The Maison Soirée Philosophy on Personal Gifting
At Maison Soirée, we don’t believe in “nice gifts.”
We believe in the gift — the one that makes someone gasp, laugh, tear up, or fall silent because you somehow found a way to capture their soul in an object.
We approach gifting as an art form — one that requires instinct, curiosity, and emotional fluency. A great gift doesn’t just say thank you, I love you, or I’m sorry. It says I see you. I know you. And no one else could’ve given you this.
Every Maison Soirée creation begins with a conversation, not a catalog. We ask questions — lots of them — because the answers hide in the details: the scent they wore when they fell in love, the song that plays when they can’t sleep, the color that makes them feel most like themselves. Those are our building blocks.
From there, we craft gifts that are equal parts story and surprise — a letter written in a loved one’s handwriting on porcelain, a custom artwork made from fragments of their life, or a reimagined heirloom that bridges generations. Each one is designed to feel effortless, but meticulously considered.
Our rule is simple: nothing should ever feel store-bought — it should feel made for them. The packaging is beautiful, yes, but it’s the meaning inside that does the heavy lifting.
Personal gifting speaks to the heart — it celebrates emotion, memory, and connection. Corporate gifting speaks to relationships — it celebrates gratitude, loyalty, and shared success. Both are grounded in thoughtfulness, storytelling, and the belief that the right gift can create lasting impact.
Maison Soirée gifts don’t just check boxes. They open hearts.
They’re not about things — they’re about people.
Because when you give someone something that could only ever belong to them, you’re not just giving a gift.
You’re giving them a moment they’ll never forget — and that’s where the real luxury lives.
The projects featured here represent just a glimpse into the gifts and experiences our clients have graciously allowed us to share. Many of our most extraordinary commissions remain private out of respect for confidentiality — but we’re always delighted to discuss them in person. After all, the best stories are often the ones told, not shown.
The Family Atlas of Memories
One family came to us searching for a way to thank another family who had become not just friends, but chosen relatives. They wanted a gift that could never be replicated — a legacy object.
We created The Family Atlas of Memories, a leather-bound heirloom book where every “map” charted not countries, but their shared story. Hand-illustrated in old-world cartography style, the atlas featured the villa where they vacationed together, the street where their kids first met, the restaurant where they toasted milestones. Tiny illustrations marked inside jokes — a martini glass for a legendary night, a firework for a July 4th memory.
Hidden within were treasure pockets holding letters, photographs, and keepsakes from both families, making the atlas not just art, but a time capsule.
Presented in a bespoke velvet-lined case, embossed with their names under the title “Where Our Worlds Meet,” it was a tear-filled moment of unveiling — proof that a family’s journey deserves to be mapped with the same reverence as any continent.
Picasso Brought to Life
A client came to us with an unusual but thrilling challenge: her husband adored Picasso’s ceramics, and she wanted to give him a gift that would match that passion in both artistry and originality.
We turned again to Steve Casino, who painstakingly recreated one of Picasso’s ceramics from scratch — down to the smallest detail. Then, in a bold twist, he broke it apart to reveal Picasso himself popping out of it in three-dimensional form.
The result was a true show-stopper. When placed beside the original ceramic, the illusion was so convincing that guests initially thought the priceless piece had been destroyed. The couple had to assure them — no Picassos were harmed in the making of this gift!
Today, it sits proudly next to the original in their home, not only as a jaw-dropping work of art but also as the ultimate conversation piece.
We are incredibly proud of this creation — proof that sometimes the best gifts don’t just honor art, they reimagine
The Sandcastles of Sobriety
Their first date was simple — building sandcastles on the beach. Years later, after weathering life’s storms and navigating the journey of recovery, he wanted to honor his wife — the woman who stood beside him through it all — on their wedding anniversary.
The challenge: how to blend the innocence of that first day with the depth of what they had overcome together. The answer came in the form of art — a custom movable sculpture depicting the two of them building sandcastles inside an open AA Big Book. Each grain of sand and tiny sculpted wave carried meaning: love rebuilt, hope restored, and life reimagined.
When he saw the finished piece, he said, “These two things saved my life — her and the program.”
