Gift Ideas for my wife. Please help. - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

FEIGN · 09-21-2004, 10:50 AM

Hello all,

I hope some of you can help me. I know i'm psycho, but i'm already thinking about Christmas. I am trying to figure out what to get for my wife. I am not necessarily looking for specifics. Every year I like to try to find unusual or custom gifts for her. One year I bought her custom designed perfume, another year custom made jewelry & last year I found a company that will make custom sneakers to your specifications. When I went online to try to find some websites for "Design Your Own" or "Create Your Own" gifts or products, all I seem to find are corporate logos or t-shirts or stickers or some other crap. I need some advice on where to look on the internet, or elsewhere, for cool, unusual or custom gift ideas. Any and all responses (unless negative) are greatly appreciated.

Thank you all very much.

Redlemon · 09-21-2004, 10:55 AM

There used to be a store near me that did custom swimwear design, where they did a body-scan of you to make sure it would fit exactly right. Of course, she'd need to go there to get it. And that store closed years ago. But, there might be another company doing the same thing.

FEIGN · 09-21-2004, 10:58 AM

Finally, someone who understands me. That's exactly the type of reply I am looking for.

Thanks again, good idea.

Redlemon · 09-21-2004, 11:04 AM

You might have some success with narrowing down the search < Google Search: custom design -customized >. I excluded 'customized', since that usually indicates a mass produced item with your name engraved on it.

Also, how about having an artist paint a portrait from a photo of the two of you?

maleficent · 09-21-2004, 11:06 AM

I think/thought the Gap (or some jeans company)does something similar with Jeans-- you end up getting jeans with a perfect fit.

A girl can never have too much jewelry -- I have a few custom pieces that I love, because they're unique.

Build-A-Bear lets you design your own teddy bear (vermont teddy bear does to a point as well)

ShaniFaye · 09-21-2004, 11:09 AM

if you dont have anything like this...

One of the best presents I ever got was the "hope" chest with matching quilt rack that my father made just for me and he designed it to go with my existing furniture.

http://www.smokymountainwoodworks.com/Chests.php

this site says they design and do custom work on those kinds of things

it says they also do beds...a custom desgined bed would be great and definately different...hmmm I need to get somebody to put a bug in Dave's ear about that since we cant find the kind of 4 poster we want ahahahaha

skills1 · 09-21-2004, 03:46 PM

Jewelry works wonders for me but you already did that before =\ Sadly I cannot think of anything specifically but good luck on it! Just browse around randomly one day and look at everything (Since making contact with an object can really help)

09-21-2004, 04:16 PM

what maleficent suggested: Build-A-Bear, I know it's nothing she could wear or use, but you stuff the bear (or whatever other animal you choose, they have many), put in a heart, pick out an outfit, and also you can record a message to put into it so that she can press it and hear a lovely message from her husband. That's a wonderful idea if you can find one near you.

clavus · 09-21-2004, 05:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ShaniFaye

if you dont have anything like this...

One of the best presents I ever got was the "hope" chest with matching quilt rack that my father made just for me..

I've seen SaniFaye's chest, and believe me, it's impressive...Wait, what were we talking about again?

OK, I'll contribute more than a smartass remark. I'm making custom coasters for friends and family for the Holidays. You can check out the prototype (as well as my contruction problems and solutions) in Tilted Artwork.

Coasters alone might not be such a great idea, but if you combined them with some hand-thrown mugs and fine beer from an obscure brewery you might have something. Heck, you could brew your own, and put personal lables on the bottles!

Disregard the above if your wife is not a beer-chick.

brianna · 09-21-2004, 05:04 PM

i know levi's does custom jeans and i have to say that it's a GREAT idea -- shopping for jeans is the suck.

you can also get a custom made corset from http://www.darkgarden.net/

Redlemon · 09-21-2004, 05:10 PM

Land's End also does custom jeans, as well as other things for tops and bottoms. But enough of custom clothing, since the OP probably doesn't know his wife's sizing infomation to THAT level of detail.

And Clavus, you missed the "hope" element of ShaniFaye's chest... and the rack...

