Five Golden Gifts: The Gift of Sentiment + Win A Limited Edition Alex & Ani Bracelet

Jewellery is not a unique gift idea, I am aware. However, I do think that it can be a really powerful gift if thought is put into it. It is something that the person receiving it will likely keep and wear frequently for the rest of their lives. There is also something in the fact that they wear it, keep it against their skin, carry it around, that makes it a really intimate gift. If you give them the right piece, you are essentially giving them your feelings and allowing them to hold your sentiments close.

I'm not personally a big jewellery wearer, I don't really like the sensation of it against my skin, but there are many pieces that I have received over the years and hold very dear: the lovely silver pendant my mother gave me for my 16th birthday, the gold bangle with my name inscribed on it that my godmother gave me when I was born, the gold locket my mother gave me on my Confirmation day.

And some of the gifts that I have given and have most proud of have been pieces of jewellery such as one of my best friends' Christmas present last year. We were going to be separated for a year while she went to work in Hong Kong so I bought her a simple heart-shaped necklace and had in engraved with a message. Small and simple, it could be easily brought and packed, easily worn and could stay with her as a constant reminder that, even if she felt very homesick, I was with her and missing her too.

In my personal opinion, it is not the most expensive jewellery that makes for the best gifts, it's the pieces with the most heartfelt messages attached. So, how do you figure out how to tug on the heartstrings in the right way? I've compiled a list of questions to help you come up with a theme for the piece and then your understanding of your own budget, the tastes of the person in mind and practical considerations (such as whether they have their ears pierced, have active lives that make wearing long or dangling pieces difficult, dislike wearing certain types of jewellery etc) will help narrow down the potential list of candidates.

1. Do you have pet names for each other?
(For example, even if you just happen to call the person "dear" a lot, you could buy something with a deer on it.)

2. Do you have a memory of a moment together that you hold particularly dear?
(That one time you had too much wine and ended up staying up all night talking? Bonding over a mutual love for Bowie when you first met?)

3. Do you have an in-joke that no one else knows about?

4. Is you the person a mega-fan of any brands?
(Particularly luxury brands. Chanel offers some costume jewellery pieces that are, by no means, inexpensive but are much more affordable than anything else from the label. If someone loves a particular brand, just seeing the box will make their face light up with joy.)

5. Did you meet somewhere specific? Have you ever gone on a trip together that changed your relationship? Have you been dreaming of going somewhere together?

Which brings me on to today's giveaway. It's a piece from Alex & Ani's Liberty Copper Collection, available in Ireland from the Kilkenny Design Centre. I talked about this collection upon its launch and it is a very limited line of jewellery that features recycled copper from one of New York's most famous landmarks; the Statue of Liberty. It is, therefore, the perfect gift for someone you share important memories of New York with or plan to travel there with. It would even be a great little gift to announce to someone that you are bringing them to New York as the main gift!

If you want to win this piece, just read on and be sure to come back over the next few days for more amazing prizes!

1. This giveaway is, sadly, only open to entrants located in Ireland, who are over 18 years of age.

2. The prize is one Kindred Cord bracelet from the Alex & Ani Liberty Copper Collection.
3. All you need to do is comment below here or on Facebook with who you'd give it to - or if you want it for yourself! However, you must be following me on at least one platform (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Google Friend Connect, Bloglovin', Tumblr). Let me know which one in the comment if it's not obvious!

4. Competition closes a week from now on the 9th of December 2016 at midnight Irish time.

5. Winners will be chosen at random.

6. I will then comment below the winner's comment and ask you to email my official blog email address.

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