We were deeply honored to be part of such a profoundly personal creation — a gift that wasn’t just art, but a tangible reminder that redemption, like sandcastles, is made possible by patience, love, and a willingness to rebuild.
The Art of You
Trying to top a gift for Alan and Vivien Hassenfeld — a couple with impeccable taste and the ability to buy anything — required at least a year of planning and tremendous creativity. I spent months researching ideas, keeping their shared love of art at the forefront and Alan’s collection of vintage pipes always in mind.
This year I again leaned into art.
A portrait doesn’t just capture a face — it captures a soul. So we asked: what if history’s greatest artists had painted you?
We created The Art of You, a bespoke hardcover book that reimagines one person through the eyes of the world’s most iconic masters — Da Vinci, Raphael, Vermeer, Hokusai, Seurat, Van Gogh, Munch, Matisse, Modigliani, Schiele, Picasso, and Warhol.
Each page transforms the recipient into a new artistic vision — from Renaissance light to pop-art brilliance — creating a breathtaking visual biography that blurs the line between reality and imagination.
A truly one-of-a-kind gift for those who inspire art simply by being who they are.
Alan gave me the greatest compliment:
“a thank you for what Vivien and I truly consider one of the most unique and creative gifts ever..the book other than being one of a kind..is beautiful and brilliant and may be truly the best gift we’ve ever received..thank you so much..with love Alan”
Former Chairman & CEO of Hasbro Inc & Godfather to Samantha Martin
The Song of Us
A song has the power to hold a memory, a feeling, a declaration of love — and play it back forever. One client came to us wanting a gift that went beyond flowers and jewelry, something that could say the words they couldn’t quite find.
We turned to Songfinch, pairing them with a songwriter whose style matched the moment. We provided the stories, the words of meaning, the inside jokes and the memories that mattered most. The result: a one-of-a-kind song, professionally recorded, that became a keepsake more powerful than any object.
We’ve since created these custom songs for birthdays, anniversaries, milestones, and just-because moments — each one a soundtrack to a love story, a family bond, or a lifelong friendship.
Because at Maison Soirée, we believe the most unforgettable gifts aren’t only seen — they’re heard, and replayed for years to come.
The Warhol & Kusama Pop-Up
When a client wanted to gift something unforgettable to a modern art collector — someone who adored both Andy Warhol and Yayoi Kusama — we knew this couldn’t be just another framed print or coffee table book. It had to pop. Literally.
We collaborated with sculptor Steve Casino to create The Warhol & Kusama Pop-Up — a one-of-a-kind kinetic sculpture featuring miniature, hand-painted versions of the two legendary artists. With a gentle twist, the piece winds up and pops open, revealing Warhol holding a Campbell’s soup can as Kusama bursts from behind in a sea of red polka dots.
Part art, part humor, part pure genius — it instantly became a centerpiece in the recipient’s collection.
Because at Maison Soirée, when it comes to gifting, we don’t just think outside the box — we make the box pop open and smile back at you.
The Stained Glass Love Story
During their 12th year of marriage, a couple suffered a painful setback that nearly broke them apart. The husband, desperate to repair what felt irreparable, came to me for a gift that would say what words could not: that not everything broken is lost forever.
I envisioned shattered glass — pieces scattered and sharp, impossible to put back the way they once were. But with a stained-glass artist, we transformed those fragments into something new: a luminous panel spelling out the word LOVE. The fractured edges caught the light, each crack now a vein of color, proof that even damage can become beautiful when pieced together with care.
It was delivered with a simple card that read:
“Even the things that seem shattered beyond repair can be reimagined into something stronger, more beautiful, and everlasting.”
They just celebrated 22 years of marriage. The gift still hangs in their home, a daily reminder that brokenness doesn’t have to be the end of a story — sometimes, it’s the beginning of a masterpiece.
The Rejection Letter Quilt
A client wanted a gift for his best friend , a writer who had endured her share of rejection letters. Instead of letting them gather dust, we turned them into something extraordinary.
We designed The Rejection Letter Quilt — a patchwork wall-hanging stitched from fabric squares printed with snippets of her rejections, intertwined with quotes of encouragement.
