Haws Bearwood Brook Galvanised Watering Can

If the brief is a once-in-a-lifetime, keep-forever present, the Haws Bearwood Brook is our splurge pick. Haws has been making watering cans since 1886 and its metal range is still made in England (its workshop is in the West Midlands); this galvanised-steel model — sealed and powder-coated against corrosion — is built for established plants and faster general watering, with a long-reach spout and the oval tubular handle Haws is known for, which reviewers note keeps a full can balanced. Indicative pricing is from around £105 for the one-gallon (4.5 litre) version at Haws (it is sometimes discounted lower by other stockists), rising for the two-gallon can. It ranks behind the tools and the kneeler on value alone — this is a lot of money for a watering can — but on craftsmanship, looks and longevity it is the most special object here. The trade-off versus a plastic can is obvious cost and extra weight when full; what you gain is a genuine heirloom that should outlast its owner.