We started Handpicked to give people a trusted source of unusual and inspiring gift ideas. There’s nothing more satisfying than seeing a present well received and it’s our mission to make that simple. Our Expert Panel make sure we stay on track but we hope, with our blog, we’ll hear more from you too. Comment away!

Our buying team have trying to track down all the loveliest souvenirs with which to celebrate Queen Elizabeth’s Diamond Jubilee. Our favourite so far is this gorgeous jug by Jan Constantine. See all our ideas here.

Handpicked Wedding Gifts

Wedding season seems to have been really amplified this year. We loved seeing the photos from Kate Moss’s three day wedding party. From the Galliano, vintage-inspired dress, the McCartney-clad bridesmaids and the fantastic rumours flying around (our favourite: that Moss had hired naked muscle men sporting tattoos of the happy couple’s faces to welcome the guests), it really did sound like a night to remember.

Lily Allen, a few weeks before, made it on the front page of The Sunday Times and topped off her wedding day glow by showing off her baby bump under her (also vintage lace) dress created by Delphine Manivet.

Carelessly, Royal Mail lost our invitations to both of these events, but we’ve been speculating from the Handpicked range of wedding gifts; what is the perfect wedding present?

Proving to be a Handpicked favourite from our new summer collection, is our Personalised Olivewood Bread & Chopping Board. Our designers can carve whatever word you would like into the pretty marbled olive wood. Last names and house names have proved popular so far. The rectangular Olivewood Bread and Chopping Board measures 15cm by 30cm. It comes in a gift bag, wrapped in some pretty tissue and grosgrain ribbon.

A long-standing preferred choice from our Wedding Presents section is our Silver-Plated Ice Buckets. Our silver Ice Buckets are made of hammered silver plate so are practically indestructible. The hardy leather strap will make easy work of trips to the garden for outside parties and will wear well with use. Our Silver-Plated Ice Bucket’s good looks will add glamorous sparkle to a dining table. Please note that the tongs are not included, it does come in a smart gift box.