Among the traditional gifts given by friends and neighbors for the Holiday period and Christmas are those items that tend to be offered at this time of year, such as household items, ornaments, chocolates, pot plants and games. There is not much wrong with these choices, but it is often difficult to choose a gift for a relative or neighbor that lasts or would be useful rather than just stored in a cupboard as many are.

Here are some ideas for traditional gifts that offer a touch of uniqueness, if there is such a term, and show the recipient that you have put some thought into your choice. Far better than any box of chocolates, such personal gifts are always welcome and it is always better to select gifts that people appreciate.

Naturally everybody will have their own ideas on what constitutes a good gift, and having knowledge of the preferences of the recipients and what they already have certainly helps. Nevertheless, you are sure to find something among these suggestions that catches your eye – and your interest.

Nutcrackers as a Christmas Gift

For some reason people eat more nuts at the Holiday period than at any other time of the year. \”Chestnuts roasting on an open fire\” are very traditional, and apart from these, this is when the annual game of \’hunt the nutcrackers\’ is played out in homes all over the world. You last used them a year ago, so where they heck are they now?

So guess what is gift recommendation Number 1? You got it – nutcrackers. Not any old nutcrackers, but beautiful Steinback nutcrackers. Nobody does Christmas like the Germans and Austrians, and from the 10 inch Balthazar or Melchior Wise Men, to the 16 inch \’Father Frost\’ or even King Barbarossa, you have a choice of some wonderfully unique nutcrackers that you will not want to put away until next year!

You can buy nutcrackers in the form of an elf, Uncle Sam or Santa Claus – including a Mrs. Claus, an Alpine Santa or even an Irish Santa. These nutcrackers are not only large and decorative, but they are strong and durable genuine nutcrackers, and can crack any nuts. Even the hard ones that are hard to crack!

Chinese Lacquered Boxes

Another good idea for traditional gifts is storage boxes – but boxes with a difference! A 42 inch high Chinese black lacquered box with eight drawers, decorated with hand carved mother of pearl. At 19 inches wide this is a significant item of furniture, and would make a fabulous gift for anybody – but particularly a woman. It can be used to store jewelry and other valuables, and looks magnificent.

This is just under $400, but for something more affordable at under $75, perhaps a Regal jewelry box with two drawers and a hinged top also displaying 8 compartments for individual items such as rings and necklaces. Boxes are not only decorative but functional, and store your valuables safely so they cannot get damaged

Clocks and Sad-Looking Bears

Clocks are also good traditional gifts. They need not look traditional, although there are many traditional Alpine cuckoo clocks available that are popular for Holiday gifts. However, you really want to give clocks that are in vogue all year round, and if there are any old \’sea-dogs\’ in the family, a captain\’s wall clock in the form of a ship\’s wheel would be an appropriate gift.

Another idea is a clock featuring animals, and there are clocks available depicting cats and dogs. One brilliant idea is a round wall clock, with a face featuring the eyes, eyebrows and nose of a cuddly bear, with the mouth being depicted by the hands. Depending on the time, the hands can show a happy, say or grim face, and your kids would have a great time deciding what mood the bear was in right now! At 7.25 PM the bear looks glum – because the kids are not in bed already!

Beautiful Romanian Porcelain

If clocks are out of time for you, then how about giving porcelain figurines as traditional gifts? These are no cheap reproductions but genuine original pieces from Romania. They are beautiful depictions of young women in crinoline dresses that have been painstakingly hand crafted.

Rosa, for example, is a beautiful lace figurine that has been hand-made from fine porcelain and hand painted, and each piece has been signed by the artist. Just one of these would grace a mantel, cabinet or table and would make a fabulous gift at this time of year.

Get A Board for a Great Time

Among other traditional gifts online are board games of many kinds, including stone and compound copies of the Lewis chess set, backgammon sets, mahjong and even the oriental game of Go. If you have never played Go, you will find it an intriguing game of strategy based loosely on warfare and surrounding the enemy, and you and your relatives or friends will have a great time together. That\’s likely one reason for the Chinese and Japanese being such great strategists.

There are many other ideas you can use for traditional gifts for the holiday period and birthdays, but those above are unusual and you can be almost certain that nobody else will be giving the same gift as you this Christmas.

For more ideas on great traditional gifts for relatives, friends and neighbors, visit Global Home Accents. You will find some great seasonal gift ideas including fabulous unique German nutcrackers and many other gifts at reduced prices.

For more ideas on traditional gifts check out http://www.globalhomeaccents.com where you will find some fabulous gifts that will be acceptable throughout the year, not just this Holidays.

Author Bio: For more ideas on great traditional gifts for relatives, friends and neighbors, visit Global Home Accents. You will find some great seasonal gift ideas including fabulous unique German nutcrackers and many other gifts at reduced prices.

Category: Womens Interest
Keywords: traditional gifts, German nutcrackers, gifts for the holiday period, ideas for traditional gifts