1 day ago
3
In our throwaway consumer culture, giving gifts can feel like a whole lot of pressure: get it wrong and that present could fall apart, end up in the back of a cupboard (or worse, landfill), or be re-gifted.
The trick is finding something timeless but not boring; thoughtful and personal; well made and useful. We asked you for the gifts you’ve given or received that are still treasured (and going strong) years – often decades – later.
Gifts that last
Bosch 32-piece drill bit set
We’re still using a set of high-quality German drill bits received as a wedding present more than 40 years ago. Lasted longer than the perplexing tiny dead bat in a matchbox also received as a gift at the wedding. Philip and Jane
Luxury accessory
Ophidia mini bag
A beautiful Gucci handbag, which my partner – now husband – queued up for hours at the Gucci sale in 2004. It still looks amazing, and I will treasure it. Amanda
Helpful gadgets
Singer sewing machine
Philips Lady Shaver
My lasting gift wasn’t given to me but to my mum, in 1942 (I think) – a Singer sewing machine, which I used during lockdown to sew scrubs. I also have a Philips Lady Shaver, given to me by my dad, still working after 54 years. Pat
Matching accessories
Orange carbon fibre comb
In December 1977, I returned from India wearing totally orange clothes. We stayed the night in London with a friend who gave me an orange comb to match my outfit. I’ve combed my hair every day for the past 48 years with this orange comb and believe it will keep going for however long I still need it. Sadhya
Victorinox Classic Swiss army knife
On my 18th birthday I was given a Victorinox Swiss army knife. It was only a small one, with one blade, scissors, tweezers, a nail file and a light. Today, 23 years later, it’s still useful and one of the best presents I’ve had, invaluable in sorting out on-the-go problems, like splinters, cutting off loose threads or tags, dealing with broken nails and slicing snacks for my kids. Ximena
In September 1994, I took up a teaching job at the British International School, Cairo. One of my lodgers – a teaching colleague – gave me a Swiss army knife as a leaving present. It has resided and been used in a myriad of other countries during my travels: increasingly, it has been used as a corkscrew rather than a knife, but has recently retired to the UK. Mark Exton
Home comforts
Wool tartan rug
We received a checked tartan wool travel rug as a wedding present 41 years ago. It’s still a beloved part of the household – for picnics, cold days and putting over poorly people on the sofa. Best present ever! Sue
Tea for one
Floral tea-for-one stacking teapot
My best friend gave me a one-person teapot with saucer and cup. No one in my house drinks tea in the morning except me, so my big teapots only come out when I have visitors. I use it twice a day, every day, with proper tea leaves for a good old-fashioned English cup of tea. Jeanette
Nifty utensils
Krisk bean slicer
We were given a Krisk runner bean slicer as a wedding present by my husband’s colleagues. We had put mostly practical and inexpensive ideas on our wedding list. The bean slicer is still going strong, as is our friendship with his colleagues, all of us heading for retirement now. It’s our 30th wedding anniversary next year! Kate and Jonathan Eaton
Thoughtful antiques
1961 first edition of The Pale Horse by Agatha Christie
For my sister-in-law’s 40th birthday, we were undecided about what to buy her – at the time, she was managing bookshops, and a major passion of hers has always been reading. I came up with the idea of buying her a first-edition Agatha Christie. When it arrived, it was small, tatty and not looking like the best idea I’d ever had! However, we wrapped and sent it to her in the post – and her response was the best I’ve ever had from a recipient of a present: “How could you buy me something I never knew I wanted so badly?!” It was the best £400 ever spent! Lynwen Jones
Retro tech
Panasonic portable speaker and CD player
My husband was given a radio cassette player for his 21st. This year he is 67, and it is still going strong, albeit a bit paint splattered and clunky. It complements all the tech we now use as a retro reminder of simpler days! Clair Scott
A blast from the past
Palitoy Millennium Falcon 1979
Almost 50 years after I first received it, the Palitoy Millennium Falcon continues to work its way through multiple generations of Star Wars fans in my family. Paul
A piece of history
The very first gift my husband gave to me was an ammonite fossil. We got together in November 1991, and at new year we went to Whitby – where he found it and gave it to me while sitting by the bay watching the fireworks be set off by the boats. I still have it in my bedside table drawer. We live in Vancouver, Canada, now so it’s a well-travelled fossil! Jane
Hard-working kitchen appliances
Kenwood Chefette stand and hand mixer
We were given a Kenwood Chefette food mixer as a wedding present. We celebrated our 53rd anniversary last week, and the mixer is still going strong. I don’t know how Kenwood makes any profits if all its products last this long! Clare