One square stood out, boldly embroidered with the words: “Plot Twist: You Win.”
The result was part art piece, part battle armor — a tangible reminder that every “no” is simply a step toward the final, resounding “yes.”
The Symphony of Us
For a milestone anniversary, one family asked us to help them give a gift so unique, so heartfelt, it could never be purchased. We answered with music.
We commissioned The Symphony of Us, a full orchestral piece composed from interviews, anecdotes, and memories. Each movement told part of their story: a joyful swell to capture summers spent traveling, a delicate piano interlude for quiet traditions, a bold brass crescendo for the milestones they’d conquered together.
The handwritten score was bound into a fine-art book, with calligraphed dedications and notes explaining each movement’s inspiration. The piece was recorded in studio by a live orchestra, then presented in a handcrafted lacquered box with a crystal USB and limited-press vinyl.
When the families gathered for dinner, the symphony debuted — their shared life, set to music. There wasn’t a dry eye in the room.
Because at Maison Soirée, we don’t just create gifts. We compose legacies
A Season of Her Own: Live Like a Duchess
for the Weekend
When our client wanted to surprise his wife — a devoted lover of Bridgerton, The Crown, and Outlander — with a gift that felt like stepping into another century, Maison Soirée designed an experience unlike any other:
an immersive weekend where she would live as a Duchess.
We found the perfect estate — a private, 17th-century manor complete with rose gardens, grand halls, and sweeping staircases worthy of a royal entrance. From there, every moment was orchestrated to transport her through time.
The Transformation
We began with a private fitting led by period stylists and couture costumers, who designed a custom silk gown inspired by Regency and Georgian fashion. Hand-embroidered gloves, a tiara loaned from a London jeweler, and custom-dyed slippers completed the ensemble. Her “ladies-in-waiting” — professional stylists in full period dress — attended to her every detail.
A portrait artist was commissioned to capture her likeness in oil during the weekend, while a calligrapher prepared her personal “Crest of the House,” gilded in gold leaf and sealed with her initials.
The Setting
The house came alive with a cast of characters — a butler, footmen, and maids trained in the etiquette of the era. A chamber orchestra rehearsed waltzes in the grand ballroom. The scent of jasmine and oakmoss — her custom-blended perfume — perfumed the corridors.
By day, she attended etiquette lessons, tea service, and sketching sessions with an artist flown in from Paris. By evening, she strolled the gardens by lantern light before dressing for The Ball.
The Grand Ball
On the final night, she made her entrance down the marble staircase to the strains of an original waltz composed and named in her honor. Guests in costume joined her for dinner and dancing beneath candlelit chandeliers, as a dance master guided the floor through a series of Regency quadrilles.
Between courses, a poet performed a commissioned sonnet dedicated to “Her Grace of the Evening.”
The Legacy
Before departure, she received a velvet-lined travel trunk containing:
Her gown, gloves, and tiara.
Her portrait in its gilded frame.
A bound Journal of the Season — filled with calligraphed notes, pressed flowers from the estate gardens, and the evening’s “Order of the Ball.”
A crystal vial of her bespoke fragrance.
Engraved inside the trunk:
“Every era adored you.”
How Maison Soirée Did It
We sourced the manor, the stylists, the artists, and the musicians.
We rented the jewels, commissioned the portraits, and rehearsed the orchestra.
We hired the household staff, choreographed the dances, and ensured every detail — from the etiquette coach to the embroidered napkins — reflected the grace of a bygone age.
It wasn’t a weekend away.
It was a world built for her — a love letter written in silk, candlelight, and time.
The Picasso Pull Toy
For a family member who collects Picasso and works in the toy industry, buying an original Picasso wasn’t an option (and frankly, too predictable).
So instead, I commissioned artist Steve Casino to create a pull-along toy featuring two Picasso-style portraits — one on each side.
The result was a playful collision of fine art and childhood nostalgia, hand-crafted and completely one-of-a-kind. It sat proudly beside his actual Picassos — proof that creativity always trumps price tags.
