How do you define the perfect Christmas gift? Experience says the gifts that are appreciated the most are usually the ones that reflect a knowledge of the person who is receiving the gift, rather than what’s "hot" in a particular year or what the giver would like to receive themselves. Sometimes we need to dig deep to understand what really makes a person tick and once we do, we may have to think outside the box to find them a special gift that will make their face light up.

The Meerschaum Pipe as the Perfect Christmas Gift

ot everyone shares the same tastes and wouldn’t it be a boring world if they did! If you have a relative or friend on your Christmas list who's been notoriously difficult to buy for in the past and is known to enjoy a bowl of tobacco from time to time (or maybe a little more often!), perhaps a meerschaum pipe is exactly the type of gift that would win their appreciation.

Made from the mineral sepiolite - a clay-like material sometimes found floating on the surface of the Black Sea (“Meerschaum” being German for “foam of the sea”) - Meerschaum pipes are not just smoking instruments, many are exquisite works of art hand-carved by talented craftsmen. Meerschaum pipes often become valuable collector’s items as well and have a colorful historical and cultural legacy that is fascinating to history buffs.

Caring for That Meerschaum Pipe Christmas Gift

When someone receives a meerschaum pipe as a gift they’ll also need to have the tools and accessories necessary to care for and store it properly. Those listed below are a few that we'd recommend and would make for excellent accompanying gifts, or perhaps ideas for future birthdays or Christmases. Wax - Meerschaum pipes need to be waxed on a regular basis to seal the naturally porous meerschaum and to aid in the gradual accretion of the pipe’s renowned patina. The following types of wax are recommended.

• Beeswax - Beeswax has a relatively high melting point and is commonly available which makes it both a smart and easy choice.
• Carnauba wax - Carnauba wax has a higher melting point than conventional beeswax and for that reason is the wax of choice for many meerschaum pipe owners.
• Montan wax - Montan wax has the benefit of a very high melting temperature and is revered my many pipe smokers for its ability to color the pipe beautifully.

Cleaning Materials - The pipe will need to be kept clean inside and out in order to function at an optimal level, allowing you to enjoy a great smoke, month after month, year after year. To keep the meerschaum pipe clean you’ll need:

• A reamer - So much cake may accumulate on the inside of the bowl that the pipe becomes nearly unusable. In order to prevent this you’ll need to periodically ream the bowl.
• Standard pipe cleaners - Standard pipe cleaners will allow the air in your pipe to flow without disruption and ward off the build-up of residue in the shank and stem.
• Shank brushes - Shank brushes scrub away any build-up that standard pipe cleaners might not be able to handle. Sturdy and reusable, they are the workhorses of the pipe cleaning kit.
• Felt cleaning cloth - After cleaning the pipe’s interior, wipe down the exterior gently but thoroughly with a felt cloth to remove any dirt, grime or oils that may have accumulated.

Other accessories we recommend include:

• Wind cap - Keeping everything in the bowl and properly burning outdoors can be a challenge if there’s a wind up. Cover your bowl with a wind cap and keep everything working perfectly.
• Pipe tamper - Some folks will not want to be tamping down their favorite leaf with their fingers. A tamper will pack everything just right for a nice slow, even burn.
• Pipe rack - Just laying a hand carved meerschaum on the table when finished doesn’t seem right. A pipe rack will allow for the proper display and storage of the pipe until needed again.
• Pipe ashtray - Empty your meerschaum into a specially designed pipe ashtray and keep everything neat and tidy. Pipe ashtrays also provide a place to rest the pipe when need be.

Remember:

• When lighting, try not to char the rim of the bowl.
• Allowing too much cake to accumulate on the interior of the bowl can cause it to split.
• Don’t clean the shank directly after smoking. Let the pipe dry for a day or so first.
• Meerschaum is brittle so make sure not to tap the pipe on hard surfaces and try not to drop it.
• Keep a handkerchief handy to hold the pipe in case it should get too hot to hold comfortably with the bare hand.

Paykoc Imports carries one of the largest selections of meerschaum pipes you’ll find anywhere, in addition to many of the pipe accessories we've discussed in this post. If you’re looking for the perfect Christmas gift for that discerning individual, take the time to browse our extensive collection of meerschaum pipes where history, art, craftsmanship and leisure come together.