Gifts and Mementos to Mark a Diamond Jubilee

It's been six decades since Queen Elizabeth II took the British throne. For a monarch to serve so long is a truly rare event.

The Diamond Jubilee Souvenir Album has been produced with access to the Royal Archives. Over 300 photographs tell Elizabeth's story, from birth until the present day. These include personal images, not taken at the time for the general public, but for the Royal Family itself.

It also covers the history of Diamond Jubilees. This is an historic occasion, which has only been seen once before in Britain. In 1897, Queen Victoria became the first. Queen Elizabeth II is just the second to reign so long.

The cork-backed coasters are hand-made in Britain. They are just two of a wide selection, which could end up gracing dining tables across the world.

The designs upon them range from patriotic reverence, through to highly amusing slogans and images. They are bound to put a smile onto the faces of your guests.

Meanwhile, Diamond Jubilee cutlery comes either as single items, or in keepsake presentation cases. The collection pictured above is silver-plated.

One of the more unusual Diamond Jubilee mementos comes, quite literally, in the shape of the Queen and Prince Philip themselves.

Between 170-182cm high, they will stand life-sized to welcome guests into your home. How could you possibly do without them?!

The cardboard couple are easily assembled, then fold away later for storage. They are self-supporting, so you won't need to tack them to a wall. 

In addition, the package includes a 25x20cm gloss finish, professionally rendered photograph from the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II.

When anyone thinks of the array of merchandise associated with any major royal event, they focus first on the mugs. It's practically the standard by which everything else is held. As a British woman, it's a mug that I have packed away in my kitchen cupboard!

What could be more British than a nice cup of tea? That probably explains the popularity of cups and other ceramics above all other Diamond Jubilee items.

Naturally, these range right across the spectrum in quality. The best companies are Wedgwood or the other Staffordshire based kilns. There is a whole area up there called the Potteries for good, historic reason!

However, Royal Worcester is also a well-respected brand. Their porcelain often turns up in antique auctions, with a local museum showing examples from  the 18th century.

The Spode Blue Room Diamond Jubilee Queen Elizabeth II Mug has been made in a limited edition of 5000. These are the kind of details that you need to watch out for, when deciding what to purchase for future profit. The number one reason why some merchandise doesn't make the grade is because they were mass produced at the time.

Every British house is liable to end up with at least one mug during the Diamond Jubilee year of 2012. Patriotic frenzy will be further stoked by the coming of the London Olympics, so it'll all mix together.

Now, more tea?