The Heirloom Archive: A Love Letter in Leather
When a husband wanted to honor his wife’s lifelong passion for vintage handbags, we created The Heirloom Archive — a love story told through craftsmanship, history, and art.
We began by sourcing a curated selection of rare vintage handbags, each professionally restored and photographed like a museum piece. The result was a custom leather-bound book documenting her personal archive — every page pairing exquisite imagery with handwritten notes, history, and moments that made each era unforgettable.
The centerpiece: a velvet-lined trunk housing her restored collection, alongside a single reimagined masterpiece — a vintage Hermès Kelly hand-painted with a portrait of her, framed by gilded lettering that read:
“Every era adored you.”
Hidden drawers revealed small, intimate details — white gloves, her favorite fragrance, and a plaque engraved:
“You collect beauty. I just collect you.”
Because at Maison Soirée, we don’t give gifts.
We create love stories you can hold.
The Covid Chronicles Book
During the height of Covid, one woman found her sanity in humor, chronicling the absurdities of lockdown life in a weekly email she called The Covid Chronicles. Every week her family waited eagerly for her updates — her sarcastic observations, her day-to-day routines, her witty take on life when the world felt upside down.
When her 50th birthday approached, her brother came to me with a brilliant idea: turn those emails into something permanent. We curated every installment, designed a full layout, added photos and illustrations, and transformed her words into a beautifully bound book.
He presented it to her on her milestone birthday — and the reaction was so overwhelming that the entire family received copies. What began as a coping mechanism became a keepsake, a humorous and heartfelt time capsule of an emotionally trying year.
Sometimes the best gifts aren’t things at all — they’re the memories, preserved and reimagined, that remind us of our resilience.
The Home Portrait Storybook
When a client wanted to honor the story of where their family had been — not just who they were — we created The Home Portrait Storybook.
Each page featured a hand-painted watercolor of the homes that shaped their lives: the first tiny apartment, the childhood backyard, the forever home where everyone still gathers. Beneath each painting, handwritten captions shared family memories — laughter, chaos, milestones, and moments that defined them.
Bound in linen and wrapped in sentiment, this book became more than a gift — it became an illustrated memoir of family roots and the places that built them.
Each page includes a “soundbite” — QR codes linking to voice notes describing memories from that home.
Because at Maison Soirée, we believe every home tells a story — and some are worth painting.
The Potato Head Russian Dolls
As the former CEO of Hasbro, Alan Hassenfeld’s favorite character was, unsurprisingly, Mr. Potato Head. So when it came time to create a Christmas gift worthy of the man behind one of the world’s most iconic toys, I knew it had to be whimsical, unexpected, and deeply personal.
My research revealed something delightful — not only were there Mr. and Mrs. Potato Head, but an entire forgotten cast of produce pals from the original line: Pete the Pepper, Katie the Carrot, and Cooky the Cucumber, to name a few.
With the help of artist Steve Casino, we brought them all back to life in the most imaginative way: a custom set of Russian nesting dolls. Each layer revealed another classic character — a nostalgic nod to toy history and Alan’s lifelong legacy of play.
The final result? A conversation piece, a collector’s treasure, and a perfectly “Alan” mix of humor, heritage, and heart.
Proof that even a potato can be reimagined into art — when it’s done with love, laughter, and a little history.
The Party Blueprint
A client’s best friend was the ultimate host — the kind of person who threw themed dinners and turned ordinary nights into legendary memories. For her birthday, she wanted to create something that celebrated her gift for gatherings.
We commissioned The Party Blueprint: a framed piece of art styled like an architect’s sketch, complete with diagrams of champagne towers, table layouts, and witty annotations like “Confetti cannon here.”
To accompany it, we designed a deck of Maison Soirée Party Prompt Cards — cheeky conversation starters and outrageous dares that instantly livened any room.
It was a gift that didn’t just decorate her walls — it fueled her next unforgettable soirée.
Every Cork Tells a Story
A client came to us searching for a hostess gift that would feel both personal and timeless. Instead of another bottle of wine, we created Every Cork Tells a Story — a glass keepsake box designed to collect corks from each celebration.
