Christmas Gifts That Endure

Lets face it, some Christmas presents, however carefully chosen and gratefully received, just don't last that long. Younger children seem able to wreck the most well constructed of toys in minutes - the real reason why Boxing Day is called Boxing day is that you have to sweep all the bits of broken present into a box! Even with older friends and relatives, those carefully selected boxes of shortbread or chocolates may be gratefully received, but you know they won't last longer than the journey home - even if they make it that long. It's really nice, just now and then, to get an enduring present - one that is still with you (and functioning perfectly) by, lets say, the following June. Here are a few of our favourites:

1. The most obvious choice, but one that always goes down well is a diary, calendar or family organiser. The calendar can be on a theme of a favourite pastime, pop group or personality, pets or exotic cars. An organiser has a separate column for each of the family members, so Dad doesn't end up at Brownies and little Sarah doesn't end up having her moustache trimmed.



2. Plants - they can last for years. Try to avoid houseplants that are going to outgrow the recipient's house and if you choose an outdoor plant, make sure it's frost hardy, otherwise you will be causing a real headache for a gardener with limited frost free storage space - Sophie's Choice all over again - which one of the little ones will be left out in the cold?



3. A magazine subscription is always well received. Instead of having to remember to pop down to the newsagent for his copy of 'Whips 'n' Furs' or her 'Guinea Pig Breeder's Gazette', for the next 12 months the issue will arrive on time every month.



4. Older friends or relatives, particularly grandparents, love a photograph - perhaps in a nice frame †or a whole album of them. A picture of the grandchildren or favourite pet always seems to go down well. Why not push the boat out and give a digital photo frame, where a number of favourite photos can play in a slide-show, but only take up the room of one on the sideboard?



5. A traditional one is jewellery - precious metals and gemstones represent the qualities of beauty and durability †but be careful where you buy it from - a prawn sandwich is definitely better value than some of the stuff you can buy in the more 'low-buck' outlets.



6. A season ticket will also be very well received, whether it is for the 'season' at Glyndebourne or a whole year supporting Wickham Wanderers. If the friend or relative is out and about in this country they will always be grateful for that National Trust membership you bought them when they save on parking fees at the many National Trust car parks.



7. And last but not least, what about a set of lessons in something a bit out of the ordinary? Not only will the lessons still be going by next June, but if they prove popular, their effect could still be felt years later. How cool for your nearest and dearest to be able to show off to their friends that they can now converse like a native when they visit exotic foreign places, or maybe they get so good at pottery making that their Christmas present problems are sorted for years to come!

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