Fremen · 09-21-2004, 05:11 PM

Get her an engraved drill.

/bachelor

Seriously, here is a site that customizes ceramics and pottery.
Wisconsinmade
One idea I liked was the one where they painted your house onto a ceramic platter.

Quote:

Heirloom Home Platters

$119.00

Heirloom Home Platters are custom hand-painted works of art. Each pottery piece is hand-poured, hand-finished, and kiln-fired before being sent to the decorating process. Using photographs provided by the customer, Cam-Rock Clay Works artists hand-paint your home onto this 12 ½ inch earthenware, cobalt blue plate. Platters are round with a plain edge. Your choice of three rim designs (flower, leafy vine, sponge or no design), may be added. The owner's name or address appears on the front of the plate. A personal message can be written on the back for an additional $15.00 (Cam-Rock Clay Works will bill you directly for this $15). Each beautiful platter, signed by the artist, makes a memorable wedding, anniversary, or holiday gift. Upon receipt of the order, Cam-Rock will contact you. You will be sent detailed instructions, a purchase certificate and a self addressed, postage paid envelope for you to send your photo, to Cam-Rock. Upon receipt of your photo,personal message and inscription, you will receive your platter within 6-8 weeks. No expedited orders please. Using photographs provided by the customer, artists at Cam-Rock Clay Works hand paint your home onto this 12 ½ inch earthenware, cobalt blue plate.

09-21-2004, 07:34 PM

Name a star after her?

Redjake · 09-22-2004, 05:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by :::OshnSoul:::

Name a star after her?

That's a good idea, not to mention it's not too pricy. Nothing says "I love you" like being able to point to a star that has her name!

FEIGN · 09-22-2004, 07:19 AM

This is great!
Thank you all for posting your really hepful ideas.
PLEASE KEEP THEM COMING. And just so everyone knows, while the "Build-A-Bear" is a cute and thoughtful idea, (many thanks to any who suggested it), I also have a four year old daughter, the last thing I need in my hous is another stuffed animal.

Agian, I want to thank everyone who has posted or might post in the future.

Thank you.

maleficent · 09-22-2004, 09:45 AM

I love the idea of a photograph turned into a painting... that's really cool...

This might be more for you than for her, but what about a professional sitting with a photographer (not sears, go a little better than that) The pics can either be tame or naughty - but it might be fun...

combatmedicjen · 09-23-2004, 01:38 PM

It's now possible to get any full-color picture you want engraved onto a "dogtag." You can go to this website and email them whatever picture you want engraved on the dogtag, pay them online, and have the thing delivered to your door. You can use it as a necklace or keychain, pet identification, or whatever...

And I LOOOOVE the do-it-yourself stuffed bear idea! I've always wanted to do that

ShaniFaye · 09-23-2004, 03:05 PM

combatmedicjen that is a fucking great site.... really cool things on it...Im making my christmas ideas list as I type this!!

hunnychile · 09-23-2004, 06:34 PM

Custom made cowboys boots, lingerie or a custom designed headboard. Could be a bit pricey, but extremely unique and I know I'd love either of those for the personal touch, insight and love attached to such gifts. Or a re-design of your entire bedroom all together...based on both your dreams, ideas and fantasies. There are sites out there, no doubt.

Custom jewelry is always cherished esp. if you work with the best artist/designers you can find. Ooooh, how about an entire Day of Spa 'pampering' with the 'works' ? That's pretty divine to most of us Ladies. Or....A 'limo night on the town' with your best friends - doing a progressive meal your reserved ahead of time at certain great restaurants or clubs is fun too.

clavus · 09-23-2004, 08:13 PM

Anyone with the most rudamentary soldering skills can make a glass jewelry box. Buy cool looking glass. Cut out your pattern. Tape the edges of the glass with metal tape. Solder it together. Use loops of wire to make the hinges.

Cheap. Easy as Hell and and impressive gift.

thenewguy · 09-25-2004, 10:15 AM

What if you made her something? You've got plenty of time - you could even enroll in a class at a community college if that was an option and present her with the 'best' thing you made.

