When you are one of the most powerful couples in the world, can afford anything in the world, and have the world at your beck and call… what do you get as a gift for your loved ones?
This was the challenge Jay-Z and Beyonce faced for Christmas this year when choosing for Jay-Z’s grandmother, Hattie White
Overlooking diamonds, jewels, cars, houses, holidays and the other accoutrements of the rich and famous, the music moguls bought something much more special.
A wooden bench.
A bench like most others.
But this wooden bench caused a sensation on social media, and had people across the globe swooning at the majesty of the gift.
Why?
Because the present was finished with a custom engraving, making it a wonderfully moving tribute to a much-loved woman.
The family was photographed presenting the gift in it’s new home, Prospect Park in New York.
On the bench, the personalised message reads:
“Someone is sitting in the shade today because someone planted a tree a long time ago. With love and admiration to our root, Hattie White”
The grandmother has had a strong influence on both Sean Carter and Beyonce.
She was most recently directly referenced on Jay-Z’s Meek Mill’s track, “What’s Free”, where the rapper confessed:
“To this day, Grandma ‘fraid what I might say.”
Previously, she was part of the inspiration to Beyonce’s Lemonade album when she said at her 90th birthday:
“I was served lemons, but I made lemonade.”
As with all things in life, the most valuable things are not the ones that carry the most expensive price tag, and from all accounts the famous grandma was delighted with her gift.
While we might not offer park benches at Engravers Guild, we take great care to select and curate items that help to deliver a special message.