As the festive season soon approaches, many of us face the annual challenge of finding the perfect Christmas gifts for our loved ones. With the high street and online stores brimming with mass-produced items, it can be hard to come up with something truly unique and meaningful. So this year, why not step away from the ordinary and turn your attention to a treasure trove of hidden gems, like an auction house?
Attending an auction or bidding online with Potteries Auctions offers a refreshing and exciting alternative to the usual holiday shopping experience. Whether you’re looking for something with a story, catering to a niche passion or hoping to find a unique piece with sentimental value, an auction provides endless possibilities. You may even discover that the joy of bidding becomes a new holiday tradition! Here’s why going to auction could be the best decision you make for your Christmas shopping, especially if your friends and family have niche interests.
Unique and personalised gifts
No two items at an auction are ever quite the same, which means you’re guaranteed to find something distinctive. Imagine gifting a vintage timepiece to a watch enthusiast, a rare vinyl to a music lover, or a beautifully restored piece of antique furniture to someone with a passion for interior design. Auctions are rich with unique items that aren’t available in high street shops, allowing you to gift something truly personal this Christmas.
Niche interests catered for
Do you have someone on your Christmas list who’s impossible to shop for? Perhaps a family member with an obscure hobby or a friend with very specific tastes? Auctions are the ideal hunting ground for those hard-to-buy-for loved ones. Whether it’s comic book memorabilia, military collectibles, old sporting equipment or vintage fashion, auctions cater to a wide variety of niche interests. From collectors to hobbyists, you’ll likely find the perfect quirky item that reflects their passion.
Eco-friendly and sustainable shopping
In a world increasingly conscious of sustainability, auctions present a brilliant opportunity to shop in an eco-friendly way. Buying pre-loved or antique items not only reduces waste, but also breathes new life into objects with history and character. This makes your gifts not only unique but also kind to the environment – a win-win for the conscientious gift giver!
Surprising value for money
Auctions are often associated with rare antiques or expensive artwork, but they’re much more accessible than many people realise. With a little savvy bidding, you can pick up incredible pieces at surprisingly affordable prices. At Potteries Auctions, we offer a broad range of items across various price points, from valuable antiques to quirky vintage finds. You may just discover a hidden gem that costs a fraction of what you’d spend on a mass-market gift, but holds far more sentimental or aesthetic value.
The thrill of the hunt
There’s something undeniably exciting about the auction experience itself. The competition of bidding and the anticipation of winning make for a shopping experience unlike any other. Even if you’re browsing online auctions from the comfort of your home, it’s a fun, engaging way to track down Christmas gifts that are full of character – adding a sense of adventure to your holiday preparations.
A story behind every item
One of the most enchanting aspects of buying at auction is the sense of history behind each item. Whether it’s a beautiful piece of jewellery, an old book or a piece of art, many auction finds come with a rich backstory. Imagine gifting your partner a vintage map that once hung in a historic estate, or presenting a friend with an antique teapot that’s been lovingly used for generations. Every item has a tale to tell, making your gift all the more special and meaningful.
Support local businesses and independent sellers
By shopping at an auction, you’re often supporting independent sellers, collectors or auction houses such as ourselves that rely on local business. Instead of pouring money into global retail giants, you’re contributing to a more local and sustainable economy. This makes auction shopping feel more community-oriented and thoughtful, especially during the festive season when supporting local businesses is more important than ever.
Timelessness and longevity
The best gifts are the ones that stand the test of time. Items purchased at auction often have a quality and craftsmanship that simply can’t be found in contemporary retail. Antique furniture, vintage jewellery and collectible items are built to last and have already endured the test of time. By gifting something with historical value, you’re not only offering a beautiful present, but also giving a gift that will be cherished for years to come.
Check our some of our recently sold lots below for some Christmas gifting inspiration. No matter what you’re looking for, at Potteries Auctions we’re confident that you’ll be able to find the perfect Christmas gift at auction with us.
This lot of 20 WWII-period military maps, booklets and pamphlets (mainly Army and Naval related) would be perfect for any history buff in your life with an avid interest in the WWII era. It included War Map no. 2 The Rhine Front, Coastal Command, His Majesty’s Submarines, Royal Marines 1939-43, BBC Calling All Nations, Libya 1940-41, British Railways at Peace and War and other really interesting titles. It sold for just £25 – a real steal for a thoughtful Christmas gift.
Another great gift for any WWII history enthusiast, this lot of WWII medals, comprising of Victory, Defence, a France & Germany Star and a 1939-1945 star, sold for £30 at our July 2024 three-day auction.
This Marilyn Monroe: The Complete Last Sitting rare hardback book includes 2571 photographs taken by Bert Stern, renowned 60s fashion photographer, over the course of a three-day sitting. It was the last time Marilyn would pose in front of a camera before her tragic passing. A great present for anybody with an avid interest in pop culture, fashion or photography, it sold for £180 at our July auction.
This collection of good condition Beatles vinyl and LPs included many classics that were also 1st pressings. Perfect for any music lover, vinyl collector or Beatles superfan, the lot sold for £170!
Maybe you know somebody that loves to collect advertising signs and memorabilia, or perhaps somebody with a mancave or pub shed where these pieces would look right at home. Lot 1509 (top) at our July auction consisted of three enamel advertising signs, including Mountain Dew, Oxo and Harley-Davidson, and sold for £70. Lot 1515 (bottom) was an original Admiral Benbow Jamaican Rum advertising mirror that found a new home for £85.
This Westminster collection 1840 Penny Black stamp in a leather wallet, complete with a certificate of authenticity, would make any stamp collector’s day. It sold for £120.
Have a loved one with a taste for taxidermy? Lot 1500 (top) in our July 2024 auction included two Victorian Ornithological Taxidermy studies of exotic birds in flight and sold for £140. Meanwhile Lot 1501 (bottom), a Tawny Owl Taxidermy study in a naturalistic woodland box setting, sold for £170.
These Swarovski crystal Disney figures would make any Disney diehard in your life feel special come Christmas day. The Minnie Mouse Swarovski figure sold for £260, while the Mickey Mouse Swarovski figure sold for £400!
Lot 322 from our September Cobridge auction included these boxed Dinky Toys – a 933 Leyland cement wagon and a 956 Turntable Fire Escape with windows. Perfect for any Dinky Toys collector or lover of collectible automobiles, this little play worn set sold for just £22.
Any lover of children’s literature would appreciate this copy of The Adventures of Pinocchio, signed by the illustrator, Francis Wainwright, and complete with an original signed painting. This charming lot sold for just £65 – an absolute steal, we say!
How to buy Christmas gifts at auction
At Potteries Auctions, we hold regular auctions across our two saleroom sites – Silverdale and Cobridge – every month. We also hold specialist Fine Art sales that normally take place across several days, with the next one being in November – so just in time for Christmas!
Check out our upcoming auctions and scroll through the online catalogues we have available to see if something catches your eye, or subscribe to our newsletter to stay updated on all the best upcoming lots.
If you have any questions, or are looking for something specific, then please don’t hesitate to get in touch with our friendly, knowledgeable team who are more than happy to help. Email us on enquiries@potteriesauctions.com, or call us on +44 (0)1782 638100 Monday to Friday, 9am to 4pm.