April 30, 2020 3 min read

Giving thoughtful gifts can be tricky, especially in a world where people have access to anything and everything they can imagine. If there’s an occasion coming up for someone special in your life and you’re struggling to find the right gift idea, glassware might be the option. Below are some excellent reasons to give the gift of glassware for birthdays, anniversaries, housewarming gifts, and more.

You Can Customize It

If you think glassware is a boring gift, think again. These days, you can have everything from a stemless champagne flute to a rocks glass etched with the map of a college town, your hometown, or even the night sky – all depending on the occasion and the message you want to send. You can even find glassware with maps of marathon routes, rocks glasses with literary quotes, and a US Constitution rocks glass for “We the People” who love history or politics.

It’s Versatile

When you look at glassware as a gift, it may help to view it as much more than just a vessel that can hold iced tea, a pint of beer, or some wine. With a little creativity, it can become absolutely anything and mean so much more to the recipient. For example, you could fill some stemmed wine glasses with candy or treats, and you might even choose to gift a small succulent planted directly into the rocks glass for a unique presentation. (Just remember to transplant it later!) Glassware can be used as a desktop pen holder or a decorative item in a curio cabinet. The possibilities are endless.

It’s Practical and Heartfelt

Even if glassware is used for its intended purpose, it’s still a very practical gift and one that the recipient will likely use for years and years. In fact, in some families, glassware is preserved and passed down through generations – especially if there’s a touching story behind it. Imagine giving someone a pint glass etched with the map of their college town 20 years after finishing their degree. Every time they pour a pint, they’ll remember the good times they had.

You Can Mix and Match

Glassware can be mixed and matched, so it is perfect for the recipient, as well. For example, you could put together a gift set comprised of this Chicago street map wine carafe and the associated stemless wine glasses. If you really want to go all out, you can give both alongside a stunning Chicago map bar board that will make serving guests – and cleanup afterward – much simpler.

It’s Thoughtful

With so many options for glassware available, it’s possible to be really creative and come up with something that’s sure to make the recipient’s day. In fact, just as an example, it’s popular for brides and grooms to give their wedding parties glassware as gifts and for everyone to toast together using that glassware at the reception. Consider mason jars for rustic-style weddings or champagne flutes for more formal events.

Glassware is a great gift because it’s practical and useful, but it’s still heartfelt. It can be as versatile as you are creative, too, and you can mix and match pieces to create the perfect gift set for a parent, a sibling, a spouse, or even a coworker – depending on the occasion.