"Something collectable” is the answer to the great question that comes up every Christmas: what do you get that person who already has everything (or, at any rate, grumpily tells you they don’t need anything)? Nobody needs a rare vinyl or a first edition. They are just nice to have for those who are into that sort of thing, and everybody, no matter what they tell you, has an interest in something. And it’s not about whether that vintage snuff bottle or Toby jug will sell for more than you paid for it a few years down the line. If that’s your goal, you might as well get them a long-dated government bond. But that’s not very festive. A collectable item is something deeply personal and meaningful. It is the archetypal thoughtful gift.
Naturally, auctions are a great place to find such gifts. But Christmas is stressful enough without the uncertainty of whether your bid will be successful, or deciding how much to spend and when to make your offer. If you’re anything like me, you’ll probably be running out of time as the big day draws close. That’s when “buy now” platforms come into their own. Sotheby’s offers such a service on its website, selling everything from six-figure Hermès handbags to prints for just a few hundred pounds.
The auction house even offers a “Gift Guide” to help you decide on what to buy depending on whether you are buying for “him” or “her”; looking for a “classic gift”, or out to make a “grand gesture” (read, “expensive”). Just be aware that taxes are not included in the listed prices, and some items need to be shipped from abroad.
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
Sotheby’s main rival, Christie’s, has a “Private Sales” section on its website, focusing more on fine art, furniture, and jewellery. If you’re looking for something in particular, its “global network of specialists” will try to find it for you.
Dropshop is a new online platform from Phillips that sells new artworks directly to buyers, including from emerging artists – a section of the art market that has seen robust growth in recent years, buoyed by social media and the search for “the next big thing”. It’s worth keeping an eye on.
Of course, there are still traditional galleries and don’t forget your local auction house for the possibility of grabbing a bargain if you have the inclination to bid. If you know what you’re looking for but not where to find it, aggregators such as The Saleroom can point you in the right direction.
What if you’re not after a big-ticket Renoir to buy now (see Christie’s), or a pair of diamond-studded earrings with a pair of emeralds the size of grapes (£825,204 from Sotheby’s)? What if the person you are buying for would prefer a phaser, used in the filming of Star Trek: Discovery? Or how about a life-sized medical pod from Ridley Scott’s 2012 Alien prequel Prometheus? The Propstore, a leading film and television memorabilia auction house based just outside London, has you covered. Both are available to buy now.
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.
Related articles
- Auctions: what you should know before you go
- 10 vinyl records worth up to £10,000 - is one in your collection?
- Could these 5 collectables make you rich?
- Investing in art: where to find the best value in the art market today
-
Halifax: UK house price growth hits new high for 2025 despite Autumn Budget tax fearsAverage UK house prices continue to rise but challenges remain, particularly in prime markets
-
NS&I raises interest rates on British Savings Bonds – are they any good?Savers can access inflation-beating rates on NS&I's British Savings Bonds but there are better deals on offer in the wider market.
-
'Why I launched MoneyWeek'Inspired by The Week and uninspired by the financial press, Jolyon Connell decided it was time for a new venture. That's where MoneyWeek came in
-
Review: Relais & Châteaux – a world of wine and art in the Western CapeTravel Relais & Châteaux, the association of independent luxury hotels, offers a refined experience in Cape Town and Stellenbosch, in South Africa
-
LVMH is set to prosper as the wealthy start shopping againAfter two years of uncertainty, the outlook for LVMH is starting to improve. Is now a good time to add the luxury-goods purveyor to your portfolio?
-
Two of Britain's rarest gold coinsGold coins from Britain are sought after by collectors around the world, says Chris Carter
-
Review: Kuda Villingili Resort Maldives – a luxurious island retreatTravel Kuda Villingili Resort Maldives in the North Malé Atoll in the Maldives is a haven offering a wealth of activities and fabulous food
-
8 of the best smallholdings for sale nowThe best smallholdings for sale – from a medieval cross-passage farmhouse in Taunton, Somerset, to a former farmhouse with an orchard in the Welsh Marches
-
Review: Waldorf Astoria Dubai International Financial Centre – explore a city of Arabian delightsTravel The Waldorf Astoria Dubai International Financial Centre is a great base from which to set out on a foodie adventure of the emirate
-
Albert Einstein's first violin sells for £860,000 at auctionAlbert Einstein left his first violin behind as he escaped Nazi Germany. Last week, it became the most expensive instrument not owned by a concert violinist
