Where to look for Christmas gifts for collectors
“Buy now” marketplaces are rich hunting grounds when it comes to buying Christmas gifts for collectors, says Chris Carter
What do you buy somebody for Christmas who already has everything? Perhaps that somebody is a collector with a particularly niche interest. In both cases, the high street is effectively ruled out as a place to do your shopping. Even online retailers won’t be much help. But there is another hunting ground that tends to get overlooked in favour of the big shops, and that is auction houses.
Of course, the run-up to the big day is fraught enough without having to worry about waving a bidding paddle around or watching the clock count down on an online auction only to be pipped by a higher bid at the last second. That is why the “buy now” marketplaces offered by a handful of reputable auctioneers can be particularly interesting. Take Sotheby’s for example.
Christmas gifts for collectors at buy now marketplaces
“What sets Sotheby’s Buy Now marketplace apart is our curation,” says Cynthia Houlton, global head of demand generation and marketplace at Sotheby’s. You can find the marketplace on Sotheby’s website. Simply peruse the listings and add items to your basket. Just remember that VAT is not included in the listed pricing and the marketplace is global, so some items may take a little longer to get to you.
MoneyWeek
Subscribe to MoneyWeek today and get your first six magazine issues absolutely FREE
Sign up to Money Morning
Don't miss the latest investment and personal finances news, market analysis, plus money-saving tips with our free twice-daily newsletter
Don't miss the latest investment and personal finances news, market analysis, plus money-saving tips with our free twice-daily newsletter
“Every piece is sourced to be the best of the best, from rare first editions and exceptional jewellery to objects with remarkable provenance,” says Houlton. “Clients come to us for treasures they simply can’t find anywhere else – whether that’s a coveted vintage Rolex watch, a gemstone-encrusted Van Cleef & Arpels necklace, or a Gibson guitar signed by Paul McCartney. It’s the destination for truly unforgettable holiday gifting.”
That McCartney guitar can be had for £21,368, and the Van Cleef & Arpels necklace is priced at £418,742. If your intended recipient has been particularly nice this year, perhaps they deserve an F.P. Journe Chronomètre à Résonance wristwatch, with an asking price of £447,863. For James Bond fans, Sotheby’s has a collection of first edition 007 novels for £84,281.
CJ Hendry's new juju collectables
In a similar vein, Dropshop allows living artists to sell new, limited-edition creations directly to collectors on a “buy now” basis through auction house Phillips. “What makes Dropshop truly special is its direct connection to living artists – each drop is a unique moment that brings the artist’s vision straight to the collector,” says Christine Miele, retail sales director for e-commerce at Phillips. “In today’s art world, that immediacy and intimacy are more valuable than ever before.”
The artist CJ Hendry is returning to the platform, having helped launch it a couple of years ago, with a collection of “juju” collectable toys that currently make up a “towering” Christmas tree in Hong Kong. In January, collectors will be invited to “adopt” a juju, with the proceeds benefiting a local charity. “It’s a bold, playful series in which fine art meets collectible culture,” says Miele.
This article was first published in MoneyWeek's magazine. Enjoy exclusive early access to news, opinion and analysis from our team of financial experts with a MoneyWeek subscription.
-
The shape of yields to comeCentral banks are likely to buy up short-term bonds to keep debt costs down for governments
-
The sad decline of investment clubs – and what comes nextOpinion Financial regulation and rising costs are killing off investment clubs that once used to be an enjoyable hobby, says David Prosser
-
The shape of yields to come
Central banks are likely to buy up short-term bonds to keep debt costs down for governments
-
The sad decline of investment clubs – and what comes next
Opinion Financial regulation and rising costs are killing off investment clubs that once used to be an enjoyable hobby, says David Prosser
-
How to profit from the UK leisure sector in 2026The UK leisure sector had a straitened few years but now have cash in the bank and are ready to splurge. The sector is best placed to profit
-
Who won the streaming wars?The battle of the TV and film streaming giants for dominance looks to be entering a final phase. The likely winner may surprise you, says Simon Wilson
-
'Investors should expect a good year for equities'Opinion The economy is positive, and investors are still cautious, says Max King
-
The best luxury saunas, spas and icy plungesRestore your mind and body with luxury fire and ice experiences, from warming saunas to icy plunges
-
8 of the best properties for sale with indoor gymsThe best properties for sale with indoor gyms – from a four-storey mews house in London’s Knightsbridge, to a 1920s Arts & Crafts house in Melbury Abbas, Dorset
-
Top stock ideas for 2026 that offer solidity and growthLast year’s stock ideas from MoneyWeek’s columnist and trader, Michael Taylor, produced another strong performance. This year’s stocks look promising too
