A Vintage Christmas Gift Guide

Hi there! I hope your Thanksgiving was blessed 🙂 Ours certainly was. With a fire in the fireplace, the parade (DVR’d) on TV, and appetizers to feast on, you couldn’t ask for a more peaceful, relaxed atmosphere. The kids are fully into Black Thursday and Friday shopping, so they poured over newspaper ads while we all chatted and caught up with one another. I really love the holidays, but it wasn’t always that way. 

I used to have a whole long list of “should do’s,” but as I’ve mentioned in previous posts, I’ve worked diligently to simplify things as much as possible. Focusing on relationships–on connecting with each other and not needing everything to be “perfect”–has become a personal goal. This year a death in the family inadvertently brought that goal into new focus.

Putting family first and attending an out-of-state funeral on the Wednesday before Thanksgiving blessed my mother (who rode with us) and in turn blessed the branch of the family who had suffered the loss, and me as well. I had precious conversations with several cousins that deeply blessed me.

But how would Thanksgiving dinner be acquired, prepped, and cooked?

Well, I scaled dinner down and my sweet daughter did the shopping while we attended the funeral. (Thank goodness for texting! She learned so much about what to buy for a turkey dinner, lol.) I forgot to include any appetizer ingredients, so appetizers consisted of bean dip (I had all the ingredients), fruit kebobs, and left-over pizza cut into bite-size pieces. 

We had no fancy centerpiece as in years past, no homemade desserts, and no cute handmade favors. But we did share a satisfying meal, around a farmhouse table, with people we love. You don’t need much more than that, do you?

The gift-giving portion of the holidays can also be simplified in a few key ways:

• Buy all year long rather than wait until December,
• Keep a running list of gift ideas on your phone as you hear loved ones say, “Oh how I love xyz!”, and
• Order gifts online whenever possible.

So today I have some vintage gift ideas (buy from me or from  your favorite antique dealer) and some vintage-inspired gift ideas in my Vintage Christmas Gift Guide. Any purchase you make from the vintage-inspired ideas will result in a small commission for me, which I will greatly appreciate 🙂 

Related post: Vintage Christmas Gift Guide for Children: Toddler to Teen

Vintage Christmas Gift Guide: Jewelry

Vintage jewelry makes a lovely gift for a variety of reasons, not the least of which is it’s uniqueness. You won’t find a million of the same exact design, as you would with jewelry from Target or Macy’s.

Another reason is its quality. It’s an unfortunate reality that many of today’s products are not made to last. This sterling silver four-leaf clover bracelet would make a lovely gift. Available (in the Jewelry department).

Sterling silver Irish claddaugh rings aren’t just for the Irish, since the crown-in-hands design appeals to many and can be considered unisex. Available (in the Jewelry department).

How about a sweet pair of Sterling silver and turquoise drop earrings? Available (in the Jewelry department).

I fell in love with this striking vintage necklace but have neither the outfit nor the occassion to wear it. Perhaps you or one of your loved ones does? This Hollywood Regency style piece is available (in the Jewelry department).

Vintage Christmas Gift Guide: Farmhouse Style

Ironstone is almost universally loved by farmhouse style decorators, so a new piece for that special someone’s collection–even an overly large collection–is likely to be welcome. [Or maybe that’s just me??] This 7″ jar by Maddock & Co. England is available (in the Farmhouse department). (SALE PENDING)

Blue and white transferware, another highy sought after collectible, makes a lovely vintage gift. This ginger jar (from a London perfumery, “Floris”) could also serve as a gift container, say, for expensive truffles or other candy–yum. Available (in the Jewelry department).

A vintage ironstone cream and sugar set serves the dual function of decoration and utility. This pair by Royal Wessex England is available (in the Farmhouse department).

Vintage Christmas Gift Guide: Books

Leather books of almost any kind make handsome gifts, especially for anyone with an office, whether in or outside the home.

A stack of leather books in various shades adds a sumptuous air to the room and can serve as a “pedestal” to hold a unique or valuable object, like an important award, a set of scales, or piece of sculpture. Available (in the Book department).

For the biography or history lover on your list, Mark Twain by Ron Powers may make the perfect gift. Author Jay Parini says “The story of Twain’s life is the story of a nation itself, and it has never been told more vividly.” Available (in the Book department).

Vintage Christmas Gift Guide: Decorations

* This post contains affiliate links for product suggestions that may help you complete your Christmas gift list. If you click on a link and make any purchases at all, I will receive a small compensation (at no extra cost to you), for which I thank you very kindly!

There are a gazillion Christmas pillows out there, but this style with the buffalo plaid backdrop is among my favorites. I’m a big fan of both real and faux candles. Some situations just call for the faux variety, and this trio with Christmas tree decals would be perfect. Comes with a 6 hour timer, too.

I need these rusty metal deer and moose! Rust + animals with antlers = LOVE. They come in a pack of six (three of each variety).

What’s Christmas without a few hundred bottle brush trees in a rainbow of colors? If you’re wondering how to use them in your holiday decorating, check these posts: Darling bottle brush trees, bottled trees, bottle brush trees on blocks, and on spools.

These repro stenciled Shiny Brites promise to add that special vintage-something to your tree this year. Those silhouette-style images of vintage bells, angels, and typography will look just charming.

I would love to have this punched tin angel grace the top of my farmhouse-style tree. She’s absolute perfection.

I hope I’ve given you some useful Christmas gift ideas. Please, take a poke around my Vintage Blog Shop if you haven’t already. You may find the perfect gift for someone you love or perhaps for yourself–you deserve it 🙂

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