Bacchanalia is a wild gathering of excessive behavior that includes drinking too much wine.  Actually, the true meaning is a little racier, but we’ve cleaned it up for this post.   So why discuss it at all?  Because Ann’s new gifts depict the grape and overall enjoyment of wine and we know you’ll like them.  And since you’re just looking at wine-related gifts and not actually drinking anything, you can have the fun and still face yourself in the morning.  (And maybe even get a Christmas present bought and squirreled away early.)

If you know someone who enjoys wine, perhaps one of these would make a good gift.  We have new food books, music CD’s, and accessories for your home, all ready for you to enjoy.  Come see them at Ann’s:

New trays from Annie Modica have arrived!  These two have Christmas scenes with Santa hard at work.  Who wouldn’t like cookies and milk served so elegantly?    For more about what makes Annie Modica so special, click here.

New at Ann’s are some quirky and beautiful pieces for the home you can use yourself or give as gifts.  In the category, “for the person who has everything,” Annie Modica decoupaged pieces are artistic as well as functional.  Each is handmade and can be used as well as displayed.   Wouldn’t they look fine in your home?

These Hydrangeas don't make you sneeze, but they're ready when you do! Annie Modice tissue box cover, $162.50

Butterfly tissue box cover, decoupaged, $162.50

Annie Modica decoupaged "Paris" tissue box cover, $162.50

Annie Modica Texas Bar Tray, $290

Annie Modica "Grapes" square tray, $245

Annie Modica is an artist who uses decoupage as her medium.  Keepsake boxes with hinged tops become works of art that are beautiful to display in your home.   Annie and her team in California employ faux finish and a hand-mixed resin sealant to finish these pieces.  Each takes at least 3 weeks to produce and all are made by hand.    Her studio has a “clean” room where the high-gloss finish can be applied and allowed to set without dust and other surface flaws settling in.  Give an unsual piece, made in America, for a unique and thoughtful Christmas present!  Shop now for Christmas at Ann’s.

To see more Annie Modica pieces available at Ann’s, click here.

Special things from the Lone Star State make wonderful, unique wedding gifts.  Here are some of Ann’s Texas customers’ favorite picks: 

A large serving tray from Annie Modica is decoupaged with images from Texas.  These are hand made and highly laquered to be functional as well as decorative pieces.   (More about our Annie Modica here and here.)  

Annie Modica's Texas Serving Tray

 Beautiful crystal is always a good wedding gift…these have etched longhorned steers stampeding around them!  Decanter and glasses sold separately. 

Etched crystal decanter and glasses with Longhorn Steers

 Ice bucket with horn handles would serve well in any home to actually hold ice, cool a bottle of wine, or be displayed: 

Silver ice bucket with horn handles

We’ve posted previously about these wonderful pieces (here).  For the Mom who has everything, why not get her a special Annie Modica serving tray or lazy susan?  Unique images are decoupaged, then highly laquered to make these special and so pretty that she can display it as well as use it.  Here are some ideas:

Annie Modica Underwater World Tray

Annie Modica Bingo Tray

Annie Modica Lazy Susan

Annie Modica Butterflies Tray

Annie Modica Fruits Lazy Susan

We’ve just received this very special Annie Modica butler’s style tray called “Texas, Forever Texas!” Tray, $390.  Size:  21″ x 15″

Annie Modica is an American artist in California.  She produces her decoupage designs in her studio; the wooden foundation of each piece is milled and assembled nearby.  Annie designs all the compositions of her pieces, cutting images from old picture books and anything else that strikes her fancy.  These are reproduced and attached to wooden forms by her company’s workers.  Each one has many layers of glue, paper, and hand painted designs,  then covered with a resin sealant.  Each piece can take about 2 weeks to produce.  The Modica trays and Lazy Susans at Ann’s are a fine example of decoupage with impeccable detail unique to Annie Modica.   All surfaces are resin-sealed, which allows for hand-washing.  These are meant to be used as well as displayed, and can be wiped clean with a soft cloth.

Butler’s style trays are the large serving trays with handles on the sides.  They can be used to carry items to be served or placed on your ottoman or bed to make it a surface for tableware or decorative items.   Ann’s has other Annie Modica pieces.  We continue to enjoy many of the special designs Annie Modica produces; you can, too!  See them at Ann’s Fine Gifts.

Just arrived: Texas Tray from Annie Modica

Update on March 11, 2010:  This tray just sold out.  We re-ordered; leave us a comment if you want an email when the new ones arrive!