Engraved Flutes, Wine Glasses and Tumblers: Choosing Personalised Glassware

Personalised glassware is the gift that joins the party: engraved flutes are raised at the wedding, a tumbler with his initials comes out every evening, a pair of wine glasses marks every anniversary. Here is how to choose the right glass and the right kind of personalisation.

Which glass for which drink?

Crystal or glass?

"Crystal" usually means glass with added minerals that make it clearer, heavier and more brilliant when cut. Traditional lead crystal contains a significant proportion of lead oxide (around a quarter or more in "full lead crystal"), while many modern crystal glasses are lead-free, using other minerals instead. Lead crystal is best kept for occasional use rather than storing drinks for long periods. Ordinary soda-lime glass is tougher and cheaper and engraves perfectly well.

Engraved or printed?

• Sandblasted: a deep frosted etch; the most durable and the most elegant.
• Laser-engraved: a fine frosted mark; permanent, slightly rougher to the touch.
• Printed (ceramic ink or UV): allows colour and photos, but less hard-wearing; hand-wash.
• Hand-painted: charming for one-off designs; usually decorative rather than everyday.

Our guide to how engraving works explains the techniques in more detail.

Champagne for the winner

Champagne and winning go together. Racing's winners' enclosures, grand prix podiums and the casino bars of the Riviera have all made a toast with a flute of fizz the universal sign of a big win. In Monte Carlo, an evening at the Casino de Monte-Carlo traditionally ends with a glass of champagne on the terrace of the Café de Paris or the Hôtel de Paris across the square, win or lose. A pair of engraved flutes with "Monte Carlo" and the date, given before or after a Riviera trip, is the perfect companion to the experience gifts in our Las Vegas and Monte Carlo guide.

A tumbler for the card table

The whisky tumbler, meanwhile, is the unofficial glass of the home poker game: heavy enough not to tip over when someone slams down a full house, wide enough to hold ice. A set of four or six tumblers, each engraved with a player's initials (or poker nickname), makes a great group gift for a regular card night, and a decanter engraved "The House" adds a touch of humour. Pair them with a personalised chip set from our guide to gifts for poker players.

Caring for personalised glassware

Most engraved glass will survive a dishwasher, but repeated cycles can cloud glass over time and printed designs fade; hand-washing in warm water is kinder. Dry with a lint-free cloth. Avoid sudden temperature changes, especially with thin flutes.

Gift ideas at a glance

• Wedding: a pair of flutes with "Mr & Mrs" and the date.
• Anniversary: wine glasses engraved with both names and the year (see anniversary gifts by year; crystal is the 15th).
• Father's Day: a tumbler with initials and a matching coaster.
• Thank-you: a gin glass with "Thank you for everything".

Written by the Ribbon & Tag editors.