Our first stop on our great gifts journey is at Russell Rhodes Christmas. Russell Rhodes began his career designing the accessories for intricate stage sets for Broadway theater. Soon, New York socialites hired him to deck the halls in their pricey highrise mansions. Spending incredible sums, his early clients created Christmas wonderlands complete with a motorized 6-foot Santa, snowmen village scenes, and little elves who whistled while they worked. Each of these magnificant creations was glittered with a smattering of a special Christmas ornament, designed and manufactured exclusively for the well-healed client.
The demand for Russell Rhodes Christmas designs, encouraged Russell to form close relationships with factories and artisans who specialized in Christmas decorations. Some of these same factories and artisan groups would later support such other famous designers like Radko and Fitz & Floyd. The original work usually involved a great deal of hand crafted ornament work with glitter, blown glass, and delicate bead work.
Today, Russell Rhodes Christmas specializes in Christmas ornaments, personalized ornament designs, and glass ornaments. The primary focus since 2007 has been personalized Christmas ornaments. A quick perusal of this year selections offers just over 1700 unique ornaments for all occasions and gift giving needs. Options run from engagement, anniversary and wedding ornaments, to baby's first Christmas ornament designs. Then move into family ornament offerings from couples ornaments to large family ornaments of 16 and more. There are also grandparents gifts which feature all the grand kids on Christmas ornaments. Leaving the family, the gifts range from designs for dogs, pets, kids, new home and many other life event Christmas gifts.
One of the specialties offered on the website is that every ornament has a great deal of personalized options. Beyond just a recipient's name and the year, you can choose a custom sentiment to specially mark the occasion. You can also add a little note on the personalized ornament like, "From Mimi and Papa, With Love".
Overall, the selection of Christmas items at Russell Rhodes is extensive and yet easy to shop. All designs are laid out in neat, alphabetized categories so that within about a minute, you can have a complete overview of what's there and can be easily zeroed in on. The site is consequently a pleasure to shop to find the most esoterically themed item quickly. Russell Rhodes Christmas decorations are usually classically styled so that they never look dated, and can truly become a valued family heirloom.
For more information on Russell Rhodes design background, historical samples of his work, and custom Christmas accessories, drop by www.russellrhodes.com for all of your Christmas gift giving needs.
