Balancing Act: Green patent leather shoes. A world atlas. Forgiveness. The gifts that stay with us for a lifetime

So much about gift-giving is rushed: the shopping, the wrapping, the opening.

What sticks? What sort of gift has the power to not just delight in the moment, but linger for the long term? Move with us through life? Change us a little bit, when we open it and forevermore?

I asked friends and colleagues and readers to tell me their most cherished gift ever. It could be a material item, or not. Given at a holiday, or not. The answers are lovely and, often, unexpected. Maybe they'll inspire an idea or two for you this season.

"My 28-year-old daughter gave me a signed copy of Michelle Obama's book, "Becoming." She stood in line for four hours to get it. She said it was the perfect interface