Bidding To Make Christmas Shopping Better

As Christmas approaches, we are all looking forward to celebrating it fully for the first time in three years.  No doubt many of you have already embarked on your Christmas shopping, and may be wandering around the county’s High Streets wondering what on earth to buy your loved ones this year.

Finding something original and thoughtful is always a challenge.  Retailers know this, which is why the shops are full of specially-packaged, overpriced gifts which few people would ever buy for themselves, and which are probably destined for regifting, a charity shop, or landfill.

Seeking out the unique in a world of High Street chains stores is increasingly difficult, which is why we have noticed a significant trend in the saleroom: alongside the collectors and traders, we are seeing more and more people seeking out that truly individual present.

The growth in consumers attending auctions is the reason our monthly Antiques & Interiors Sale is now held on a Saturday.  But even midweek sales are attracting ordinary bidders, many of whom take part via the live online bidding platform.

As well as decorative items for the home, other categories of lots which are proving popular with gift buyers are toys and jewellery.  Whilst children will always want the latest must-have, on-trend toy, many of the vintage toys are bought for adults, who enjoy  being reminded of the things they played with when they were younger.

Buying jewellery at auction means avoiding the eye-watering mark-ups charged by retail jewellers, and such sales often see exquisite vintage jewellery which you will never see on the High Street.  These don’t necessarily need to be the most precious stones and metals; early 20^th century enamel jewellery is particularly popular, and eminently affordable.  Most importantly, jewellery bought at auction is genuinely unique, and demonstrates that some real thought and effort has gone into the present.

It is often the lots which see bidding run into the thousands which make the headlines, but the fact is that auctions are a treasure trove of unique, affordable things to buy – and hence the perfect way of avoiding High Street Christmas shopping misery.

Keys Auctioneers and Valuer has a week of Sales in December ideal for those last-minute Christmas gifts.  It kicks off with a Pictures Sale on Friday 9^th December; the monthly Antiques & Interiors Sale takes place on Saturday 10^th December; there is a Jewellery Sale on Tuesday 13^th December; this is followed by a Toys Sale on Wednesday 14^th December.  All sales take place at Keys’ Aylsham salerooms, and live online at bid.keysauctions.co.uk.