In our throwaway consumer culture, giving gifts can feel like a whole lot of pressure: get it wrong and that present will end up in the back of a cupboard, being given away again or, at worst, in landfill.
The trick is finding something timeless but not boring; something 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.
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Gifts that last
A well-made T-shirt
In 1995, I gave my new girlfriend a striped sailor T-shirt from 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 a 1,000 washes. The product is still available and made in Brittany. Beat that value, fast fashion. Mark Kaminski
Women’s Breton striped shirt
£48 at Armor Lux From £27.95 at AmazonMen’s Breton striped shirt
£54 at Armor Lux £90 at John Lewis***
Timeless toys
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
Brio classic railway set
£38.39 at John Lewis £38.40 at Hamleys***
Handmade pottery
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
One of my most treasured (and well-used) gifts is two hand-thrown mugs, which I use every day. Lisa Foreman
Hand-thrown ceramic salt pig
£44 at EtsyCeramic mug and saucer
£9.99 at Etsy***
Cast-iron cookware
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
Cast iron frying pan with wooden handle
From £209 at Le Creuset £219 at John LewisCast iron round casserole dish
From £179.99 at Wayfair From £209 at Le Creuset***
Versatile baby toys
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
Silicone stacking cups
£13.99 at Etsy £15.99 at Amazon***
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
£39 at Original Duckhead £40 at Selfridges***
Durable kitchenware
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
Vogue stainless steel measuring jug, 2l
£19.54 at Nisbets £17.99 at Amazon***
Beautiful brooch
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
Victorian rose gold, aquamarine and seed pearl bar brooch
£69.99 at eBayGold poppy anemone brooch
£28 at Fable England***
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
Tweezerman glass nail file
£8 at Cult Beauty £5.60 at Amazon***
Practical apron
My denim apron that my beloved bought me. It’s a piece of Jay Rayner ‘Out To Lunch’ merchandise [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
Daylesford Organic Buckley denim apron
£28 at Ocado £34 at Daylesford Organic***
Collector’s items
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
Playmobil pirates
£15 at Argos £10.39 at Amazon***
Personalised jewellery
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
Silver initial necklace
£105 at MissomaFor more, check out 12 affordable jewellery brands, worn and rated for style and quality
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Travel essentials
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
Turtle conservation eye mask
£28 at Elizabeth Scarlett***
Sewing machine
My Elna Lotus sewing machine is still going strong after 54 years. We’ve made clothes for the children, curtains and soft furnishings for four houses, gifts for other people and items to sell for charity. Alison
Elna Lotus sewing machine
Available secondhand on eBayWhat gift have you given or received that’s lasted? Let us know about your best forever gifts by emailing us at thefilter@theguardian.com