Etched on the front with the words “Every Cork Tells a Story,” the box transforms the simple act of opening a bottle into a memory worth saving. Over time, it becomes a living scrapbook of dinners, parties, and milestones, each cork carrying its own moment in history.
Stylish enough to display on any bar cart or countertop, it’s both décor and storytelling piece — proof that some of the best memories are uncorked one glass at a time.
The Book Nook Escape
A husband approached us with a special request for his wife — a voracious reader who always dreamed of traveling but rarely made time for herself. He wanted her to have a way to escape without leaving home.
We created a custom “book nook” — a miniature diorama that slid into her bookshelf. It was styled as her dream hideaway: a Parisian café complete with tiny tables, golden streetlamps, and rows of books along the walls. Hidden inside was her favorite quote, engraved on the café’s back wall.
It became her favorite piece on the shelf — proof that the best adventures begin between the covers.
The Legacy of a Czar
When Jennifer DeMarchi, founder of the Facebook group PR & Marketing Czars, passed away, the outpouring of love was immediate — and immense. Thousands of posts, stories, and messages flooded social media, each one a testament to how many lives she had touched. But as time passed, I realized something heartbreaking: those words — those digital tributes — would eventually fade away.
Knowing her family and friends were grieving, I decided to preserve her legacy in a way that would last. I gathered as many of those comments as I could, along with photos and memories from her community. The result was a beautifully bound memorial book — a collection of words, faces, and gratitude from an entire industry.
Copies were gifted to her husband, her best friend, and her family — a tangible reminder of how deeply she was loved, long after the posts disappeared and the algorithms moved on.
It was my gift of love and respect for a woman who gave so much to public relations — proof that true influence isn’t measured in followers, but in hearts forever changed.
Caviar & Champagne — The Ornament Collection
When a client hosting a spectacular holiday soirée asked for guest favors as unforgettable as the evening itself, we turned luxury into legacy.
That night, fountains of champagne sparkled beside bowls overflowing with caviar — and to capture the indulgence in lasting form, we commissioned Silk Road Bazaar, a collective of talented female artisans from the mountain villages of Kyrgyzstan, to handcraft over 300 sets of custom caviar and champagne ornaments.
While maison Soiree created the design, every one was meticulously made from felt and embroidery, transforming symbols of celebration into keepsakes with purpose. Beyond their beauty, this collaboration empowered women, reduced global poverty, and supported fair-trade artistry — ensuring every ornament told a story of joy that extended far beyond the party.
Because at Maison Soirée, even the most glamorous nights can make the world a little brighter.
We continue to work with these women and are proud of the changes our purchases have made to their lives.
The Felt Chanel No. 5
When a client asked us to design a party favor inspired by her favorite perfume — Chanel No. 5 — we didn’t just think fragrance. We thought fashion meets wit.
We created 500 miniature Chanel No. 5 bottles made entirely of felt, hand-cut, stitched, and detailed to perfectly resemble the iconic perfume silhouette. Each was placed in a parting bag alongside a travel-size bottle of the real thing — a luxurious wink to the scent that started it all.
The result? Guests adored them. The felt replicas became collectibles in their own right — soft, timeless, and surprisingly long-lasting (far outliving their glass counterparts).
Since that night, we’ve been commissioned to create countless variations — from Jo Malone to Chloe — each one a nod to Maison Soirée’s belief that even the smallest details should make a lasting impression.
Because at Maison Soirée, we don’t just recreate icons — we reimagine them
Picasso, Painted by Picasso (on a Peanut)
Proof that genius really does come in small shells.
Another collaboration with the incomparable Steve Casino, the artist who can turn a single peanut into a masterpiece. For this commission, we wanted to surprise an art collector with something so unexpected, so delightfully absurd, it could only have been dreamed up by Maison Soirée.
The result? A Picasso painting a Picasso — made entirely from two peanuts.
Every microscopic detail, from the brush in his hand to the signature on the easel, was hand-sculpted and painted with the precision of a jeweler and the humor of a genius.
It was an instant favorite — a tongue-in-cheek homage to one of the world’s greatest artists, now immortalized in the humblest of mediums. The recipient was overjoyed… and honestly, so were we.
