Pick the Perfect Gift

Visit this Tennessee farm, an hour south of Nashville, to shop for future family heirlooms.

We've often lamented, "They just don't make things like they used to." Well, it's time to eat our hats. On a Tennessee farm, we met a man who proved us wrong. Colonel Littleton makes gifts fine enough to be sold in Neiman Marcus catalogs, tough enough to last a lifetime, and timeless enough to hand down as heirlooms. If you're in search of the perfect gift, make a trip to see the Colonel.

Meet the Man

Foxfire Farm lies at the end of a gravel road in rural Lynnville. Inside, you can visit with the Colonel himself. With a handlebar mustache, wire spectacles, and a rabbit-fur felt hat, he looks just like the oldtimey sketch on his product tags.

The Colonel designs novel keepsakes inspired by inherited artifacts: leather travel bags, fountain pens, mother-of-pearl pocket knives, and money clips. Some, such as the leather phone holster ($50 and up), blend old and new ideas.

"We try to make things that are special," the Colonel says. "We don't have anything anybody needs. We're in the wantin' business."

His leather journals ($112.50), bags ($150 and up), and belts (from $73.25) are tanned in Tennessee. Rugged and refined, the leather gets prettier with time. Made by hand, this stuff is built to last.

Most products come with a story card. Pocket knives (from $40) tell the tale of the Colonel's first train ride to visit Grandpa, who rewarded him with an engraved whittling knife that he still treasures. Mailorder packages deliver a bonus-a Mini MoonPie and the story of "MoonPie and Caviar."

This season, splurge on a special gift that's bound to stay in the family. Things like this are never really owned, just borrowed from the next generation.

above: Find a classic gift for those who appreciate quality craftsmanship. left: Meet our favorite Colonel, and ask how he came by his nickname. You'll love his story.

Shopping for Quality

Make a short detour off I-65 to visit Foxfire Farm, an hour south of Nashville; www.colonellittleton.com or 1-800-842-4075. Editor's tip: To score half-price deals from the clearance table (discontinued and slightly blemished items), you'll have to go in person.

Copyright Southern Progress Corporation Dec 2006
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