Tips Of The Trade: George Kotsiopoulos The Art of the Unexpected Gift

You may know George Kotsiopoulos as a fashion consultant and television personality, but he also happens to be an expert when it comes to eclectic gifting. Tipped off to EBTH by a friend, he now combs the site regularly, thrilled by the hunt for unusual treasures and voyeuristic fun of exploring collections. And when it comes to what he bids on for his own home, George embraces color and anything that makes an impression. “I don’t have a bunch of pieces that are filler, I want everything to be special,” he explains. “I think you can have a lot of little statements everywhere.” When EBTH wanted to host a White Elephant party, we knew George would be the perfect host for selecting wonderful and weird gifts for guests. Want to knock it out of the park with special gifts this year? Here are George’s tips for the art of the unexpected gift.

1. Give Them Something to Talk About

Unusual vintage items that have lived and been loved can be great statement pieces–even if there are no words exchanged. “It’s like getting permission to open a stranger’s medicine cabinet,” George says. “It can be anything that starts a conversation if someone’s at your home, even if all they do is stare and think about how odd it is.”

2. Stay Away From Gifts That Require Sizing

“Know who you are shopping for. If you don’t know someone that well, you don’t give them jewelry.” Gifts that require sizing, he notes, are too tricky to give to someone with whom you don’t have a personal relationship.

3. Give Them A Scarf Instead

Not everyone appreciates the unique and eccentric gifts, but according to George, “Pretty much everyone likes a scarf. At least they can use it…and it helps if it’s Hermes.”

4. Consider the Collector

“Collectors are the easiest people to shop for,” the stylist points out. Buying something vintage they can fit into their collection is a good way to ensure it isn’t something they already own.

5. No Such Thing As Excess Baggage

Vintage suitcases, luggage and steamer trunks make terrific gifts because they’re functional and unique. Use them for storage, décor or furniture. “There are certain staples that work in any situation. Stack a bunch of trunks in a corner and there’s a coffee table!”

6. Such Sweet Heights

Vintage cake stands are having a moment. “That’s something always useful at a party,” says George. I’m obsessed with pedestal platters–you want different kinds of heights when you’re displaying your sweets.”

7. Think Outside the Box

“I like boxes, especially with lids made of beautiful materials, like marble. They’re good if you have space to fill, or for use as décor or storage.

8. Something Top Shelf

“If you can find an older edition of one of their favorite books, I think those just look cool,” says George. Early editions of books tend to be beautiful in general, so even if your recipient isn’t a reader, they can appreciate it sitting on their coffee table.

9. No Harm in Regifting

This goes back to “Always gift something they can use,” even if that means they can give the gift to someone else. “I don’t think you should buy a present for someone knowing that they’re going to regift it. But if you’re on the fence, I have no problem with regifting.”

10. Have A Sense of Humor

Consider your recipient’s career or what they do for a living and try to find something that ties in in a humorous way. For example, in the case of a bench upholstered in blue jeans that George spotted on EBTH.com: “I could just see a stylist using that in their studio or office,” he says. “It’s weird and noticeable, but it also looks kind of current, almost like Maison Margiela.”