The Peanut Kusama
Some art takes up entire museum wings. Others fit in the palm of your hand.
A client with a deep admiration for Yayoi Kusama wanted something truly unique — a small piece that captured her signature playfulness and obsession with dots. We turned once again to artist Steve Casino, who transformed a single peanut into a miniature homage to Kusama herself, complete with her iconic bob haircut and vibrant polka dots.
The result was nothing short of astonishing — a pocket-sized sculpture bursting with color, humor, and joy. The client was over the moon; we were, quite frankly, speechless.
At Maison Soirée, we believe art doesn’t have to be big to be meaningful. Sometimes, it just needs to make you smile.
The Intertwined Names
Some love stories deserve more than a monogram — they deserve an identity of their own.
A client approached us wanting to surprise his partner with something deeply personal — a shared symbol that represented both of them, but in a way no one else would recognize.
We created The Intertwined Names — a custom logo seamlessly blending their two names into one elegant, abstract design. It was modern, discreet, and meaningful — only the couple knew what it truly said.
The emblem was engraved into a delicate gold pendant and also transformed into matching tattoos, now etched permanently on each of their wrists.
What began as a hidden symbol of love has become their shared mark — a quiet, powerful reminder that their names, and their lives, are forever linked.
Because at Maison Soirée, love stories aren’t told — they’re designed.
The Pastel Platoon
Because who says toughness can’t come in pink?
For a girl who grew up idolizing GI Joe, we wanted to create something that honored her inner warrior — but with a Maison Soirée twist.
We took her childhood heroes — the classic GI Joe figures — and reimagined them in soft pastel hues. Each one was carefully spray-painted in delicate tones of blush, mint, and powder blue, then artfully arranged and mounted within a shadowbox frame.
The result was a striking piece of pop art — bold, feminine, and unapologetically original. What was once a collection of rugged action figures became a statement on strength and style, proving that power and beauty can coexist perfectly — especially when painted in pastels.
ARTIST PEG PEOPLE PARTY FAVORS
Because every little artist deserves their first masterpiece.
For one of our favorite young art lovers, we wanted a stocking stuffer that felt special — something that celebrated creativity, curiosity, and the beauty of imperfection. So, we commissioned a series of handmade wooden peg dolls, each one individually painted to resemble a tiny artist.
Every doll was created by hand — no two alike — with subtle variations that make each piece as unique as the child receiving it. Made from solid wood, painted with non-toxic acrylics, and sealed with a child-safe water-based finish, they’re meant not to sit on a shelf, but to be played with, admired, and passed down.
The result? A small, heartfelt keepsake that introduces the joy of craftsmanship, celebrates individuality, and reminds every young creator that art isn’t about perfection — it’s about play, imagination and education!
The Handwritten Heirloom Collection
Love letters. Family recipes. A note to Santa. Words scribbled on napkins or tucked inside lunchboxes — these are the moments that matter most.
We created The Handwritten Heirloom Collection to preserve those memories in a way that lasts forever. Each piece — whether a ceramic plate, tray, cup, or platter — is custom printed with the handwriting or words of someone special. From a parent’s recipe card to a child’s note, every detail is faithfully captured, exactly as it was written.
For many of our clients, these gifts have become cherished keepsakes — a way to hold on to love, laughter, and legacy.
Because at Maison Soirée, we believe the most beautiful words aren’t written by poets — they’re written by the people we love.
The Frida Beside Frida
One client was deeply inspired by Frida Kahlo — her art, her strength, her unapologetic spirit. But owning an original Frida was out of reach, so I decided to bring her essence to life in another way.
With artist Steve Casino, we created a one-of-a-kind wooden sculpture of Frida, painted in the bold, vibrant colors she was known for. Every brushstroke captured her energy — the flowers, the gaze, the defiant beauty that made her iconic.
When my client received it, she said it felt like having a piece of Frida’s soul in her home. Years later, she was finally able to purchase a genuine Frida Kahlo artwork — and still, this handcrafted version sits proudly beside it.
Because sometimes the first dream version of something — made with love, imagination, and intention — becomes just as priceless as the original.
