The 2024 Very Vintage Gift Guide

Creative & sentimental gifts to and from vintage lovers

If you’re reading this, you’d probably love to receive a vintage gift this year. Being the vintage gift giver, however, can be harder than it sounds. These days I give vintage gifts more often than not, and I’ve found that there are a few key elements to getting it right: patience, thoughtfulness, and presentation.

Last year around this same time, I published my first Very Vintage Gift Guide. One of the best things about shopping secondhand is that you’re forced away from hyper-specific trends. Even the vintage version of something particularly of-the-moment will have its own timeless charm. Instead of thinking of this post as a new gift guide, think of it as an addition to last year’s. Sure, I’ve provided shopping links, but shopping secondhand is much more about ideas and concepts than simply choosing a colorway and adding to cart. You can find the 2023 Very Vintage Gift Guide here, and all of the suggestions are just as good a year later! Everything in this letter will be too :)

And if any of these ideas stand out to you, it’s smart to keep an eye out for these items all year around! You may spot the perfect thing for someone at a flea market or thrift store randomly, and you’ll be ready with a great gift the next time a special day comes around. Or, you may just find something gift-worthy and figure out a recipient for it when the time comes. Thinking of gifts often and in advance gives you a lot more time to find something genuine, instead of rushing to pick just to avoid showing up empty handed.

All of the items shown in the photo collages are linked at the end of this letter, exclusively for paid subscribers. Links are all listed from least to most expensive, including multiple items for under $10!

Idea #1: Vintage Craft Kits

When I was growing up, some of my favorite and most memorable gifts were craft kits. I made decorations for my room, I made mermaids out of tiny glass seed beads and wire, I made jewelry, I tie-dyed t-shirts. At some point I stopped getting craft kits, but I’ll be honest: I don’t think I ever really did outgrow them. Most crafty kids just turn into crafty adults, and there’s no better time than winter for a brand new activity.

That being said, this is a really great idea for all ages! There are kits appropriate for pretty much every age group, and crafts can make a fun group activity. If you’re visiting family for the holidays, introducing crafts can be a great way to bond with younger cousins or distant aunts, all while getting everyone away from the TV and iPads for a little while.

If you can’t seem find the perfect pre-packaged kit, consider making your own! Buy a craft book or download and print crafting patterns, then gather the necessary supplies and package it all up together yourself. Almost all of the supplies you’d need can probably be found secondhand via thrift stores, garage sales, flea markets, or online. I’ve come across countless brand new craft kits, lots of unused craft supplies, and tons of incredible vintage arts & craft books. If you’re opting for a kit, don’t forget to check the parts and instructions to make sure nothing vital is missing. If the kit requires additional supplies, consider providing them as part of the gift so it’s ready to use right away.

Idea #2: Keychains & Bag Charms

Baubles have been having a serious moment. From charm necklaces to bag charms, personalized accessories have been everywhere for the last few years. Enter: the humble keychain. To some, it’s a sad, plastic memory of gas stations and airports. But to the charm girlies, it’s everything.

I think a vintage keychain makes the perfect add-on gift for those situations when you just need a little something extra. Think stocking stuffer, gift topper, or gift-on-a-gift. If you’re giving someone a gift card, tickets, or a voucher, a keychain is a nice (but not too expensive) physical component so you’re still offering an object to unwrap. A keychain is also easy to attach to another gift, whether it be a new backpack, a pair of jeans, or simply the ribbon on top of a wrapped gift.

If your recipient has an affinity for a particular brand, a secondhand keychain can also be a more affordable way to gift something designer. Brands like Tiffany, Coach, Betsey Johnson, and Vivienne Westwood all make cute bag charms that can be found for pretty good prices secondhand.

Idea #3: Vintage Loungewear Sets

If you’ve been here with me for a while, you’ve probably already heard me talk about vintage pajamas. If you’re new here, prepared to be sick of me talking about vintage pajamas. Most nights, I’m shuffling around my apartment in a ratty old t-shirt. But some occasions call for nicer loungewear, and spending holiday around family is definitely one of the them.

One of my family’s few holiday traditions was a new pair of pajamas every year. We would all open our new PJ sets on Christmas Eve, which was genius for two reasons: opening a single gift helped tide over the anticipation for one last night, and we all looked very cute in our new sets for the dozens of bleary-eyed photos and videos that were taken very early the next morning.

Gifting clothes is generally pretty tricky unless you have really specific information and measurements, but vintage pajamas and loungewear avoid some of the classic pitfalls. Most pajama styles are more flexible with fit due to details like elastic waistbands or drawstrings. If you’re gifting to someone who is weary about secondhand clothing, I’ve come across tons of brand new vintage pajama sets online, still in their original packaging. Pajamas make a great gift for frequent travelers, new parents, or someone who might be adjusting to a new work-from-home lifestyle.

Idea #4: A Bottle & A Useful Accoutrement

A bottle of alcohol is a classic gift for a reason - sometimes a nice red or an interesting aperitif really is the perfect gift. Sure, it might seem boring. But it doesn’t have to be! Go beyond the bottle and add on a complimentary vintage item to match. Wine can be paired with an interesting vintage corkscrew, a beautiful set of cordial glasses are the perfect match for a digestif, and a weird bottle opener is the ideal partner for a make-your-own six pack from a local brewery. Your friend with the gorgeously curated bar cart will appreciate the new additions, and your sister that loves to host will love bringing out the “special” corkscrew at her famous dinner parties. Your grumpy uncle might even smile when he uses a giant brass fish to crack open his nightly Bud Light.

All of the items shown above are linked below, along with dozens more! These links were active at the time of publication, but always run the chance of selling out, ending, or being snagged by a fellow 1-800-VINTAGE reader who beat you to the punch. Some are currently on sale for the holiday weekend, and many sellers offer discounts for items that have been viewed or added to cart. I have the prices listed as they appeared at the time of compiling this newsletter. At the end of each section, I also include suggested keywords and phrases that may aid you in searching for additional items inspired by these ideas.