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We’re less than two weeks from Christmas, so now is the time to wrap up holiday gift shopping if you haven’t already! In the event you need a few last minute gift ideas, I’ve rounded up a few of my favorite finds from this year that would make any vintage lover happy. From vintage-inspired makeup to books that explore the history behind vintage cocktail recipes and holiday traditions, these gifts will make the season a little more fabulous.
Vintage Cosmetics
Besame Cosmetics Mermaid Lagoon Pearl Shimmer Compact
Even in the dead of winter, the vintage lover can channel their inner mermaid with this powder compact inspired by the mermaids from the 1953 Disney classic, Peter Pan. The shell is an authentic 3D replica of the mermaid shells seen in the animated film! There are also oceanic swirls in the powder that add a nice touch. I’ve been wearing it for a few weeks and am a fan of how it seems to smooth out any imperfections on the face. ($38, besamecosmetics.com)
Anthropologie Vestige Lipstick Holder
To go along with that gift, a handmade brass holder that fits six tubes of lipstick will dress up the vintage lover’s vanity. It’s design was inspired by Albeit lipstick, a line of 1920s and 30s inspired colors encased in shiny gold tubes. ($28, anthropologie.com)
Vintage Cookbooks
A Drinkable Feast: A Cocktail Companion to 1920s Paris
In A Drinkable Feast, cocktail historian Philip Greene takes you through the history of over 50 cocktails enjoyed by American expats in 1920s Paris like the Fitzgeralds, Gertrude Stein, Picasso, Coco Chanel and more. One of the drinks he explores is the Champagne Cocktail, a favorite of Zelda Fitzgerald and Cole Porter. Greene dives into where the drinks were made popular and shares the recipes for them pulled from recipe books from the 1920s and 30s. Pair the book with a set of etched coupe glasses and a bottle of bubbly to add some flair to the vintage lover’s bar cart.
The Vintage Baker: More Than 50 Recipes from Butterscotch Pecan Curls to Sour Cream Jumbles
The Vintage Baker is a must for the vintage cookbook collector! Author Jessie Sheehan explores over 50 vintage dessert recipes updated for modern tastes, inspired by recipes from vintage baking recipe booklets. Some of the indulgent recipes include Molasses Doughnuts with Chocolate Glaze, updated from the 1928 cookbook, Grandma’s Old Fashioned Molasses Recipes, and Black-Bottom Banana Dream Bars, a riff on a recipe from 1962’s Baker’s Chocolate and Coconut Favorites. The book also includes an insert with 25 original recipes from before 1923. Add a pretty spatula and kitchen towel and bundle it all in a vintage serving tray or basket.
Vintage Accessories
Straw Boater Hat and Round Sunglasses
Boater hats were the fashion accessory for men during summer months in the early 20th century. (I recommend listening to the “Stuff You Missed in History Class” podcast’s recent episode on the strange Straw Hat Riot of 1922). I got my boater from Target last summer, but you can treat the vintage style fan to a similar style with the Women’s Fine Paper Boater ($44, sandiegohat.com). Pair it with round sunglasses, like the Le Specs Cubanos Polarized Sunglasses ($69, lespecs.com), and they’ll be set for a stylish getaway!
Vintage Paper Goods
100 Christmas Wishes: Vintage Holiday Cards from The New York Public Library
The New York Public Library began collecting postcards in the early 20th century, and some of the merriest have been compiled in 100 Christmas Wishes: Vintage Holiday Cards from The New York Public Library. The vintage-obsessed will love turning the pages filled with retro art from dozens of different countries. Plus, it comes with tear-out reproduction postcards of some of the cards from the book, so it’s really like two gifts in one.
Beginner calligraphy materials
The vintage lover is probably all about handwritten letters. Give them some new materials to work with, like the L Brand Writing Paper notebook from Japanese brand Life with 70 sheets of high quality paper ($12.22, milligram.com). The Tombow Dual Brush Pen N15 is great for beginners to practice hand lettering before committing fully to calligraphy (they’re really so easy and fun to use), and the Kaweco Classic Sport Fountain Pen will help the vintage lover perfect their place setting cards for the holidays and beyond.
A Night Out on the Town
Tickets to a 1920s Party
Surprise the vintage lover who swears she’s OK with just staying in for New Year’s Eve with tickets to a big 1920s bash, like a Party Like Gatsby event, touring major US cities this spring. Or, plan ahead and book a trip to a 1920s summer lawn party.