The Dachshund & Diet Coke
Some gifts are sweet, some are funny — and some are just so them that they defy logic entirely.
A client came to us with an impossible challenge: combine two of their friend’s greatest loves — a dachshund and Diet Coke — into one unforgettable piece of art.
Challenge accepted.
Working with a sculptor, we designed a custom piece that fused the two seamlessly — a perfectly detailed dachshund cleverly intertwined with an iconic silver Diet Coke can. The result was part pop art, part personal treasure, and entirely unforgettable.
When the client presented it, there were tears, laughter, and one very proud dachshund owner who declared it “the greatest thing I’ve ever seen.”
Who says you can’t marry two different things together? At Maison Soirée, we do it beautifully.
Painting on a Paint Brush
One family wanted to give gifts that honored each member’s story — something deeply personal, meaningful, and unlike anything found in a store.
We enlisted a talented artist and gathered simple painter’s brushes. Each brush became a canvas, hand-painted with something significant to the recipient: a beloved pet who had passed, a favorite horse, the skyline of a place of employment, or a cherished memory.
Every brush was then carefully mounted and framed, transforming a humble everyday object into a piece of art infused with meaning.
The result was a collection of heirloom-quality keepsakes, each one unique to its owner. What began as a painter’s tool became a legacy of love, memory, and artistry — proof that when you look closely enough, even the simplest objects can tell extraordinary stories.
The Key to Doing Nothing
Sometimes the best gift is the one nobody gives themselves: permission to rest.
The Key to Doing Nothing is a playful stocking stuffer — an oversized gold key engraved with “Permission to Chill.” Presented in a velvet jewelry box like it’s the world’s most important engagement, it’s both tongue-in-cheek and completely heartfelt.
Slip it into a stocking, and it instantly becomes a reminder that slowing down is not only allowed — it’s a gift in itself.
Because at Maison Soirée, relaxation deserves to be celebrated in style.
The Forever Paw Print
A client came to us searching for the perfect gift for their sister, an avid animal lover whose world revolved around her rescue pup, Milo. They wanted something more than a photo frame or paw-print keepsake — something that captured the bond between them in a timeless, original way.
We commissioned a custom constellation artwork, transforming Milo’s paw print into a star map. Each pad and toe became a shining constellation, set against a midnight sky, with his name and the words “Guardian of Treats Since 2014” inscribed beneath.
The gift wasn’t just a portrait — it was a celebration of loyalty, love, and the way our pets become the center of our universe. Today, it hangs in her home as a daily reminder that some bonds are written in the stars.
The Fizzy Factory Bracelet Bombs
Our own take on bath bombs meets friendship bracelets…We wanted to make spa-day favors that fizzed with fun — literally.
Each guest received a pastel heart-shaped Fizzy Factory Bracelet Bomb that dissolved in water to reveal hidden letter beads. Once dry, the girls strung them into friendship bracelets spelling out phrases like BFF ENERGY and GLOW CREW.
Equal parts science, sparkle, and sisterhood — the perfect blend of play and creativity.
The Runway in a Box
When a client wanted something extraordinary for his daughter — a budding fashionista with a flair for couture — we designed The Runway in a Box.
Inside, she discovered custom paper dolls styled in miniature versions of iconic designer looks, an acrylic block engraved with the quote “Fashion is art you can walk in,” and a personalized sketchbook embossed with her name.
It wasn’t just a gift — it was a celebration of her creativity and a nudge toward her dream career. Proof that style isn’t bought, it’s imagined.
Best of all she felt her father “understood” her and they bonded over the holidays like never before.
The Legacy Supply Jar
A daughter reached out, hoping to honor her mother, a lifelong crafter who had closets full of yarn, beads, and paintbrushes. We wanted something that wasn’t just another supply, but a legacy.
We curated snippets of her most memorable projects — a swatch from her first quilt, a broken bead from a jewelry class, and even a faded pattern from decades ago. Each was tucked into a giant apothecary jar labeled: “Contents: Genius in Progress.”
