Best Inexpensive Gifts For People With Expensive Tastes

We all have them - friends or family members with "discerning tastes". Perhaps we fall into the category ourselves. If you have the joy and privilege to be able to buy a present for such an individual, don't panic. There is no need to spends hundreds or thousands of dollars on the most expensive Christmas gifts for a loved one who enjoys a little luxury. Gourmet chocolates, a wine club membership, an ounce of caviar...these are just some of the lovely gifts under $100 for those who remember the good life....or for those who aspire to it.

There is something very pleasing about signing your name with a great pen. Properly weighted, balanced precisely, perfect length, easy to grasp, smooth flow of ink....whether it will be used to sign a cheque for a million dollar contract or a cheque for a used Chevy, a quality pen is a good luxury Christmas gift for women or men. Some brand names that offer many beautiful ballpoint and rollerball pens under $100 include Montblanc, Monteverde, Colibri, and Waterford. Monteverde also has fountain pens from the $90.00 range.

There are any number of options here. Perhaps the luxury lover on your list is interested in sailing, or enjoys gourmet food. Maybe exotic travel is more to their taste, or fast cars. If they love it all, the Robb Report is an enjoyable read every month. Billed as A Global Luxury Source, this glossy magazine is chock full of interesting articles and advertisements that describe and promote all aspects of the good life. Other options include Yachting World, Gourmet, Town and Country, Harper's Bazaar, and Fine Cooking.

The popularity of wine clubs has exploded over the past few years. Much like a Book of the Month Club, the subscriber receives either one or several bottles of wine, delivered to their home or office on a regular basis. Whether they arrive monthly or semi-monthly, there is quite a lot of selection. White wine, or red? California only, or international? There are wine clubs based in North America as well as Europe, so gift wine is a lovely option if you have to buy a gift for someone who lives overseas or across the continent. Be sure to investigate the shipping options between countries. WineInsiders, for example, is a good choice for Canadians who wish to pay with a Canadian credit card and ship the wine to the United States. In 2011, a three month membership costs $89.00. By purchasing the wine club membership as a gift, you can either email the recipient a gift card, or print out a certificate to include in your Christmas Card.

Epica.com provides a variety of handmade journals, guest books, and wine logs. Handcrafted in Italy and shipped from Masachusetts, leather and wood books are available in several sizes and styles. The smaller leather wine log retails for $65.00.

Silk Pajamas and Boxer shorts are popular luxury gifts for men and women as they are comfortable, soft, and surprisingly inexpensive! Everyone feels pampered when wearing silk. My teenage son received two pairs of silk boxers a couple of years ago as a gag gift from his brother, and much to his surprise (and mine) he absolutely loved them! There are many prints and styles available.

Whenever I came across the word caviar as a child I was immediately transported to a place where beautiful thin people mingled in a room lit by an enormous chandelier, the men in tuxedos and the women in evening dresses. Consider introducing caviar to the luxury seeker on your gift list.

For Canadian gift buyers, the International House of Caviar in Burnaby, British Columbia offers a variety of one ounce packages of caviar for less than one hundred dollars. Selections include Baerii Sturgeon Caviar from Germany, $75.00, Canadian Sturgeon Caviar for $90.00, California Sturgeon Caviar for $75.00, and Paddle Fish Caviar, from California, for $55.00.

An American online fine food retailer, Blackstar Gourmet, is offering a wide range of high end delectables for gourmands. Their Paddlefish Caviar Gift Set is on sale for $91.50 and includes caviar presented in a crystal gift jar, and accompanied by a package of 36 Russian mini blini, and a seven and a half ounce portion of creme fraiche.

Thought by many to be the best chocolate in the world, Amadei Italian Chocolates have won numerous awards for their delectable cocoa creations.  One box of napolitains contains thirty six individual pieces, and retails for $100 online. Scrumptious.

Williams-Sonoma has a beautiful glass ice bucket which makes a splendid addition to anyone's bar. The addition of custom monogramming will make it a truly unique and treasured gift. This item is exclusive to Williams-Sonoma and is only available for online ordering. Available with either a single or triple initial option, it retails for $65.00. For Christmas delivery it must be ordered by Friday December 16, 2011.

Pocket watches evoke old world glamour of yesteryear. Style, charm, and sophistication come to mind when a man checks his pocketwatch -he has all the time in the world.....

Consider a gift certificate to an errand agency. An errand agency provides services such as personal shopping for birthdays and other occasions. They may also provide clothes shopping services, grocery shopping and put-away service, at home waiting for service people (ie. cable or appliance hook-ups), event and ticket shopping, dry-cleaning, laundry, and prescription pick-up, and arranging personal and business travel. Do a quick google search for Errand Services or Errand Agencies in your area to see what your options are. In the Burlington/Oakville area, the Errand Agency of Oakville charges $25.00 per hour with a one hour minimum.

For more great gift ideas visit www.gottagettagift.net.