| Sometimes it's hard to find the right gift. If you're | | | | gifts at special times of the year. |
| struggling to get a gift that carries the meaning you | | | | As engraving technologies have advanced, etching has |
| want, - don't despair though. There are tried and tested | | | | become increasingly fashionable and since the 19th |
| ways to spark someone's imagination and offer them | | | | century it has been used to mass produce images for |
| a constant reminder of how much you love them. | | | | printing in books and magazines. To this day some |
| After all, when you're getting someone a gift you want | | | | etching is still used in the printing industry because it is |
| them to feel loved and cherished. Engraved presents | | | | so highly detailed that even modern printers find it hard |
| offer so much, they can capture your imagination, | | | | to compete. Modern technology cannot reproduce |
| deliver a message, sparkle in a display case and also | | | | images at the same high quality and maintain the level |
| be useful. In this article, we'll delve in to the history | | | | of detail which etching can. |
| behind engraved gifts but also look at why and how | | | | In the gift industries, all manner of engraved gifts are |
| they've stood the test of time. | | | | still sold. Some are available with precious, personal |
| Engraved in History | | | | messages on them and others are engraved with |
| For tens of thousands of years people have given | | | | sentimental or pretty designs. |
| each other engraved gifts that deliver meaningful | | | | It's easier today to find elegant and interesting |
| messages of love and respect. Presents have brought | | | | engraved gifts than ever before. And, many items still |
| people together throughout the ages. From the very | | | | have the same level of craftsmanship which would |
| earliest civilisations it's believed that all manner of gifts | | | | have been appreciated in ancient Greece or Rome. |
| were passed between people to show love, respect, | | | | Marvellous Messages |
| admiration and affection. | | | | The real appeal of engraved gifts has to be how |
| Sometimes these were food, tools or clothing, though | | | | personal they can be. The messages which can be |
| often people would also give each other sentimental | | | | cut in to the glass or metal are immortalised. Rather |
| tokens such as jewellery and engraved cups or bowls. | | | | than just being there for one generation, a lot of items |
| In fact, engraved gifts have been a popular gift in | | | | which were engraved in the 1600s (and later) were |
| various cultural ceremonies for millions of years. | | | | fated to become family air looms. |
| Engraved metal artifacts have even been found by | | | | Pocket watches with meaningful inscriptions were |
| archaeologists that date back as early as one million | | | | passed from father to son and engraved wedding |
| years BC. It's believed that these simple rings and cups | | | | bands were passed from grandmother to |
| were turned in to engraved gifts using crude engraving | | | | granddaughter. Because of these traditions engraved |
| tools and presented on special occasions. | | | | gifts have an air of romance and an ageless elegance. |
| What's more, engraving is actually mentioned in the | | | | Present Day |
| Christian bible, with a high priest of Israel wearing a lot | | | | These days there are still traditional times when we |
| of engraved finery (Jer 17:1). In the Middle Ages, | | | | might opt for an engraved gift over all others such as |
| European goldsmiths created beautiful engraved gifts | | | | a silver wedding anniversary. However, they make |
| and items intended for the home. They engraved | | | | great presents all year round. |
| intricate scenes and patterns in to cups, bowls, jugs | | | | Engraved cufflinks with the recipient's initials can be a |
| and vases. | | | | superb gift for a young man or distinguished gent and |
| Then, in Ancient Rome and Greece, engraved gifts | | | | come in useful for weddings and formal arrangements. |
| became even more popular and desirable. They would | | | | Meanwhile, engraved champagne flutes make |
| be commissioned by wealthy Grecians and Romans | | | | fantastic gifts for couples; they can be a brilliant |
| and kept in the home, often on display. | | | | wedding gift for example and can be used year after |
| Precious Etching | | | | year on the happy couples wedding anniversary. |
| Since then engraving has been applied to all kinds of | | | | The messages which people choose to include on |
| items, and industrialised. From picture frames and | | | | engraved gifts are often less grand or more whimsical |
| tankards, to trinket boxes and champagne flutes, there | | | | these days. However, the intention is probably still the |
| are so many items out there which can be useful, | | | | same as it was millions of years ago. |
| attractive and also remind loved ones how much you | | | | Engraved gifts are still just a way to say you love |
| care. Most cultures, the world over, still give engraved | | | | someone. |