It wasn’t just a jar of supplies — it was a time capsule of creativity, a story of projects past, and a celebration of every unfinished masterpiece that made her who she was.
The Dog-Parent Welcome Home
A client’s golden retriever had surgery, and everyone was sending flowers. Instead, I built a “Get Well Woof” crate with hand-baked dog treats, a cooling bandana embroidered with his name, and a framed caricature of the dog as a superhero. Inside was a card that said: “Because every good boy deserves a comeback.”
Chagall Meets Mr. Potato Head
When surrealism met spud — and it was magic.
For a longtime collector of both Marc Chagall and Mr.
Potato Head, we wanted to create something that married sophistication with pure, playful genius. Naturally, we turned to the incomparable Steve Casino, the artist who can make the impossible feel obvious once you see it.
The result? A one-of-a-kind mashup where Chagall’s dreamlike world meets the iconic charm of the world’s most famous potato. Sculpted, painted, and detailed entirely by hand, the piece captures both whimsy and reverence — a tribute to two masters of imagination who’d have absolutely loved the absurdity of it all.
The client was over the moon — a collector’s dream turned conversation piece that now sits proudly among originals by both Chagall and Hasbro’s finest.
The Cardboard Castle That Glows
A client came to us with one request: create something magical for their child that no toy store could offer. Forget plastic castles and cookie-cutter playhouses — we wanted to design a fortress built entirely around imagination.
We created The Cardboard Castle That Glows — a fold-out play castle illustrated with whimsical dragons and towers, personalized with the child’s name proudly displayed above the drawbridge. The stained-glass style windows were fitted with tiny battery-operated lights, transforming the castle into a glowing sanctuary at night.
When revealed, the little one gasped, ran inside, and declared it their “forever kingdom.” Today, the castle isn’t just a toy — it’s a centerpiece of play, storytelling, and childhood wonder.
Because at Maison Soirée, even cardboard can become extraordinary when it’s made with imagination.
Reimagined Music Box
A client came to us wanting to reimagine the classic ballerina jewelry box — something nostalgic yet deeply personal for their daughter.
We created The Musical Jewelry Box — Reinvented. Handcrafted in fine wood with a velvet-lined interior, the box opens to reveal not a generic ballerina, but a custom figurine designed to look exactly like her — hair, dress, and all. Instead of a pre-recorded tune, it played a song recorded by her grandmother, making the gift both timeless and irreplaceable.
The jewelry box became more than a place for treasures. It became a keepsake of childhood and family love, a memory she’ll carry for a lifetime.
Because at Maison Soirée, even the most traditional gifts can be reimagined into something extraordinary.
The DIY Bubble Lab Kit
For one unforgettable girls’ spa party, we turned self-care into science.
Each guest received a DIY Bubble Lab Kit — a pastel box filled with mini beakers, droppers, glitter, and jars of scented salts and petals. With labels like Potion No. 5 and Relaxium Dust, the girls mixed their own magical bath blends to take home.
It was part chemistry, part creativity, and 100% joy — proof that bubbles and brilliance go perfectly together.
The Mood Polish Factory
For a spa party that was all sparkle and self-expression, we created The Mood Polish Factory — a playful polish lab where each girl mixed her own custom color.
The host mother wanted each girl who attended to leave with a unique party favor.
Using tiny pigment droppers, glitter jars, and “Created by [Name]” labels, guests bottled their moods in shades of shimmer, sunshine, and sass.
It wasn’t just nail polish — it was personality in a bottle.
The Star Map Quilt
A client wanted to give a gift that would last far beyond the baby years — something that could be cherished through childhood and even passed down.
We designed The Star Map Quilt — a hand-embroidered heirloom quilt capturing the exact constellations from the night the baby was born.
Stitched into the design were the baby’s name, birthdate, and small symbolic motifs representing blessings for their future — health, laughter, love, and joy.
Soft enough for the crib yet meaningful enough to treasure forever, the quilt quickly became the family’s most cherished keepsake. A reminder that from their very first night on earth, the stars were shining just for them.
Because at Maison Soirée, we believe the best gifts wrap a child in both warmth and wonder.
GIFTS
WITHOUT THE BS
