North Texas Food Bank, the Emergency Artists Support League, and La Reunion are a few to consider.

Individualized unique gifts up the ante

I'm planning on adding this crocodile to the list of gifts for those who have everything. The New York Times has several other suggestions this week as their "Holiday Shopper" feature joins numerous other sites in the holiday gift-guide fervor. The collection introduces several unique and eye-catching novelties that trump any World's Best Dad mug-and-tie combo several times over. As the Times explains, "NOBODY wants to give a predictable gift, but in an era when stores everywhere sell the same merchandise, it’s hard to avoid. As long as there are shoppers with imagination, though, there will be surprises in shops and on Web sites." The crocodile is available at Linda Horn antiques in two sizes: small crocs for $575 or $1250 for the larger ones. For those with more mammalian affinities, a horse-cum-lamp is available in black resin from Moooi. It's priced at $4100. Hay and oats and 100-watt bulb are extra. For those who are looking for a lower price point, consider the acupuncture model of a horse from Archie McPhee. Their offerings range from eccentric to unique to complete joke: wind-up leiderhosen, Swedish ear syringes, and latex vultures. Thanks to the internet, all your hardest-to-impress will be easy to shop for.

Shopping Suggestion WebTools

A short questionnaire--where you pick your favorite of sixteen images in several dimensions, including colors, activities, furnishings, and food--can lead to tailored suggestions for gift ideas at Imagini. Rather than tracing similar purchases or other ways of developing suggestions, this site uses the collection of pictures to summarize "how you feel and what you like across each area of your life."

My sample VisualDNA profile:

Your choice of colour signifies a sense of intelligence, communication, trust, efficiency, serenity, duty and calm. You are likely to be a very devoted and loyal person that likes things to be in order. You are probably happy to express your emotions and are regarded by your friends as someone that can easily gauge their mood.

Spare time is spent hanging out with your friends. You are relaxed, social and love to just spend time getting together and getting out and about. Living for your social life, fun and friendships are your top priority.

Nothing beats wide-open spaces, and the chance to stretch your legs and mind - this is what you do for fun. You can be a little nostalgic, and like to revisit places with fond memories - sentiment is not lost on you!

You love the chance to appreciate the natural things in life that sometimes pass you by. It is a real treat to be able to pause and enjoy the beauty of the world around you.

Your style is relaxed and approachable, you like things to have character, and posses that handcrafted feel.

When you have extra time you like to use it productively, you always have projects on the go. You are hard working and always like to be giving something back.

You like your holidays to take you far away from the routine of daily life. You don't mind roughing it, preferring to live sparingly as travel is about experience, not indulgence. You like to sit back and immerse yourself in another culture - you definitely have the travel bug.

What matters to you most is your family, you see them as the backbone of your life.

Giving means more than the gift itself - but the feeling it gives the receiver. You know how important the smallest things in life can make people feel. Your sensitiveness and perception could be your best qualities."

Based on this profile, the site offers a collection of gift suggestions. Suggestions included an Agata bracelet, the Cuboluce table lamp (which turns on when the top is raised, and is therefore very appealing to the gadget-prone);. Missioni throw pillows, and donations to humanitarian groups from Good Gifts including a bicycle for a midwife or medicines for a rural vet.