Vintage Holiday Gift Guide
Dec 9, 2015 | by Becky Oeltjenbruns
The Cause A Frockus tree
It’s that time of year again: the hustle and bustle of holiday shopping is upon us, special meals are cooked and lovingly prepared, some of us get that first dusting of snow, and we are reminded of all the things we’re thankful for. That’s a lot of memories and activities to cram into one month!
Perhaps in all this excitement the hustle and bustle of shopping feels daunting. That’s a perfectly normal reaction. By now those unruly crowds at the department store probably have you wondering if this is the season for cheer and goodwill toward men. Not to mention that it can be hard to find a present for all the special people in your life. (Especially a gift that is thoughtful and won’t break the bank.) Have no fear brave shopper, the Cause A Frockus vintage holiday gift guide is here to help you find just the thing for all the loved ones on your list!
From the Cause A Frockus collection
You’ve already made your first smart decision: buying vintage. Shopping at vintage stores (both online and in person) connects you with real people rather than global corporations. If you frequent a local shop you’re treated to an atmosphere of unique items arranged in thoughtful ways, fun discoveries around every corner, and the knowledge that what you spend goes right back into your community. (Oh yeah and the side bonus: sustainability!) If you’re looking for shops in your area, please consult our directory. We’re always looking to add to it so if you have a shop you can personally recommend to our vintage community, drop us an email or a comment below. Let’s stroll through our list of the top vintage gifts for this season…
For the music lover in your life
For the friend whose idea of a great night is a concert or a glass of wine and some tunes, you can’t go wrong with some classic vinyl records. Great places to find these include shops, Goodwill, and my favorite haunt: Half Price Books. Not only will these records sound lovely, but often times the cover art itself is beautiful enough to display. Learn more about record care in this helpful post. If your friend doesn’t have their own vintage stereo system, Amazon has some inexpensive portable turntables with real retro flair.
For the gamer in your life
Everyone has that friend – maybe they’re part of an online gaming community or love to grab a crew for Pictionary and some tasty beverages. Bottom line: they love games and finding obscure retro titles is a great way to help them start a swoon-worthy collection. We’ve waxed poetic on vintage games before – here and here. And for that gamer who has a nostalgic streak for video arcades – check out this article before you start shopping.
Beautiful gold and white
For the ladies in your life
Vintage costume jewelry is a great option for all the women on your list. It’s fun to shop for, easy to find, and relatively inexpensive. The tweens in your life will love the nice sound of bakelite bangles (so fetch!), moms and aunts will love the versatility of a classic brooch, and your sisters will love a statement necklace for date nights. Cause A Frockus has several posts on collecting costume jewelry and if you find a piece that’s marked – look up their history in our search bar. The more you learn about the designer, the more of a conversation piece your find becomes.
For the artistic people in your life
I know I’m biased, but I think vintage is such a treasure trove of inspiration! From reading passages in books written generations ago to watching films from the early days of cinema and touching fragile items that were made in a completely different time, vintage is history. And history is pretty amazing. Find a copy of a groundbreaking movie or book from long ago and gift it to your nearest and dearest. But don’t just slap a bow on it and call it good – make a movie date or set up a book club. Connect with your friend months later and talk about what you both found inspiring or were surprised by in the book or movie. Taking that extra time to be with someone – especially after the holiday rush has cooled – shows just how much you care and it keeps your connection strong. And that’s the joy of this time of year and vintage itself.
For our readers: what are some of your vintage go-to gifts for the holiday season? Any favorite stocking stuffer ideas? Share in the comments…