How to choose the Perfect Ceramic Gift
I think most people would agree that giving the PERFECT gift is both ideal and difficult.
If you are looking to give something which will be meaningful to the person you are buying for, (rather than become clutter or passed on) it is important to take a few factors into account.
If you already know that your giftee appreciates ceramics, homewares, handmade or artisan items however, you are already getting close to the right choice in considering ceramics.
In this post I have laid out some common themes which arise when people are choosing from my own River Ceramics collection, and addressed some issues which have come up in many conversations regarding preferences.
What IS the perfect ceramic gift?
By my definition, the perfect gift is something which will be;
treasured for a long time
Be used regularly and
Become a firm favourite of the recipient.
This blog is a quick gift guide to steer you toward the best chance of nailing the choice, with consideration of practicality, symbolism and understanding your giftee.
I have gone into detail on the 2 most popular gift items from my online store below, and how you can refine the choice to be perfect.
2 Popular Ceramic Gift Ideas
Serveware
In my view, Serving Platters and Serving Bowls in particular, are a perfect gift for;
Weddings
Housewarmings
Anniversaries
Food Enthusiasts
The gesture of serveware speaks to a sense of coming together, celebration and unity. A bowl in particular is a vessel for good things, celebration and nourishment. To me this is a gift which will live on for many years and be remembered as a gesture of love and thoughtfulness.
Jump to Tableware and Serve ware to see if I have a perfect piece in stock.
Cups & Mugs
By far my most popular item for gifting, Mugs are suitable for almost any human (when you make the right choice)
Cups and Mugs are the perfect gift for;
New Mums. They need lots of tea in big cups! And any excuse to use them.
Birthdays. Price wise cups are often perfect, and become a treasured gift.
Tea / Coffee / Cacao enthusiasts. If they always talk about their favourite beverage, see the guide below to get the choice just right.
A pair of mugs is beautiful as a couple’s gift. Think anniversary, weddings and engagements.
A guide to gifting somebody’s favourite cup
When people meet me in person to select a cup gift, I often find myself asking the same questions as a guide to getting it just right 👌
Here are some things for you to consider so that YOUR gift will become their favourite everyday item.
☕️ What do they drink?
Whether they like an espresso or favour a big warm chai latte, will be a much more important factor than the aesthetics of the cup. Know their preferred beverage first to get the volume right.
☕️ Volume?
Do they love a bucket size portion of tea in the morning (like me), or prefer to drink a dainty portion?
☕️ Handle?
For some people the handle is everything; does your gifted like to wrap their hand (all 4 fingers) right through the handle, or are they more the pinky up style? Do they even like a handle?
☕️ Lip
Like the handle, this isn’t important to everyone, but vital to some. Usually people who love a thin smooth lip can NOT abide anything less!
☕️ Are they a little errrm haphazard with things? Best to steer clear of small thin handles, or possibly handles at all! They are always the first thing to go with those who are heavy handed with the washing up.
☕️ Design
Finally the aesthetics. Once your functional features are locked in, you can choose colour, style and pattern to best suit your loved one.
Jump to cups and mugs to see if I have your loved ones' perfect cup in stock. You can get in touch to see if I am available for custom orders if ordering 4 or more.
Tips on what NOT to get
Personally I would stay away from;
Art as a general rule. Art is such a personal taste item that unless you REALLY know your giftee well, or they have made some hints, it is best to stay to functional work. If you have received art that you don't adore, it's really hard to know what to do with it, and we don't want to be that burden!
Highly Stylized work. Again, if you dont KNOW it's right up your giftee’s alley, it's best to stay with something loved by most.
Well Done
If you have a reasonable grasp on these factors, I am confident that you will get it absolutely right. If you are still unsure, it is still a beautiful thing to give a gift voucher so that someone can enjoy choosing their own perfect piece.
Head here if you would like a River Ceramics Voucher.
Best of luck & Happy Browsing :)
