But for individuals with higher-value personal assets, those eagerly-anticipated gifts under the tree deserve a bit more attention than the lovely bow which adorns it.

Luxury watches, unique jewellery, top-end tech and premium fashion don’t just run the risk of being dropped in the trifle over the Christmas dinner, but even once the baubles have been packed away, there’s always the risk of theft, loss or accidental damage.

Here are some things to bear in mind to make sure those precious Christmas gifts are protected, without having to talk to your loved ones about insurance. We know that would take the shine off things a bit on Christmas morning.

Protect your home

Even if you’re not going away over Christmas, it’s more than likely you’ll be out visiting friends and family, or meeting up at restaurants. Having spoken to your broker about your new items – because you spoke to your broker, of course – make the effort to lock them away or at least put them out of sight while your property is empty. If you are going to be away for a few days, ask someone you trust to keep an eye on the place, and make sure you have alarms and security systems properly activated. There are also concierge services available which will look after your things if you won’t be around for a while. Don’t advertise via social media that you’re hundreds of miles away – the pictures can wait until you get back home. On that note…

Resist the gram

Thieves are well-aware that people like to show off their new items via social media, and will actively monitor accounts to see who’s out at that exclusive bar with a new special edition Omega. More than 6000 watches were stolen in London during 2022, so this is a real issue which the watch industry is working to address – one pre-owned watch specialist has set up a global register encouraging owners and retailers to authenticate valuable timepieces. You don’t want to make this easier for thieves. Make sure anyone receiving a new watch or other valuable gift – perhaps younger family members in particular – aren’t too eager to share their good fortune in a public forum.

Take extra care on holiday

If you’re jetting off for a winter break with a cherished new item in tow, it’s worth being extra vigilant. Luxury destinations are often seen as rich pickings for thieves. We’re not suggesting you should ruin special experiences with loved ones by furtively watching over their shoulders every other second, but it’s worth being aware of where bags, phones and other valuable are being set down or displayed. In the buzz of a busy restaurant or bar, especially if a few festive libations are involved, it’s easy to find yourself on the wrong end of some unwanted attention. It’s also fairly common to leave things behind in the middle of all the festive high spirits. With all this in mind, it might even be a good idea to leave new, precious items safely locked up at home.

Keep a record

Make sure you’ve had jewellery and watches professionally valued. Take pictures of your valuable items, note down serial numbers of things like watches, and keep your receipts. If you do have to claim, having an up-to-date record of your cherished possessions will make it much easier to resolve things quickly.

Speak to your broker

This might sound a little obvious coming from a broker, but it’s the quickest and simplest way of making sure your new items are properly covered. UK households are underinsured to the tune of hundreds of billions, according to research released earlier this year. Adding higher-value items to your household makes it even more likely that your cover is no longer fit for purpose. It’s better to find that out now than when those expensive earrings don’t make it home after the new year’s eve party.

Blackford is a specialist insurance broker for private individuals with high-value or unusual assets. As well as cars, property, jewellery and watches, our expert brokers can advise on arranging the right cover for collections of art, wine, whisky and many other specialist items. Our team can also recommend suppliers of high-quality alarm systems, safes and other security measures.

For more information, contact Michael Gregson, Blackford’s head of private client insurance: michael.gregson@blackfordinsurance.com, or private client manager, Laura Sims: laura.sims@blackfordinsurance.com.