Christmas gifts that tickle your senses
(03/11/2008)

Ingrid Ruegemer and Oliver Szasz, Absolute Appetite's designers, have created some perfect gifts for this season, which are practical and stylish at the same time. Whether you are going for the spice shakers, the tumblers or the smoothie cups, they all have one thing in common - they tickle your senses.

The Samba Spice Shakers are inspired by the simple percussion instrument Maracas and they become musical instruments themselves when used as salt & pepper or sugar & cocoa shakers. Each shaker is skilfully handcrafted in fine bone china and simply invites you to play with, and even when not in use, they will still be a real talking point. £46 for the set.

The Boules Tumblers are tactile glasses with a jaunty element, making a bold contemporary statement on any table. Each tumbler is skilfully mouth blown and finished and has delicate hand cut lenses inserted, which perform as tactile points of interest. Their curved and heavy bottoms allow the glasses to rock but prevent them from falling over. A slightly off-centred lens on the base positions the glasses in a playful angle, the glasses appear to be rolling and dancing across the table. £38 for two. Shot glasses are currently being developed to accompany this range.

The Frooty Sensual Smoothie Cups are especially designed for the modern way to consume fruit. But fruit touches more than just the taste buds; eating fruit is a real sensual experience so the Frooty Cups add to that and offer a new tactile drinking experience. When not in use, Frooty can be used as stunning table decorations and are available as a set or as individual cups. Each cup is skilfully hand crafted in fine bone china and cost £18 each/£65 for a set of four.