This Christmas, I wanted to give my son Nico and his wife Charlotte something more than a gift. I wanted to give them a story. Not the kind you read, but the kind you live, touch, and feel.

That’s when I remembered Kintsugi. My dear friend Irina had once sent me an article about this beautiful Japanese philosophy. Kintsugi is the art of repairing broken pottery with gold, but it’s also a way of looking at life. It teaches us that cracks and flaws aren’t something to hide. They’re part of our story—moments that shape us, strengthen us, and make us unique.

Inspired by this, I decided to give Nico and Charlotte a Kintsugi repair set. But I wanted it to be more than a kit. I wanted it to be an experience. So, I wrote them a story to go along with it—a message about love, patience, and finding beauty in imperfection.

To make it even more special, I’ve found an old Bavarian vase to be included in the gift. I've found it in a secondhand shop as I wanted it to carry its own story. I like the thought that, just like us, it’s already been through something.

This gift isn’t just for them—it’s for all of us. A reminder that life’s cracks aren’t the end. They’re the beginning of something more beautiful. The cracks in our lives don’t make us less. They make us more.

Cracks of gold