Last minute, last gasp ideas for festive present buys at auction

Fear not – there are still a clutch of auctions left before the big day where you can purchase something a little (or very) different.

Here are five suggestions, all with top estimates under £750.

Tea timing

You get a lot of bang for your buck with this matched three-piece Georgian silver teaset (pictured top) on offer at Gerrards of Lytham St Annes estimated at £500-700 on December 21-22.

It comprises a 17.5cm high teapot (hallmark for London 1806, maker Crispen Fuller); a 10.5cm milk jug hallmarked for London 1801; and 7.5cm sugar bowl, hallmark London 1819, maker JW-CW.

Bid for the three-piece Georgian silver teaset on thesaleroom.com.

Be a pinball wizard

Grandstand pinball wizard tabletop game - estimate £30-50 at Spicers on December 17.

Go retro in gaming terms thanks to this Grandstand Pinball Wizard tabletop electronic pinball, with power cable, estimated at £30-50. It is for sale at Old Goole, East Yorkshire, saleroom Spicers on December 17.

See the Grandstand Pinball Wizard tabletop electronic pinball on thesaleroom.com

Squeal with pleasure

Vintage Lawrie made Scottish Highland/military bagpipes - estimate £400-600 at East Bristol Auctions on December 17.

You could say this suggestion will be fun for all the family, but it probably wouldn’t be true. Estimated at £400-600 is a set of original vintage Lawrie made Scottish Highland/military bagpipes inscribed Lawrie Glasgow to the chanter stock. Housed in a wooden carry case.

On offer at East Bristol Auctions on December 17, they would make a lovely, unusual present. As long as you have a big field nearby for the recipient to practice.

Bid for the Lawrie made Scottish Highland/military bagpipes if you dare via thesaleroom.com.

Set sail

Glass sailing boat - estimate £70-90 at 1818 Auctioneers in a timed online sale closing on December 19.

Tradition has it that glass sailing boats such as this would have been created as ’friggers’ novelty pieces by Victorian glass blowers to use up the materials left over at the end of the day.

This one in opal, blue and yellow colour glass is offered at 1818 Auctioneers in Milnthorpe, Cumbria, as part of a timed online sale closing on December 19.

Estimate £70-90.

Check thesaleroom.com to view the glass sailing boat.

Sit comfortably

Victorian settee - estimate £300-500 at Gorringe's on December 20.

It may be a tad tricky to wrap but this final suggestion certainly has presence. Of a kind.

The Victorian carved rosewood double spoon back settee upholstered in deep buttoned scarlet velvet measures 2m long, is 96cm deep and 1.22m high.

At Lewes saleroom Gorringe’s on December 20 it is estimated at £300-500.

Bid for the Victorian carved rosewood double spoon back settee on thesaleroom.com.