I was given a Kenwood Chef by my mother- and father-in-law for my 21st birthday. I used it all the time to mix, mince, blend, whisk or knead stuff. Just before my 50th birthday, the motor died, mid-cake mix. It was going to be my son’s birthday cake. I had to finish it by hand and it took me ages. On my 50th birthday I unwrapped my presents to find I had got a new one. Now with a clutch of grandkids, it gets used just as much as ever. Lizzie
A helping hand
Tower electric knife
A useful, hard-wearing gift received at Christmas 1983 from my brother-in-law was an electric carving knife. I had just been widowed, and he thought this would help me carve my Sunday roasts. It did and has continued to do so for 42 years and is still going strong. I also use it to carve up malt loaves and my homemade sourdough loaves. Brilliant. Eileen Davenport
Fitness tech
Garmin Edge Explore 2 cycling computer
My husband took up cycling after knee surgery when he couldn’t play golf. I gave him a Garmin bike computer – the most basic model, costing £70, in case he didn’t take to it. He loved it, uses it every day, and 10 years on, it is still helping keep him fit. Carla Staton
Hardy pans
Vogue copper tri-wall saucepan
Back in the 80s, my future mother-in-law gave me a set of high-end, stainless steel, copper-bottomed saucepans, which are still going strong. Roger Walker
Sturdy stationery
Parker classic slimline pen
I’m still using my gold Parker pen 46 years after I was given it as an 18th birthday present by my parents’ neighbours. I carry it in my bag and use it most days. It’s had many refills, of course, but unlike cheap throwaway pens, it is always returned when I lend it to others. Sue Rumfitt
Well-crafted cutlery
Ashberry & Sons Savoy cutlery set
In the last weeks of my studies at the University of Leeds in 1969, I married Sheila. One of our wedding gifts was six place settings of a knife, fork and spoon, made in Sheffield by Ashberry, in the style Savoy. The cutlery was simple but expertly designed in detail. We moved to Canada for two years, then returned to the UK, living in five different houses, and each time this cutlery accompanied us. It’s still like new. Anonymous
Elevated essentials
Salter butcher’s block
More than 40 years ago I was given a butcher’s block, a 4in-thick one, for a wedding present. Still in use on my counter. Mari
A reliable mate
Black+Decker Workmate
Mine is a very well-worn Black+Decker Workmate. Bought for me by an uncle as my wedding present in 1988. It’s had a couple of “refurbs” over the years – it’s great that it’s possible to get the spares. It’s been used and abused DIYing three houses, plus away gigs at my son’s house in recent years. It’s been a go-to “mate” for multiple car services, bicycle rebuilds/services, painting table, saw horse … It’s also a treasured link back to a wonderful uncle, long since passed on. John
after newsletter promotion
Stylish scissors
Fiskars scissors
Back in the early 80s, we were bewildered by our father’s choice of Christmas stocking gift. My sister and I each received two pairs of scissors, the handles bright orange. Barely a day goes by when I’m not opening the kitchen drawer to pull one or the other out. The one with the straight edge is best for cutting paper, the other with a textured, shaped edge is just right for snipping bacon or chicken. They are classic and stylish. Jane
Double-use laundry baskets
Addis laundry basket
Our longest-lasting gift was a humble laundry basket made by Addis given to us as a wedding present. It doesn’t look much, but it’s so tough and durable, and has dealt with our washing for 45 years. When our kids were small, they used to climb into the basket and their dad would swing them from side to side in the air. Good for the biceps! I love our Addis baskets! Lesley Turner
Classic car
Vertbaudet FSC-wood ride-on car
By far the best value gift for our children has been a little wooden (indoor) ride-on car for our son’s first birthday. He is now eight, and his little brother almost five, and they still play with it on a daily basis. It has been a fire engine, Formula E car, horse-drawn carriage and countless more iterations. It’s needed cleaning a few times, but otherwise no maintenance/repair, so it will be passed down to their children. Elisabeth
A well-made T-shirt
Women’s Breton striped shirt
Men’s Breton striped shirt
In 1995, I gave my new girlfriend a striped sailor T-shirt from the French brand Armor-Lux. Heavy cotton quality. She told me I was crazy for giving her a T-shirt that cost 100 Deutschmarks. Thirty years on, she is my wife and still loves to wear the shirt. It looks a little worn, but it must have had many more than 1,000 washes. The product is still available and made in Brittany. Beat that value, fast fashion. Mark Kaminski
Timeless toys
Brio classic railway set
My sons were given a Brio train set when they were toddlers and spent hours playing with it (they are now 36 and 37). We kept the set, hoping for grandchildren. We now have two, and the trains are out again, winding their way through our house, still as good as new. Brio is headed for family heirloom status in our house! Margaret
Handmade pottery
Hand-thrown ceramic salt pig
Handmade ceramic vase
