A gift is a good gift when it shows that you care enough for someone to give the person something that is just right for that person. It shows that you really know the gift recipient, that person's interests and hobbies, for example.

The serve ware from Arthur Court is excellent giftware because they serve a useful and universal function and do it in style. You can just focus on the theme that will appeal to the recipient.

The Arthur Court server ware range is tailored to different interests - with themes from nature, animals, lifestyle and seasons. So are the decorative items and religious symbols.

The products are also prestigious items that have the appearance of sterling silver ware (with far less trouble to maintain in a lustrous condition). They are made of cast aluminum hand polished to a brilliant luster.

More importantly, all items incorporate tasteful designs because a professional designer and an art specialist design them. Arthur Court worked for design and decoration firms for eighteen years before starting his business. Elena Court, his wife, studied Oriental art history and Modern art, and is now a part of the product development team.

The designs are derived from their vast collection of minerals and man-made artifacts. They travel all over the world and add to this collection.

Let us look at a few samples of the giftware to get a clearer idea of the possibilities. We look first at a few of the "collections" and then at some specific items. The company offers over 500 designs, and the sampling below is just that, a small sample.

The American Traditional series include casseroles, trays, salad sets, trivets, American traditional granite and chip & dip servers. The most striking feature of these products is their stunning designs and brilliant luster.

Della Robia series offers salad bowls, cheese/cracker sets, chip & dip servers and a pitcher worked with amazingly intricate patterns.

The Dragonfly series range from an intricate sweetener holder with dragonflies all round to a simple square plate with a dragonfly embossed in one corner.

The Longhorn features the American Buffalo and the range includes salt & pepper set, fruit bowl stand with a transparent acrylic bowl and an oblong tray, among other items.

Now we look at some specific items.

The Cowboy Boot Pitcher - Star - http://www.madelineashley.com/photos/AC10-2456-2.jpg - can hold a champagne bottle and is decorated with intricate patterns.

The Grape Shallow Centerpiece Tray - http://www.madelineashley.com/photos/AC10-2602-2.jpg - is adorned with grapes and grapevine leaves patterns around the edges. You would marvel at the authenticity with which the images have been created.

The American Traditional Salad Set, with its simple look - http://www.madelineashley.com/photos/AC10-9202-2.jpg - would appeal to traditionalists (and others with an aesthetic taste).

The Shell 7" Dish is a wonderful creation belonging to the Water Collection - http://www.madelineashley.com/photos/AC10-2568-2.jpg - made with exquisite hand buffed aluminum. It would be a superb gift sure to impress any recipient.

The list above would give some idea of gift possibilities provided by the giftware offered by Arthur Court. Arthur Court does not sell direct to final consumers but offers the range through department stores, specialty gift stores and online retailers.

About the Author

Daniel Cheng operates Madeline Ashley an exclusive dealer for Arthur Court, Wilton Armetale Serveware and Giftware. Visit http://www.madelineashley.com/ for entier collection of Arthur Court design, Wilton Armetale.