When a simple handbag becomes an enduring heirloom

I pride myself on my ability to give a good gift.

Throughout the year, I listen for clues from family members to make sure that Christmas morning is filled with ‘Oh, wow, how did you know that?

When a friend tells me she is expecting a second child, I rush to my local bookstore for a copy of You Were My First, which has never failed to elicit immense gratitude (and tears).

I'm the friend people turn to when they don't know what gift to give someone else, which probably goes a long way to explaining why I work at Wirecutter. I started recommending products at a young age.

Over the years I have focused my energy on giving gifts, but when it comes to receiving them, there is one gift that will always bring me gratitude (and tears). I opened it when my first son turned one.

My mother-in-law's best friend, whom my oldest son adorably nicknamed ‘Marma,’ gave us an L.L.Bean Boat and Tote for his first birthday. I remember seeing S-U-L-L-L-I-V-A-N written in a classic blue font, fitting for both him (his first name) and me (my last name). And I instantly realised that it was everything a gift should be: practical and meaningful.

According to Kit Dillon, one of Wirecutter's travel experts, this bag, one of the top picks in our guide to the best handbags, will last a lifetime. Its simplicity - no frilled pockets or zips - contributes to its effectiveness, Kit says.

Read more in NYTIMES.