Real stories · The present I kept

I bought my daughter's Christmas present in September — then kept it

A Christmas present so nice I kept it and ordered another — that's the honest confession behind this jewellery set. I'm 67, and every December ends the same way: the good presents all found in a panic in the last week, and me giving jewellery I'd never actually wear myself. This year I swore I'd have the daughters-and-granddaughter sorted by October.

I was doing so well. Then the parcel arrived.

It was the Leirene from a British label called York Boutique — a matching necklace and bracelet in a rose-gold tone, a soft braided-wave design set with tiny crystals all along it. There's a silver tone as well, and the fit adjusts, which takes the guesswork out of giving it.

The matching is the quiet genius. Because the two pieces are made as a set, they do the styling themselves — which is why it goes on over a jumper in the morning without a single decision — and the little crystals along the braid catch lamplight and candlelight beautifully without ever shouting. Light enough to forget, dressy enough for the season's tables.

A matching necklace and bracelet in soft rose-gold tone with crystals down the braid — which is why the styling is already done, and why the 'present' never made it to the wrapping paper.

It's £29.95, half the usual £60 — which is precisely how one intended present became three orders: one kept, two back in the drawer for Christmas, properly this time. A fortnight to send it back and free delivery, though mine was never in danger.

It has since done a birthday dinner and three ordinary days over a jumper, catching the candlelight at the dinner to the point where my daughter reached across and turned the bracelet over on my wrist. 'Is this MY Christmas present?' she asked. It was. Now it's mine, and hers is in the drawer.

If your Christmas list also includes women who deserve better than panic-jewellery, do have a look — and order early enough to keep one. The Leirene is rated 4.7 out of 5 by more than 180 women, it comes in rose-gold or silver tone — and at half price, with the gift season coming, the sets go quickly.