2012: The Year You Finally Become a Gift Giving Genius

courtesy of Martha Stewart

Gift-giving. When you get it right, you feel great, and can wholeheartedly endorse the expression, "tis better to give than to receive." But when you get it wrong...the fake smile, the insipid praise, the bland thank-you note--ugh!

Such painful moments should be enough to inspire a new approach to how you shop for presents. And, though you might still have a few pine needles left on your floor from last month, now is the time to make a change.  Don't worry: it's not hard. In fact, all you need to do is spend 30-40 minutes upfront and you'll be on your way to giving thoughtful, unique gifts forever after.


Intrigued? I hope so. The key here is keywords, alerts to be specific.The goal is to get the auction aggregator sites to do the legwork for you, allowing you to spend your precious time elsewhere--even if it's watching random pet videos or checking into the ultimate time sink: Facebook.

My sister loves owls. So do a lot of people! This came up in my search. She has five people in her family so...
Carved hardstone owls on petrified wood. At Klein James on January 19th. estimate $200-300.

Live Auctioneers has, by far, the best tool for creating keyword searches, and allows a seemingly unlimited amount (I have at least forty on, so...) at no cost. To create them, go to your profile page on Live Auctioneers and click "Alert Terms." In the search box uptop, type in your keyword or words, then hit "Create Alert." I do advise you to then immediately preview it--it will help you make sure everything is spelled correctly, for one thing, and that the term yields the kind of results you're looking for.


Of course, there is an important step that precedes this, in fact, the most important step: creating your keyword list. Before you jump on L.A., you'll need to sit down with a pen and think about your family members and dear friends. What are their interests?  Are they intrigued by a certain historical event, era, decade or famous figure? Do they love a certain animal? Do they Scuba Dive? Flyfish? Who are their favorite authors? What colors do they like? Do they go crazy with the holiday decor? Do they love cheese? Wine? Monopoly? Asparagus?

You get the idea. The goal is to find a few relevant search words for each special person. One of my sisters, for instance, loves owls, is nuts about her German Shepard, and has a cockatiel, so I have searches on for each of those. My other sister loves whales and vintage santas, among other things. My mom loves woodcuts and is an avid birder. My dad adores his English Setter, and is interested in the Civil War, his Alma Mater, etc.

My parents moved to the Chicago area last year. The minute I saw the Copeland, "Chicago Pitcher, " which features historical vignettes, I knew it would make a nice gift for them. I researched the sales results and was able to secure one at a fair price. My mother's smile, when she opened the box, said it all. Success!

I have found many great items this way. The best thing about this method is, it's personal, yet fairly passive. I recommend LA for this because I like the way they impart information. When items come up that match your search, you receive an email with embedded photos and lot links to the actual description. You'll never get more than one email a day per search term, and you only get incremental items--ie everything that matches the search term since the previous email. Thus, even for a broader search term, such as "porcelain," it's rarely overwhelming.

My dad loves his English Setter and my sister loves her cockateil. This mixed lot of majolica may just be a done deal! At Skinner on January 19th, estimate $200-400. (Fingers crossed it goes for a lot less!)

Last year, I had a blog entitled: "Restocking the Gift Closet." Well, in actual fact, my closet is more of a clear plastic tub, but the message remains the same: always try to have a few small items on hand for quick birthday presents, housewarming gifts, hostess gifts, etc. Soap and candles are nice indeed, but for something with a bit more panache, I have a few favorites. One staple is an assortment of inexpensive pitchers, which can be used for either beverages or fresh cut flowers.

Two, clear pattern glass pitchers, circa 1900. At Horst Auctions on January 28th, estimate $50-75.

Please don't go to Pottery Barn, when you can get a stunning, handblown glass pitcher like this! At Keystone Auctions on January 28th, estimate $75-100.

 

I saw this lot and immediately thought: five special presents, plus one for the bidder! Six small Wedgwood jasper-dip pitchers: at Skinner on January 19th, estimate $250-350.

Other good "stocking the larder presents" include: paperweights, inexpensive candlestick holders, salt and pepper shakers, letter openers, magnifying glasses, small picture frames, serving utensils and trays. Or, look for lots of vintage bottles and fill them with bubble bath or vinegars. One thing is clear: the possibilities are vast. Online auctions enable you to find distinctive gifts from the comfort of your armchair--so what are you waiting for? Get your search(es) on NOW!

These nine paperweights feature historical figures--a bit specific for a host gift, but great for history buffs! Nine sulphide paperweights. At Kiminski auction on January 21st, estimate $200-300.

