I have a very first world problem but I need to make a decision

[BerylBurton]

I need to choose a long service award from my employer. I can chose anything with a value of up to £200, but not lottery tickets or premium bonds.

I have no idea what I want!

I'd like a "thing" rather than an experience. I really love my job, and I'd like a souvenir of it to remember it fondly in my retirement - probably 12-15 away. I really dislike spa days, and don't have fancy nails or make up. Or hair. I spend a lot of my life on a construction site wearing a hard hat, Restaurant/theatre vouchers would be difficult as we have no babysitter

My "thing" is outdoor sports, but I have everything I really need, and not really enough time to use them or wear them out. For years I thought I'd ask for Ortlieb bike panniers, then we won a load of bike luggage

I'm not into bags, watches etc, although I do like contemporary silver jewellery.(I might not be having this problem if Links of London still existed).

DH is a massive early adopter of technology and I'm not really into tech.

Our towels, pans and knives are all getting on a bit, but dh is insistent that I spend on myself.

I'm not getting pots and pans. I resent cooking. Long story, only veggie in a family of carnivores, also the only cook..... that's a story for another thread.

I like the art suggestion xx

I used my long service aware and bought some olive trees for my garden. I'm not a big gardener, but they look great three years on and don't take much looking after. I like sitting out in the sun and appreciating them.

I have both, and agree.
Swiss Army knife was a 21st birthday present from my dad, who died shortly after. His Swiss Army knife was a 21st birthday present from his dad.

Ooh I like a Swiss army knife. Another idea is a clock. Not a carriage clock 😁 but a nice wall clock that you really love.

Holiday company voucher?

Jewellery recommendation for you

claudiabradby.com/

A piece of jewellery from Astley Clarke or Monica Vinader. Astley Clarke engraves some pieces for free too. I just bought a lovely Monica Vinader bangle that would be in that budget.

Some jewellery by Sheila Fleet.

A watch

An antique?

I love Carrie Elizabeth Jewellery!

I'd go for something simple and classy like this
https://www.julianstephens.com/products/polished-sterling-silver-cuff?pos=2&&sid=1336e65c3&ss=r

Clogau jewellery?

I definitely think nice piece of jewellery. I did get a silver frame for a long service award, but the problem is they look shit if you don't polish them. Turns out I am not a polisher.

When I was in a similar position I went for garden centre vouchers which I used for garden furniture.

Sadly left it with the ex..... But as I am about to buy a flat, not like I could really use it......

The jewellery idea is nice - or I was thinking what about a nice piece of pottery or art? £200 could potentially get something quite special by a local artist or designer - might even be enough to commission a work by someone talented but up and coming......

I would choose a lamp, a kindle, a candle and a book voucher if there was anything left.

Can you choose a voucher?
Say for example John Lewis cause then you can choose from food, alcohol, clothes or electrical when something you fancy comes to mind.

Another Georg Jensen fan here. A look from afar fan because I can't afford anything from the company.

I think a good piece of silver jewellery would be a lovely thing.

I would go for the trees or some very special rose bushes as everytime you pass they would be a reminder and put a smile on your face . Or a sculpture for the garden.

Could you go for something civic-minded like a bench or trees/garden planted in your name in a public space? Especially if you are outdoorsy.

Outdoor sport: I'd be thinking something like neoprene separates or new boots or a fab jacket. Since you're into cycling, some fab new jerseys.

Good walking boots? I have a pair of Salomons that have been up Ben Nevis, Scafell, Snowdon, on loads of hikes all over the world. Just lacing them up to go for a stomp up the local hill reminds me happily of all the gorgeous walks they've done. They'd be about £200.

Ooh let us know if you start a thread.

I think the art suggestion is brilliant. You don’t need much space at all. A small piece of art could easily cost that.

now I’m curious about what people are doing with super powerful binoculars 😂

I have several pieces from John Garland Taylor and they are beautiful quality! Highly recommend.

I recently had my work long service bonus, I got some decent pans (ours were on the way out) and bookshelves for all my books, this made me v happy, with the leftover money dd for a bedside unit. All v practical but v useful and appreciated (I spend breakfasts admiring my beautiful full shelves 😁)

Let us know if you start a thread on this! I’m just nosy, but being the only veggie in a family of meat eaters, and being the cook, sounds pretty awful (depending on how much you dislike meat of course … but at the very least it’s extra work and tedious to have to cook separate meat /veggie meals)