Something Old Is Something New... And Green

June 12, 2010 - PRLog -- If you’re in the market for a unique, classy and environmentally responsible gift for those soon-to-be-newly-weds on your summer wedding list, think “Antiques”.

Antiques have a number of advantages when compared to buying newly manufactured gifts:

Character: Regardless of whether you’re looking at antique china, sterling silver or furniture, antiques eminate character and class. Antiques were made by skilled craftspeople to stand the test of time.

Uniqueness: Even antiques that were made after the Industrial Revolution of the late 19th Century are not as common as their modern counterparts. There’s a certain flair to having items that other people are unlikely to own.

Quality: Antiques come from a time when items were built to be used and to last. Quality was part of the design, as people were judicious with their material possessions.

Price: Many antiques are actually considerably less expensive than their newly-manufactured counterparts. If you’re looking for a new home for your Grandmother’s china - you can’t beat that price!

Environmentally Responsible: Quality by design was an ethic that we are rediscovering. As we become more environmentally conscious as a society, we will increasingly look for consumer items of quality that are built to last. Antiques are goods that have long-since paid for their environmental footprint.

When giving antiques as gifts, make sure you also give the recipient(s) permission to use their new antiques everyday. Antiques benefit from being used, and regular use makes ongoing maintenance considerably easier. You wouldn’t leave a car stored in a garage for long periods of time and then expect it to work! The same holds true with antiques.

Your local antique dealers can help you find the perfect gifts for newlyweds on your list, and advise you on the best care and maintenance instructions. If you haven’t met the antique dealers in your area, make a commitment to visit a new shop and ask for advice on unique, classy and environmentally responsible gift ideas.

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VanIsleAntiques.com is your 24/7 online guide to antique shops, appriasers and events on Vancouver Island. Sign up for the quarterly “Antiquing Insider” newsletter for more tips and articles on antiques.