I'm guessing the fact that you made it would impress her far beyond anything you could purchase.

maleficent · 09-25-2004, 02:32 PM

You can have pretty much anything, clothing wise, customized here....
http://www.customizedgirl.com/

09-21-2004, 10:50 AM	#1 (permalink)
FEIGN Upright Location: NEW JERSEY	Gift Ideas for my wife. Please help. Hello all, I hope some of you can help me. I know i'm psycho, but i'm already thinking about Christmas. I am trying to figure out what to get for my wife. I am not necessarily looking for specifics. Every year I like to try to find unusual or custom gifts for her. One year I bought her custom designed perfume, another year custom made jewelry & last year I found a company that will make custom sneakers to your specifications. When I went online to try to find some websites for "Design Your Own" or "Create Your Own" gifts or products, all I seem to find are corporate logos or t-shirts or stickers or some other crap. I need some advice on where to look on the internet, or elsewhere, for cool, unusual or custom gift ideas. Any and all responses (unless negative) are greatly appreciated. Thank you all very much. __________________ Remember, where ever you go, there you are.

09-21-2004, 10:58 AM	#3 (permalink)
FEIGN Upright Location: NEW JERSEY	Thank you Finally, someone who understands me. That's exactly the type of reply I am looking for. Thanks again, good idea. __________________ Remember, where ever you go, there you are.

09-21-2004, 11:06 AM	#5 (permalink)
maleficent Junkie Moderator Emeritus Location: Chicago	I think/thought the Gap (or some jeans company)does something similar with Jeans-- you end up getting jeans with a perfect fit. A girl can never have too much jewelry -- I have a few custom pieces that I love, because they're unique. Build-A-Bear lets you design your own teddy bear (vermont teddy bear does to a point as well) __________________ Free your heart from hatred. Free your mind from worries. Live simply. Give more. Expect less.

09-21-2004, 11:09 AM	#6 (permalink)
ShaniFaye Submit to me, you know you want to Location: Lilburn, Ga	if you dont have anything like this... One of the best presents I ever got was the "hope" chest with matching quilt rack that my father made just for me and he designed it to go with my existing furniture. http://www.smokymountainwoodworks.com/Chests.php this site says they design and do custom work on those kinds of things it says they also do beds...a custom desgined bed would be great and definately different...hmmm I need to get somebody to put a bug in Dave's ear about that since we cant find the kind of 4 poster we want ahahahaha __________________ *I want the diabetic plan that comes with rollover carbs. I dont like the unused one expiring at midnite!!*

09-22-2004, 07:19 AM	#15 (permalink)
FEIGN Upright Location: NEW JERSEY	This is great! Thank you all for posting your really hepful ideas. PLEASE KEEP THEM COMING. And just so everyone knows, while the "Build-A-Bear" is a cute and thoughtful idea, (many thanks to any who suggested it), I also have a four year old daughter, the last thing I need in my hous is another stuffed animal. Agian, I want to thank everyone who has posted or might post in the future. Thank you. __________________ Remember, where ever you go, there you are.

09-21-2004, 10:55 AM	#2 (permalink)
Redlemon Devoted Donor Location: New England	There used to be a store near me that did custom swimwear design, where they did a body-scan of you to make sure it would fit exactly right. Of course, she'd need to go there to get it. And that store closed years ago. But, there might be another company doing the same thing.

09-21-2004, 11:04 AM	#4 (permalink)
Redlemon Devoted Donor Location: New England	You might have some success with narrowing down the search < Google Search: custom design -customized >. I excluded 'customized', since that usually indicates a mass produced item with your name engraved on it. Also, how about having an artist paint a portrait from a photo of the two of you?

09-21-2004, 03:46 PM	#7 (permalink)
skills1 Tilted	Jewelry works wonders for me but you already did that before =\ Sadly I cannot think of anything specifically but good luck on it! Just browse around randomly one day and look at everything (Since making contact with an object can really help)

09-21-2004, 04:16 PM	#8 (permalink)
:::OshnSoul::: Guest	what maleficent suggested: Build-A-Bear, I know it's nothing she could wear or use, but you stuff the bear (or whatever other animal you choose, they have many), put in a heart, pick out an outfit, and also you can record a message to put into it so that she can press it and hear a lovely message from her husband. That's a wonderful idea if you can find one near you.

