Hilary Mantel
When I was married I was given a pair of exquisitely embroidered Irish linen sheets, a nightmare high-maintenance gift. It took two hours to iron them. It’s been 39 years and I still think of them with hatred. I hope the best things I’ve given were book dedications to family and friends. Maybe the best gift I’ve received was a gold Cartier pen which my husband gave me, as an act of faith, after my first book was accepted.
Jim O’Neill
Being raised as a child on Styal Road in Gatley was best gift I ever received , as the road was divided down the middle between Cheshire and Manchester. We were on the Manchester side and it meant I had to attend primary and junior school in Wythenshaw a tough upbringing. It had a profound influence on my development and life.
Tessa Jowell
Best gift: pictures my 2 children beautifully photographed.? Worst: a pot of 3 year old home made marmalade in a sticky jar.
More: Jemima Khan, Jon Snow and others tell Prospect about their best presents—and the worst—here
When I was married I was given a pair of exquisitely embroidered Irish linen sheets, a nightmare high-maintenance gift. It took two hours to iron them. It’s been 39 years and I still think of them with hatred. I hope the best things I’ve given were book dedications to family and friends. Maybe the best gift I’ve received was a gold Cartier pen which my husband gave me, as an act of faith, after my first book was accepted.
Jim O’Neill
Being raised as a child on Styal Road in Gatley was best gift I ever received , as the road was divided down the middle between Cheshire and Manchester. We were on the Manchester side and it meant I had to attend primary and junior school in Wythenshaw a tough upbringing. It had a profound influence on my development and life.
Tessa Jowell
Best gift: pictures my 2 children beautifully photographed.? Worst: a pot of 3 year old home made marmalade in a sticky jar.
More: Jemima Khan, Jon Snow and others tell Prospect about their best presents—and the worst—here
