When searching for luxury wedding or milestone birthday gifts, it is important to think of quality. A luxury gift is considered luxury as it has been made to a high standard with high-quality materials, meaning that it is built to last. What better way to celebrate and signify a happy couple’s marriage or golden anniversary than gifting something that can last a lifetime? It acts as a metaphor for the strong bond you have with the recipient and also reflects the thought that has gone into the gift, particularly if it is commissioned or crafted in a small, limited-edition run. It could be a quirky gift that is handmade by a specific designer so each piece is unique, or it could be a personalised gift made in the recipient’s favourite colour and matches a scheme in their home. This attention to detail shows the depth of respect and knowledge you have for the recipient to make them feel special and loved.

Time is a significant factor when buying commissioned or personalised gifts. A custom, handcrafted gift can take time to produce depending on size, materials and the maker’s schedule, especially if it is a made to order gift or a large furniture piece. Check on current lead times with the maker to ensure that the gift can be made in time. If not, gift promises are a great way to let the recipient know that their gift is in the process of being made especially for them and that it will be with them soon.

Gift promises are handy if you’re attending an outdoor wedding or milestone anniversary at a restaurant and can’t take the gift with you due to its size. If buying a larger and unusual luxury gift, think about timing in regard to giving the gift as the occasion it is made for may not be the right time. You can always arrange to have it delivered straight to the recipient’s home for ease. We provide gift promises and direct gift sending services at AUTHOR should you ever need them.  Our customer service team are always delighted to manage the weird and wonderful from sending bronze fruit to Holland or large rugs to the US, no request is too big or too small and each order is handled with care. It is our goal to take the stress out of sourcing the perfect gift or piece for your home.

Every gift should be as unique as its recipient and you should really think about who the person is that you are buying for. Some may prefer functional gifts, whilst others favour quirky gifts that are for decorative purposes only. Some could have an interest in unusual gifts that blend function and beauty whilst others focus on its environmental impact and sustainability.

The provenance of a gift shows the detailed thought that has gone into sourcing it and also highlights why and what makes it unusual and exceptional. It can emphasise its collectable nature if it is a limited-edition bespoke piece by a specific artist or designer. It could also showcase the innovation and authenticity behind its design if it is made with unique materials or processes. For instance, the Peg Stool by Draff Studio. Furniture maker, Aymeric Renoud, of Draff Studio has invented a new furniture-making material called draff that is made from the by-product in alcohol production that is sourced from local distilleries and breweries near Dundee where his studio is based. A perfect gift for someone passionate about supporting local and reducing our environmental impact.

We’ve had special occasion gifts commissioned before such as glass sake sets and personalised bone china dinner sets. A personal favourite is bronze pears that AUTHOR founder, Jane, had commissioned by bronze artist Alice-Andrea Ewing in her Suffolk studio. The bronze sculptures are cast from real pears from a pear tree that Jane’s father had planted in his garden. An exquisite gift highlighting his love for gardening but also deeply personal and more meaningful by being cast from a tree he planted. It also showcases the provenance of Alice’s work. Alice casts seasonal and natural specimens found on the grounds of historical locations and from ancient trees across Britain as part of her ongoing collaborative project, Pomarius.