The best gifts I’ve given have all been handmade studio pottery. As a teenager in the 1980s, I started buying pieces from Field Row Pottery in Worthing (now closed) for family. You can always find a local potter making things you like. You can buy practical dishes; a salt-pig for the cook or foodie; vases or bowls for someone you know better; a mug for a colleague. Pottery lasts, good pieces are timeless and every home is better for having some. Dan Thompson
For ever gifts include several wooden bowls and ceramic vessels beautifully crafted by family members, which stand in pride of place alongside handmade objects from our travels. Shout out to school woodwork and art classes, they always light a spark in some budding craftspeople. Jane
Cast-iron cookware
Cast-iron frying pan with wooden handle
Cast-iron round casserole dish
Cast-iron saucepan
Nearly 55 years on, not many of my wedding gifts have survived. The one that has is the big orange Le Creuset pan that my sister gave us. It has been in regular use for all these years and, while it doesn’t look quite as beautiful as it did 55 years ago (and who does?), it still does its job just as well. Jenny
My favourite present was a large Le Creuset enamel-lined casserole given to me in 1971 at my first wedding and still going strong. I use it to cook for my third, and definitely last, husband. Pam Smallwood
I still have a small Le Creuset saucepan that my mother gave me when I went to uni 47 years ago. I also have multiple pieces I received as wedding gifts 35 years ago, all still in use. They are amazing. Eugenie
Versatile baby toys
Silicone stacking cups
Minifolk silicone stacking cups are an excellent baby gift. I’ve bought a few sets since a young relative was particularly happy with the ones he received. They have numbers for learning to count and patterns and holes for use as water/bath/sand toys, all while taking up very little space. Angela
Classic umbrella
I’ve had the Duckhead umbrella for almost 20 years – a bit of a miracle considering I received it as a birthday present when I was still at university. It’s a great-quality umbrella, and it’s hard to miss, which is perhaps how I’ve managed not to lose it. Monica Horridge
Durable kitchenware
Vogue stainless steel measuring jug, two-litre
When I married her son in 1974, my mother-in-law gave me, among many other things, a stainless steel measuring jug. I’ve been divorced for 33 years, and my dear, dear mother-in-law died last year, but the jug keeps rolling along with not a mark on it! Dot Unwin
Beautiful brooch
Pearl bar pin
Ralph Lauren crystal brooch pin
In the summer of 1977 I bought my girlfriend, Jackie, now my wife, a Victorian bar brooch. She continues to wear it, and it remains in good condition. It’s made of gold with seed pearls and diamonds. Best buy ever. Bob
Nail file
Tweezerman glass nail file
My friend gave me a glass nail file as a birthday present, and I’ve had it for 30 years. I use it most weeks because I’m constantly breaking my nails. It’s kinder on your nails than an emery board and gives a nice smooth finish. I always keep it in my handbag. Linda Pennington
Practical apron
Daylesford Organic Buckley denim apron
My denim apron that my beloved bought me. It’s a piece of Jay Rayner Out to Lunch merchandise, which is no longer available. The quality is outstanding, it has pockets and washes up like new every time, which is great given the amount of cooking and mess I create weekly. Caroline Jackson
Collector’s items
Playmobil pirates
My parents gave me my first Playmobil set as a Christmas gift in 1980 – the bandit with horse. It will be 45 soon and is still a prized part of my collection today: it’s in great shape, especially considering it went through rodeos, gym sessions, diving competitions and God knows what else. Tahra
Personalised jewellery
Silver initial necklace
For my 18th birthday, my sister gave me a personalised necklace with my initial engraved on to it. I still wear it all the time 10 years later. Imogen Barker
For more, check out 12 affordable jewellery brands, worn and rated for style and quality
Travel essentials
Turtle conservation eye mask
My friend bought me a turtle Elizabeth Scarlett eye mask years ago before I went travelling. It’s gone with me to Australia, New Zealand and beyond and it’s still going strong. A percentage of each sale goes towards animal conservation, which is an added bonus. Lucy Smith
What gift have you given or received that’s lasted? Let us know about your best forever gifts by emailing us at thefilter@theguardian.com
This article was originally published on 28 August 2025. Articles published in the Filter may be periodically updated to reflect new products and at the editor’s discretion. The date of an article’s most recent update can be found in the timestamp at the top of the page. This article was amended on 11 December 2025 with prices updated throughout and additional reader recommendations added.
Christmas shopping can be tough – so we spent months finding the perfect presents for everyone on your list. We selected the best products from our testing; enlisted babies, kids and teenagers to find out what they really wanted; and sniffed, tasted and tested the good, the bad and the ugly to bring you 305 genuinely brilliant gifts.
English (US)