They’re a statement of your love and an investment in your lovely time to come with a romantic partner, a close friend or family member: lasting gifts are those that will mean something to the recipient for a very long time. As such, they can be more expensive and can be more difficult to decide upon. But ultimately they’ll become something of a cherished heirloom of your relationship with those you love. Here’s a run-down of some of your options when it comes to heartfelt, long-lasting gifts.
Jewelry
Made from metal and often precious or semi-precious gems, jewelry usually goes the distance, often being handed down the generations as heirlooms of a family’s past. Despite it being a no-brainer, actually going out and buying jewelry is surprisingly tough. You have to decide on the item (necklace, wristwatch or cufflinks, for example) and then on the style and quality of whatever it is you’re purchasing. It’ll all come down to the person’s tastes and requirements, of course.
For some inspiration, here are some particular ideas for you to mull over. If your loved one fits the description, womens Christian rings can be delightfully romantic while tapping into her affinity with spirituality and religion. A necklace with the birthstone of its recipient likewise taps into a slightly different spiritual energy, a connection to the world of alchemy, mystique, and mystery. Smart gold cufflinks make a particularly good addition to a man’s wardrobe, as does a swanky new watch or even a new pair of designer sunglasses. Just make sure you’re purchasing quality. After all, you want your gift to last as long as your relationship with your loved one!
Art
You might have recently visited a gallery with your loved one, and absolutely loved a piece of art found there. Perhaps you know your partner or loved one is a devout fan of Shakespeare, and you’ve found a delightful leather-bound collection of his plays, or they’re a Moore fan, in which case a miniature of his voluptuous figures could make the perfect long-lasting gift. Another one that entirely depends upon individual tastes and experiences but ensure that the piece you purchase is quality, even an original where affordable, and that it represents something special for its recipient.
The places to search for these gifts may traditionally be galleries, museums, auctions, collections and antique shops. However, increasingly, you’ll be able to find some unique items, sourced from around the world, displayed in online stores for your convenience. In this way, you’ll be spoilt for choice when it comes to selecting from the most specific of artworks available on the web.
Toiletries
Ah, you say, but toiletries are some of the most basic, replaceable and empty of gestures! You’d be right, but not the kind of toiletries we’re talking about. It’s not about purchasing a lovely selection of bath bombs or a delightfully smelling shower gel. It’s those permanent items in an individual’s toiletries supply that you’ll be able to furnish them with; something that’ll last, that they’ll take on holiday with them, and that’ll be a part of their life for as long as they need to wash, clean and pamper.
The most obvious addition to a man’s array of toiletries is a proper shaving kit; the kind that’s sturdy, classy and valuable enough to be a mainstay in his routine for years to come. A shaving brush, replaceable soaps, and an ornate and personalized razor blade handle will go down a storm with your special man. For women, there’s make-up cases and boxes, personalized and decorative hair brushes, and pocket mirrors. Perhaps sourced from an antique market, with a distinctly vintage feel that will add to its character. If it was made long ago, it probably means it’ll last even longer!
Clothing
Clothes are a tough one. There’s plenty of items of attire that simply suffer the stresses of everyday use too acutely, meaning that their lifespan is shorter than you’d hope. Falling into this category are all those everyday items (shorts, skirts, shirts, etc.) that bear the brunt of continual use and an active life. However, there’s plenty of accessory options in the world of clothing that your loved one will be able to cherish and take care of for decades. You’ll just have to decide which style will remain fashionable in a timeless and classy way throughout the years.
Ties are a good place to start in this respect, loved and worn for many years by men in jobs requiring smart attire. Then there’s hats, wooly for the colder months, or shading for sweltering summers, as well as a sturdy pair of shoes (some come with lifetime warranties or replacement services) and a stylish scarf: an item that seems to remain with you season after season. Think carefully about the glaring holes in your loved one’s wardrobe, and aim to fill them with something that’ll last.
Mementos
Finally, a more miscellaneous suggestion, consider gifts that last thanks to their somehow containing within them a memory of your love – your time spent together. These gifts often accrue value in a symbolic way and thus aren’t necessarily expensive to purchase or create. To give an example, perhaps you spend a wonderful honeymoon on the beaches of Southeast Asia, and you’re keen to immortalize it in a gift to your significant other. In this case, you could buy some local handicrafts, or make a kind of memorial out of collected scraps, shells and writings from your wonderful time away.
Elsewhere, you’ll know the ones you love well enough to dwell on what specific memento will be the most meaningful and long-lasting relic for its recipient, injected with your love, passion, and memories and delivered in the spirit of romance or significance. It could be ornamental, or it could be a tiny token carried in a pocket. It could be a painting of them, or it could be a book of poems you’ve written in calligraphic handwriting. Whatever your memento, it’s sure to enjoy great care being taken over it, guaranteeing its longevity.
Long-lasting gifts can be a challenge to think of and deliver to a loved one. However, these tips should help guide your purchase so that you’re able to provide a present that means as much as the time it’ll last.
