Most of the collectible gifts in this post are for children but can be carried into adulthood. Keep reading to see my ideas and definitely share yours at the bottom of the post!
Collectible Gifts for Girls
Add-a-bead or add-a-pearl necklaces are also special yearly gifts. One DoSayGive reader said she bought an entire set of pearls for her daughter at birth and gave one for every birthday.
Very Southern but very lovely: Gift antique linen hand towels. You can find all sorts of beautiful hand towels and napkins with unique elegant monograms at area antique malls. I have a whole collection my grandmother gave me.
Collectible Gifts for Boys
Finding collectible gifts for boys is quite fun! And many of these could be gifted to girls as well. Of course there are Lionel classic train sets that make special gifts for boys and girls. Start with this Lionel starter set and give a different car as a gift each year. Don’t you just love a train going round the tree on Christmas morning? I do!
Dallas friends: Don’t forget about Northpark Trains! You can make a donation to the Ronald McDonald House and they will hand paint your child’s name on a railcar. (Deadline approaching soon!) Call ahead before your visit and they will make sure your train is steaming through the exhibit when you arrive. Your child or grandchild will have so much fun finding his train! Such a sweet tradition and a gift that gives back.
Another option is to gift a beautiful hardcover book each year. Think about how wonderful a child’s collection would be after years of getting a classic each year! A wonderful Christmas book each year is also fun and something the child can eventually share with his or her own children.
Neutral Collectible Gifts
Schleich animals make great little birthday gifts and are very reasonably priced for a collectible gift. The goal of this German toymaker is to help children learn about nature and animals through their detailed, authentic figures.
Collecting mint julep cups is another uniquely southern tradition. These cups are typically monogrammed and dated to mark special events, and are common gifts to receive as baby gifts, christenings, weddings, and other special occasions. These cups have a variety of uses but are definitely an heirloom that can be passed down. You can give every year with the date or monogram engraved. Fill with flowers for a special celebration gift. Read more about the mint julep cup tradition here.
Giving sterling silver goblets as a gift was a common tradition centuries ago because, typically, a family would have one cup assigned for each child. This practical tradition has become a special gift to give to parents at the birth of their child and would be an equally special yearly gift to give. A reader recently told me that she gifts her godchildren one piece of silver each year on their birthday — they’ll have quite the collection by the time they’re 18!
There are so many Christmas themed gifts you can gift each year. Fontanini is known for their beautiful Nativity sets and while buying a whole set at once can be quite pricy, buying a piece or two each year as a gift will result in a full set one day. I also love that they are plastic so children can enjoy playing with them and you don’t have to worry about them breaking them.
Gifting a Waterford, Christopher Radko, or one of Neiman Marcus’ annual ornaments are elegant and timeless. If the year isn’t engraved on it, perhaps you can write the date on it. Camille’s Creations are more playful and childlike. Have her paint what your child loves that year (soccer, dance, bunnies!).
Let’s not forget the beauty of a handwritten letter. Remember when Reese Witherspoon posted that beautiful box filled with letters she wrote her daughter and presented to her on her 18th birthday? This is something you can start at any time and is so meaningful.
Lee
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