Circa 1970 brass letter opener in the shape of a sword. At auction January 18th, estimate: $20-40

It's hard to ever have enough serving utensils. Break apart this lot of sterling-handled utensils and you have seven hostess gifts nice enough to ensure you'll always have a seat at the table! At Leighton Galleries on January 19th, estimate $100-150.

Last year, I snapped up this lot of five pairs of brass candlesticks for $80. The brass polished up beautifully. I kept three (!) pairs for myself, and put the two smaller pairs in the gift closet. Don't be afraid of unpolished items--look for them! You often get a better deal due to a little surface dirt.

Green cut-to-clear vase, at Hewlett's on January 28th,  estimate $45-65.

Restocking the Gift Closet

Photo courtesy of Carolyn Roehm, A Passion for Blue and White
Spending time in the country? For gardeners and entertainers, it's hard to
have too many vases

It's summer, which means more invitations, entertaining and house guests. And those who giveth, receiveith...in theory, anyway. Want to ensure your return? Bring along a thoughtful gift.

...as this shot of Bunny Williams's vase collection from An Affair with a House will attest.

The keyword there, in case you missed it, was thoughtful. Scented candles are lovely and all, and a bottle of wine can be quite divine, but sometimes it pays to bring something a bit more unique. Auctions are a wonderful way to achieve this aim. The key, of course, is a little advance planning. My suggestion is this: throughout the year, when you see something appealing and reasonably priced, bid away and then stash those wins in an out-of-the-way closet. Unexpected birthdays, last minute invites...you'll be just like a Boy Scout: always prepared. 

In case you're a bit behind on this front, there are a few things coming up at auction that should help you restock the larder, as it were. First up, we have a great sale at the Conestoga Auction Company in Manheim, Pennsylvania on July 15th that features dozens of lots of Blenko glass.

Vintage Blenko glass fish vase, at Conestoga on July 15th, estimate $50-100.

Blenko glass has been produced in Milton, West Virginia since 1893. In my opinion, it's hard not to have a soft spot for it--or maybe that's just because I remember this fish vase, above, on my grandmother's table with a few blossoms floating in its belly. A variation of this vase is still produced by them today, available here for $180, or you can bid on this vintage one, estimate, $50-100. Two other lots from this auction appear below, and there are many other good choices in the catalog.

Twice as nice. Two Blenko vases (estimate  $50-100) equal two great presents.

Compotes look great with fruit, flowers, vintage ornaments, etc. Blenko compote,
at auction on July 15th, estimate $50-100.

Vases are a great choice because, as the shot of Bunny Williams's shelves up top  seem to attest, it's hard for gardeners to ever have enough of them. Wedgwood Jasperware is always well received, and looks great every season of the year. 

Pair of Wedgwood Jasperware vases, at Hutter, New York on July 16th, estimate $80-125.

This pretty spatterware ewer could be used for flowers or iced tea.

Spatterware ewer, at Leslie Hindman in Chicago on July 27th, estimate $60-80.

Three lovely gifts at Leslie Hindman on July 27th, estimate $100-200.

Don't forget the mixed lots. Three lovely vases make three special gifts, above, and faience can be very festive, below, both at Leslie Hindman in Chicago on July 27th. 

Lot of four faience vases, in Chicago on July 27th, estimate $80-120.

For more urban dwellers, or possibly the more urbane, consider Italian glass. Interior designer Mary McDonald collects vintage Murano and uses it for jewelry, a great addition to her dressing room, below.

Collection of vintage Murano glass, above and below,
courtesy of Mary McDonald: Interiors: The Allure of Style

This pair would do the trick nicely.

Pair of Italian glass bowls. Up for bidding on July 27th, estimate $150-250.

...as would these vintage ash trays. Perfect for holding your lip balm and other what-nots beside the bed too.

Mid-century ash trays, in PA on July 15th, estimate $30-100.

And finally, for the person who has everything, I offer up the following motley assortment of possibilities, including some kitsch. Because, after all, the first thing you want your host to do is smile!

Mid-century whiskey pump with six shot glasses,
at Conestoga on July 15th, estimate, $30-100.

It's not a UFO...it's an antique wooden cricket cage. At Leslie Hindman on
July 28th, estimate $100-200.

American scrimshaw tortoise shell, at auction in
Chicago on July 27th, estimate $80-120.

A pair of Italian ceramic parrots, at Leslie Hindman on July 27th,
estimate $80-120.

Stock up now for your Florida visits! At Conestoga on July 15th, estimate $30-100.