There is a moment, usually somewhere in the middle of December, when the gifts arrive looking exactly like the thousand others shipped from the same warehouse. They are fine. But also forgettable.
Handmade glass is the opposite of forgettable. Every piece that leaves our hot shop in Asheville's River Arts District was gathered, shaped, and finished by hand, which means no two are truly identical. The person who receives it is holding something a maker actually touched, an object with small variations that make it one of a kind. That is what turns a gift into a keepsake, and eventually into an heirloom.
To make your shopping easier this season, we have organized our favorite pieces by the person you are buying for. Whether you are shopping for a devoted host, a couple starting out, or the friend who somehow already owns everything, there is a handblown piece here with their name on it.
For the Host Who Loves to Entertain
Some people were simply born to throw a good dinner party. For them, drinkware they will actually be proud to set on the table is the gift that keeps giving, one gathering at a time.
Our Waterfall Rocks Glasses ($46) are a perennial favorite, with a single ribbon of color running through clear glass that catches the light beautifully when the drinks come out. If your host has a playful side, the Tipsy Waterfall Rocks Glasses ($46) have a gently tilted, off-kilter form that always earns a smile.
For the cocktail enthusiast, the Artist's Stemware Coupe ($100) brings a little vintage glamour to every pour, whether it is a martini, a French 75, or a scoop of sorbet at the end of the night.
For the Couple (Weddings, Anniversaries, and New Homes)
Glass has always carried meaning for couples. It is why we toast with it. A handblown set marks a milestone in a way a registry item off a big-box shelf never quite manages.
Our Artist's Stemware line is made for exactly these occasions. The Nick & Nora ($96) is elegant and timeless, named for the film couple who made the after-dinner cocktail an art form. For the pair who loves to celebrate, the Champagne ($96) flutes are a natural choice for anniversaries and engagements. And if they are wine people, a set of Red Wine ($104) or White Wine ($96) stemware becomes the glasses they reach for on quiet evenings in.
For housewarming gifts, the Waterfall Stemless Glasses ($46) are relaxed, sturdy, and endlessly versatile, perfect for a couple still building their collection.
For the Person Who Already Has Everything
We all have one. The friend or family member who, when asked what they want, shrugs and says they really do not need a thing. The trick is not to buy them something useful. It is to buy them something beautiful they would never think to buy themselves.
Our Constriction Bud Vases ($96) are exactly that kind of object. Sculptural, colorful, and lovely even when empty, they turn a single stem from the garden into a small event on a windowsill or mantel. Give one, or give a cluster in varying shapes for real impact.
The Rainbow Optic Glass ($42) is another quiet showstopper, a piece that throws color across a countertop when the morning light hits it. It is the sort of everyday object that makes an ordinary glass of water feel like a small luxury.
For a Little Everyday Magic (and Great Stocking Stuffers)
Not every meaningful gift needs to be a grand gesture. Some of the most loved presents are the small ones that add a spark of beauty to an ordinary day.
Our Diamond Optic Ornament ($26) is a holiday favorite for good reason. Each one is handblown with a faceted, light-catching surface, and it becomes the kind of ornament a family unwraps and hangs first, year after year. It is also the ideal stocking stuffer, host gift, or teacher thank-you.
The Waisted Drinking Glasses (from $40) come in several colors and make a thoughtful, giftable set for a coworker, a new neighbor, or anyone who deserves to trade their plain tumblers for something with a little soul.
The Gift of Making It Yourself
If you really want to give something unforgettable, give an experience. Our glassblowing workshops let someone step up to the furnace and shape their own piece of glass alongside one of our artists. It makes a memorable gift for a partner, a parent, or a group of friends, and they walk away with something they made with their own hands. For couples, our date-night sessions turn an evening out into a story they will still be telling next year.
You cannot wrap a memory, but you can absolutely put it under the tree in the form of a gift card.
A Few Practical Notes for Holiday Shoppers
Because everything we make is blown by hand, our most popular pieces do sell through during the holiday rush. Shopping a little early means you get the colors and styles you want, with time to spare for shipping.
Speaking of which, we offer free shipping on orders over $250, so a gift for a couple or a full set of stemware often ships on us.
And if you happen to be in Asheville, we would love to see you. Our gallery and hot shop are open for browsing and live glassblowing demonstrations, tucked into the River Arts District within walking distance of New Belgium Brewing. There is no better way to choose a gift than to watch a piece like it being made right in front of you.
Browse the full collection and find the piece that is meant for someone on your list this year.
