Form Vs. Function

When giving a gift, we're all concerned about whether it will be used or not. I hate to think that something I have given is just sitting in a bag or on a shelf until the recipient is cleaning out a closet and decides to throw it out.

An easy way to avoid this problem is to buy something that finds the delicate balance between form and function. Between beauty and brains. If something is beautiful but just sits there, it will do just that in the home of the recipient: sit there.

Take the USB Hub Man from Kikkerland:

This little guy sits on your desk and you can connect all your USB enabled devices into him. It really is a useful and sleek USB device and he's so cute too. He'd make a great gift for a college student.

Or check out these Take Out Menu Boxes from Tatutina:

They're such a great idea and make such fun and unique gifts. Everybody has a ton of delivery menus but nowhere to put them. These handmade delivery menu holders are the perfect example of balancing form and function.

A great example of a gift balancing attractiveness and usability is this wall leash hook from A.I. Paper Designs:

I know that as a dog owner, I'm always looking for the leash when it's time to take the dog on a walk. This gives you a useful place to store your leash as well as a really unique and fun piece of art to hang on your wall.