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Has gift giving become
just another chore? Do you yearn to put something 'more' into the
gifts you give--more of yourself while extending a message of affection,
a gesture of friendship, or a symbol of your love? Then I
encourage you to check out The Art of Giving: Gift ideas to delight
the senses.
The 128-page hardcover is written by Liezel
Norval-Kruger, an author of several interior
design books, and Tina Marie Malberbe, one of South Africa’s best
known decor stylists. The
book has a definite international feel, and reminds me of the glossy,
beautifully photographed books and magazines published by
lifestyle expert Martha Stewart.
The gift suggestions
are simple, yet sophisticated. Each includes a full-color photo, making
it easier to visualize and then duplicate the gift. Many of the gifts can
be made with simple supplies and ingredients found around the house;
directions are included in the book. Other items are purchased
ready-made and then embellished with personalized gift tags, wrappings
and other little touches.
The book is divided
into eight chapters:
Touch
Smell
Taste
Wrap
Recipes, Do-it-Yourself
and Templates
Suppliers
and Resources
Touch
The
emphasis here is on gifts that appeal to your sense of touch.
Indeed, many of the items shown in this section beckon you to reach out
and feel their exquisite textures. Projects include simple handbags made
of sumptuous silk, sparkling beaded coasters and crocheted hot
water bottle covers (after all, those hard rubber bottles aren’t
very snuggly, are they?) There's a simple blanket made with
the softest fleece, crisp French linen napkins, organza shoebags and
table runners with touchable velvet trim accents.
For
men, they recommend books or journals covered with leather, tweed or
herringbone or sophisticated pinstripe shoebags. There are some
wonderful ideas for children's gifts, such as beanbags covered in softly
textured fabrics, handmade finger puppets and homemade play dough
scented with essential oils like lavender, rosemary or lemon.
(Personally, I would skip the essential oils, unless you are certain the
recipient doesn't have allergies.)
Smell
The
gift of smell? Well, why not? Fragrances often evoke deep
feelings within us. Think about the smell of pine and how it
reminds you of Christmas, or how a breeze scented with lilacs makes you
think that spring is on the way. Gifts of fragrance can truly touch the
soul! This chapter includes many ideas on how to give the gift of
smell. You will find directions for making simple sachets, dream
pillows, linen sprays and bath salts. How about a box of fresh
rose petals the recipient can toss into her bath water? There are
some ideas for presenting flower gifts and herb seeds, too. I
especially loved the “Sole Food” gift, in which you give the
recipient everything needed for their own foot spa, including smooth
pebbles and homemade foot bath oil.
Although
many of these ideas aren't new, the authors show you how to present each
item in unique wrappings or containers.
Taste
Don't
peruse this section until you've had a good meal--it's guaranteed to
make your mouth water! In it you will find instructions for making chocolate
swizzle sticks, chocolate-coated coffee beans, pistachio nut cookies,
biscotti, spice-infused teabags and more. Although many of the items are
gourmet ingredients that would especially be appreciated by cooks (such
as a box of exotic spices, sugared pineapples and flavored herbs), still
others include a touch of whimsy, such as a box of plain miniature cakes
accompanied by another box filled with sprinkles and decorations
for those cakes. The recipient can then decorate those cakes to his
heart's desire! (What a great activity for a child's birthday
party!)
This
chapter also shows you how to take generic, store-bought food items and
present them in unusual ways. Some of my favorites include rice
wrapped in muslin and then a bamboo steamer, wine bottles wrapped in
"wine stained" paper and meringues wrapped in ribbon printed
with the words 'forget me not.'
Wrap
This
chapter will show you how to turn even mundane, everyday gifts into
something special by wrapping them with unique materials or in an
unusual way. The authors show you how to transform large leaves, antique
handkerchiefs, cardboard tubes, tin boxes, foil containers, Chinese
take-out boxes and even film canisters into unique gift
presentations. This was, by far, my favorite chapter in the
book. I was especially inspired by their creative use of mailing
tubes; they suggested wrapping tubes with postcards or photocopied
photographs. After this chapter, you may find that you need not
ever buy traditional wrapping paper again!
Recipes, Do-it-Yourself
and Templates
This
chapter includes 22 recipes for
most of the food gifts suggested throughout the book. It is
followed by three pages of project instructions on paper folding and box
making. There's a page of labels that can be photocopied and used on the
suggested gift containers. Finally, the last two pages include
directions for making French linen napkins, beaded coasters and other
sewing-type projects.
Suppliers
and Resources
The
book closes with a helpful one-page list of resources where you can
purchase some supplies mentioned in the book. Thankfully, some of
the items are widely available in stores like Target and Kmart. Each
supplier listing includes an address, phone number and website, when
applicable.
This
it truly a beautiful book, filled with sophisticated--yet simple--gift
ideas. Although many of the actual gifts aren't new ideas, the authors
have found creative and unusual, yet elegant ways to present them. If
you want to add a personal touch to generic gifts, be sure to check out
this book!
For
more information or to purchase this gift, click below:
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