Vintage View: Gifting vintage is great fun for giver and getter

The real gift of giving is to have a big slab of fun finding the thing, and for me, that means something vintage or an affordable antique, but only if my pal has been very, very good.

Yes, the ‘used’ second hand thing is a risk. The choice is narrower, and there’s no accounting for taste. Still — isolated from wider family and friends on Christmas morning, you don’t have to tolerate the immediate ‘what the festive flaming pudding is that?’ if they don’t appreciate your eccentric efforts.

Vintage objects not only offer good value but show somebody you care about that you’re not afraid to step away from the obvious and you presume something deeper of your recipient too. Choose something lovely, with only the light imprint of other’s use, and something they can still use — even if just for high days and holidays.