An umbrella is a double-edged gift: everyone needs one, nobody feels like buying a good one. That’s exactly what makes it a good gift — as long as you choose one the person wouldn’t pick for themselves.
For someone who walks a lot in town
A double-canopy model of around 105 cm, with automatic opening and closing. The kind of umbrella you keep for years and never buy for yourself, because you make do with the €10 one from the station.
For someone who forgets everything
Two minis rather than one big one: one for the bag, one for the car. It’s the gift that really changes the daily life of someone who gets soaked three times a year.
For a parent
A big model of 150 cm or more. A school run in the rain with a child beside you and a school bag doesn’t fit under 100 cm.
For a golfer or someone who’s often outdoors
A 185 cm golf umbrella, with a foam handle that doesn’t slip in the rain. It serves on the golf course, at the side of a football pitch and at a market.
What’s best avoided
- The umbrella with a humorous message. You tire of it after three outings.
- The licensed character for a child. The child changes hero faster than the umbrella wears out.
- The very colourful model for someone whose tastes you don’t know. A plain, understated one goes with anything.
And the superstition?
In several countries, giving an umbrella is said to “bring bad luck” or “separate”, because in Chinese the word sounds like the word for “separation”. The usual fix: the person gives you a small coin, and the gift becomes a purchase. Slip it into the card; it raises a smile.
A wrapping tip
An umbrella gives itself away immediately by the shape of the parcel. If the surprise matters, put it in a bigger box, or give it with something else.
To choose, see our storm models, the minis and the large umbrellas.