Blue Box, White Ribbon

"I regret to inform you that we had a Tiffany casualty," Chef Jodi typed in an instant message. I had given her a set of Tiffany champagne flutes for her birthday in November. Her first Tiffany. My first Tiffany had also been a birthday gift from a friend. I think it's an important tradition to carry on.

"I regret to inform you that they were only $15 a piece," I wrote back. While it is always poor manners to discuss the price of a gift, I continued to explain, "I thought something affordable would make the inevitable casualties easier to bear." She does have a Great Dane in the home.

I feel bad for Tiffany & Company every now and again. People simply assume that it is out of their reach, something they can never have. That's just not the case. Did we not learn anything from Breakfast at Tiffany's? There really is something in nearly every price range.  Though they no longer have the $9 phone dialer, there is quite a selection in the under $100 bracket (but don't let that search fool you; there's more than they show). The hand-blown champagne flute also has $15 friends in the hand-blown martini glass, and two types of wine glasses. There are necklaces, keychains, money clips and more. A little something for everyone.

Jodi was relieved to find out the glasses didn't cost and arm and a leg. Then, slyly, she shared, "I love saying 'I have Tiffany glasses.' What a great gift. Thank you." It was sincerely my pleasure.

Like I said, I believe everyone deserves a blue box with white ribbon at least once. It's never the price that counts, always the thought. But, what a treat it is when one spies that iconic wrapping, so simple, chic and elegant...and, surprisingly, within reach.