Buying the perfect gift is an art, but finding something they’ll truly treasure isn’t always easy.
These are four of the best gifting platforms out there, to take the burden off buying and put the fun back into presents. From quirky homeware for the house-proud friend to games sets that will sit pride of place on their coffee table, these platforms offer something meaningful for mums, dads, besties and partners. Happy shopping.
THE GO-TO
The Go-To founder Victoire Tardy-Joubert has always been fond of finding the perfect gift for her friends and family, one that directly resonates with their own unique interests or speaks to a shared memory. After working in brand partnerships for MATCHES FASHION, she decided to build a new online marketplace that challenges the traditional model of gift buying. Her approach was to highlight the attention to detail and thoughtfulness that goes into choosing meaningful presents with an edit of gifts that speak to every personality, sourcing the next biggest homeware trend, independent designers, up-and-coming artists and accessories brands. Playful slogan products from The Refined Spirit and Candlols are bound to be a hit.
GREEKS BEARING GIFTS
Set up by female friends Maria and Valia in London, Greeks Bearing Gifts is a destination for globally-sourced, unique finds that shine a light on craftsmanship and design. The duo’s curated edit of under-the-radar designers simplifies the search for extraordinary pieces that range from the timeless classic to the eclectic one-off. Offering a seamless shopping experience, their concierge service ensures an equally bespoke approach to delivery, with every order benefitting from service as individualised as the gift itself. Each gift is carefully wrapped in eco-friendly materials, accompanied by a reusable pouch crafted from richly-woven, off-cut fabrics and finished with a personalised handwritten note. It’s a one-of-a-kind experience you’ll keep returning back to. Stories of Italy’s brightly coloured Murano-blown glassware is top of our list.
Not-Another-Bill
This London-based concept was first founded as a gift subscription service in 2011 with the goal to inject excitement into increasingly mundane, bill-heavy piles of post by sending customers a tailored, surprise present in the post each month. Fast forward to 2023, the model of the company may look different but their ambition to make post boxes magical again is deeply rooted in their DNA. With an extensive offering that covers everything from homeware to tech and beyond, from both their own product range and gifts sourced from other design-led brands, they focus on personalised gifts and customisation techniques including hot foil monogramming, engraving, embroidery, digital printing and more, all done by hand, in-house at their London studio.
ABASK
Abask is a new curated destination for handmade design and collectable, unique objects. The innovative e-commerce platform simplifies the search for exquisite pieces by celebrating the process of creation, from sharing the skills of fourth-generation artisans and contemporary craftsmen to telling the stories behind pieces it has sourced globally from workshops and studios. Products can be viewed not only by room but also by aesthetic and around four style pillars: Modernist, Classic, Minimalist and Bohemian. Whether looking to purchase a future heirloom or luxury gift, all pieces are delivered in recyclable boxes designed by the Paris-based artist Sarah Martinon. We think Yali Glass’s Ice Cream Sundae serving bowls make the perfect summer housewarming gift.
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