09-21-2004, 05:04 PM	#10 (permalink)
brianna Addict Location: nyc	i know levi's does custom jeans and i have to say that it's a GREAT idea -- shopping for jeans is the suck. you can also get a custom made corset from http://www.darkgarden.net/

09-21-2004, 05:10 PM	#11 (permalink)
Redlemon Devoted Donor Location: New England	Land's End also does custom jeans, as well as other things for tops and bottoms. But enough of custom clothing, since the OP probably doesn't know his wife's sizing infomation to THAT level of detail. And Clavus, you missed the "hope" element of ShaniFaye's chest... and the rack...

09-21-2004, 07:34 PM	#13 (permalink)
:::OshnSoul::: Guest	Name a star after her?

09-22-2004, 09:45 AM	#16 (permalink)
maleficent Junkie Moderator Emeritus Location: Chicago	I love the idea of a photograph turned into a painting... that's really cool... This might be more for you than for her, but what about a professional sitting with a photographer (not sears, go a little better than that) The pics can either be tame or naughty - but it might be fun... __________________ Free your heart from hatred. Free your mind from worries. Live simply. Give more. Expect less.

09-23-2004, 01:38 PM	#17 (permalink)
combatmedicjen Banned	It's now possible to get any full-color picture you want engraved onto a "dogtag." You can go to this website and email them whatever picture you want engraved on the dogtag, pay them online, and have the thing delivered to your door. You can use it as a necklace or keychain, pet identification, or whatever... And I LOOOOVE the do-it-yourself stuffed bear idea! I've always wanted to do that

09-23-2004, 03:05 PM	#18 (permalink)
ShaniFaye Submit to me, you know you want to Location: Lilburn, Ga	combatmedicjen that is a fucking great site.... really cool things on it...Im making my christmas ideas list as I type this!! __________________ *I want the diabetic plan that comes with rollover carbs. I dont like the unused one expiring at midnite!!*

09-23-2004, 06:34 PM	#19 (permalink)
hunnychile Alien Anthropologist Location: Between Boredom and Nirvana	Custom made cowboys boots, lingerie or a custom designed headboard. Could be a bit pricey, but extremely unique and I know I'd love either of those for the personal touch, insight and love attached to such gifts. Or a re-design of your entire bedroom all together...based on both your dreams, ideas and fantasies. There are sites out there, no doubt. Custom jewelry is always cherished esp. if you work with the best artist/designers you can find. Ooooh, how about an entire Day of Spa 'pampering' with the 'works' ? That's pretty divine to most of us Ladies. Or....A 'limo night on the town' with your best friends - doing a progressive meal your reserved ahead of time at certain great restaurants or clubs is fun too. __________________ "I need compassion, understanding and chocolate." - NJB Last edited by hunnychile; 09-23-2004 at 06:43 PM..

09-23-2004, 08:13 PM	#20 (permalink)
clavus pow! Location: NorCal	Anyone with the most rudamentary soldering skills can make a glass jewelry box. Buy cool looking glass. Cut out your pattern. Tape the edges of the glass with metal tape. Solder it together. Use loops of wire to make the hinges. Cheap. Easy as Hell and and impressive gift. __________________ Ass, gas or grass. Nobody rides for free.

09-25-2004, 10:15 AM	#21 (permalink)
thenewguy Insane Location: West Coast, USA	What if you made her something? You've got plenty of time - you could even enroll in a class at a community college if that was an option and present her with the 'best' thing you made. I'm guessing the fact that you made it would impress her far beyond anything you could purchase.

09-25-2004, 02:32 PM	#22 (permalink)
maleficent Junkie Moderator Emeritus Location: Chicago	You can have pretty much anything, clothing wise, customized here.... http://www.customizedgirl.com/ __________________ Free your heart from hatred. Free your mind from worries. Live simply. Give more. Expect less.