Some gifts are deliberately chosen to be "the latest thing" (e.g., the new bet-on-the-answer Trivial Pursuit), and others are reliable classics, the default you count on when you just don't want to think about giving (I recommend Frugal Scholar's post on "standard gifts").
But other gifts are created and given for longevity. These are the gifts I would choose for a special occasion: a decade birthday, anniversary, or any time when you want to make a gesture with a flourish.
A timeless treasure occupies the intersection of beauty and utility, free of irony, firm of quality, discreetly special: the gift for the elder, the esteemed, the longtime friend, the cherished partner. Or it says to the new love, I'm glad I found you.
Look for gifts outside fashion, but not too utilitarian. Ideas below, at varying price points, but "timeless" means very good to fine quality, even for a tin of tea.
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| Antique kilt pin |
Kilt pin, ca. 1880s, in silver set with "cairngorms", or high-cut stones. (Stone is not identified.) Two inches in diameter. Price, $550 from
1st Dibs seller Tudor Rose Antiques
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| Handcarved vase |
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| Decorative bamboo boxes |
Temple stacking boxes of stitched, woven and painted bamboo leaves, sold as a set of three. Everyone can use a beautiful box; you could give the set or delight three friends.
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| Russian coin pendant |
Imperial Russian 5-kopeck coin (bronze) dated 1770 with monogram of Catherine the Great. Mounted in a frame with bale, a handsome piece to wear on a cord or chain. Price, $125 from
Busacca Gallery.
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| Japanese paper-covered canister |
Kyoto Landmark washi
green tea canister, to give filled with a fine tea. Price, $7 from
Yuuki Cha, who also sell a selection of organic and natural Japanese teas.
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| Berry purple cashmere shrug |
Shown on a young model... but an
Eric Bompard cashmere shrug could be worn with verve by a 75 year old grandmother or her 50 year old daughter– and it's bound to be an accessory she doesn't have. Price, €138.
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| Retro Piccard watch |
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The gift of a
watch is a symbol of time. Why not make it a
breathtaking watch, a singularly chic ca. 1940 Lucien Piccard pink and green gold manual-wind? From 1st Dibs seller
Wanna Buy a Watch? Price $2,400.
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| Vintage Mexican silver money clip |
Even a jeans and tee guy can pull off a rakish money clip. He doesn't even have to know that Fortino Moda was a master silversmith in the '50s and '60s, he'll just enjoy the whimsy of the little critter dancing on his bills.
Price, $125 from Ruby Lane seller
Little Mexican Silver Shop.
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| Art nouveau locket | | | | | | |
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Beladora 2's exquisite art noveau vine
locket, with a swallow perched on a branch of ivory, hangs on an 18-inch 12k yellow gold chain.
So romantic and charming that I predict she will open the box and burst into tears of joy. I would! Price, $695.
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| Vintage Italian desk set |
You have a friend who loves Italy? A vintage Italian desk set, with its perpetual calendar and pen holder, set on a slab of rich red marble, celebrates that passion.
Price, $58 from etsy seller
bluebellbazaar; far more evocative than a bottle of wine.
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| St Laurent ponyskin belt |
A piece of
stellar vintage is timeless. If you know the waist size and have the love, this YSL ponyskin
belt is a knockout. Fits a size 4 to 6; price, $475 from 1st Dibs seller
Jennifer Kobrin.
A standard gift– the bottle of wine, box of chocolates, nice pen–is nothing to sneeze at, but to see a someone's eyes light up, search for the antique, ethnic, handmade or one of a kind: the gift that gives pleasure for years.
Comments
I just have to share this site: http://pastesf.com/index.html
These little pieces of art might suit some and make them smile.
There is an ongoing discount code just for the blogosphere, for all items from both Beladora.com and Beladora2.com. The discount code is BHB.
I hope that your readers will find the perfect timeless treasures to gift this year.
Belle: It is I who thank you for such treasures. Women can develop a much keener sense of quality jewelry from your site.
Susan: These pieces would not make it on to my timeless list, though are whimsical and well priced.
Toby: Knowing your wisdom, I am guessing you will include babysitting, if you give a spa visit. I have heard some new mothers say they are too harried to go, and can't relax once there.
Many new parents are inundated with baby stuff. Some less conventional choices might include
- a subscription to Netflix
- a selection of freezable meals, homemade or not (pasta sauce, chili, soups etc.) delivered every other month. Not all the meals, but enough to really help on a rough day
- The gift I most appreciated was a cheque my mother gave me with the directions to spend it on babysitting. Once my sons were 4 months old, we hired two sisters who lived next door and got out for a casual dinner once a week.
If ony we could give them sleep!
Toby, our daughter in law just had our second grandson--19 months after the first. We have given her several things which she seems to really appreciate: 1. $$ for a once a week housekeeper
2. $$ for nanny help.
3. and yes, gift certificate for a local spa she enjoys. Our son recommended this gift as it can be used for massages, facials, manicures and pedicures.
I like the netflix idea. I just learned that you can now get all their movies streaming online---just the thing for a new mom who may find herself nursing and feeding a baby at all hours and not in the area where the tv is located.
I also keep an eye on one of our local university's art school - they have a holiday sale of student work each year, and you can get some wonderful artwork for very reasonable prices, especially ceramics.
Thanks for all the links to great online gift sources!