M E R R Y C H R I S T M A S M O N D A Y S
Years Ago ...
A very special baby in a very plain manger was visited by three reverent wise men. In deference to the child's significance, the men bestowed upon him the well-known gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Each of these items were important in their own ways and made up, in essence, the very first Christmas presents.
Today, people all over mirror this long ago event by giving gifts to their loved ones to mark the holiday season. To celebrate the first Christmas of this blog, I have compiled a list of gifts that my readers and other like-minded people would love to receive.
We lovers of history and all things vintage may or may not be interested in the newest headphones, the most expensive handbag, or the latest video game, but that does not mean that we are hard to shop for! Rather, our interest is peaked by things a little more different than ordinary.
Before we begin, please note that the items contained in the title picture were all purchased at my local Marshalls store (link). You could expect to find similar things at TJ Maxx (link) or Home Goods (link). I love these stores to hunt for things I have never found before any where else!
The items which are linked to different websites (etsy, amazon, World Market, etc.) are from vendors that I have found online. I have not ordered from any of these vendors and I do not own these items. Therefore please note that I cannot guarantee any quality or service on the vendors' part. It is also important to note that ship dates will vary, so be sure to confirm with the vendor if your purchases will arrive by Christmas! If you have any questions, please feel free to email me at fourscorerebecca@gmail.com!
- Candles ... but make sure there is something unique about them!
I love this one because not only are silhouettes a very popular art form from years ago, but the little girl on the ladder is adorable! The candle smells wonderful and once burned, the recipient gets to keep the pretty vessel!
Bonus if you can get hand poured/hand crafted ones:
- Picture frames ... another great gift idea which is available in a huge range of styles and price ranges. For those lovers of history who are lucky enough to travel to our favorite places, we can never have enough frames in which to display our memories!
This frame reminds me of Italy, with its decoration that looks like weathered stone:
Do you know someone who can't go a day without her tea? She might love a handmade frame made from feminine china:
Bonus points if you get frames like these, which are upcycled from old barn wood. Rustic looking with an incredible history to match:
- For the person who loves to spend time in the kitchen, I have two choices of cutting boards ... It may sound like a strange idea, but most young people I know tend to skimp on this cooking implement, important as it is. A good quality cutting board can last for years and years (if it is taken care of).
Especially during the holiday season, handcrafted cutting boards can be found from many local artisans. Surprise someone you know with one this year!
First up, the decorative one (I would probably hang this in my kitchen, however it could also be used):
Here's another lovely piece, which can be personalized for the recipient:
Finally, the useful one. Made of bamboo, a sustainable resource, it is extremely functional:
Moving from the kitchen to the dining room, who wouldn't love the following items for their tea?
- An intricately/delicately/uniquely decorated tea pot. I wish you could see it better but this one looks like beautiful lace has been printed on the pot:
Bonus points (of course!) for a lovely hand crafted one:
- Mugs/tea cups are always on my Christmas list, since I purposely bought a dish set without them, just so I could make my own collection. Some of my favorite ones are the following ...
For the lover of literature, the Great First Lines of Literature mug:
For the lover of American presidential history, the Presidential Slogans mug:
For the romance/Shakespeare lover, the Shakespearean Love mug:
- And finally, I end with an oldie but goodie ... soaps. Soap making, like candle making, is a lost art. For the best such gifts look for hand crafted items which smell lovely, are filled with moisturizing ingredients, and have something extra packaging-wise. Bonus points for Made in America!
It is my sincere hope that this blog post helps you as you continue (or start!) your Christmas shopping season. Like our ancestors would have done, I recommend that you shop as small as you can to encourage the small business all around. As well, don't be afraid to try out some new craft(s) to show your loved one how much you care!
For any questions, comments, or suggestions please feel free to contact me either in the comments below or by email at fourscorerebecca@gmail.com.
Wishing you a very happy Christmas Season!
Until next time,
Rebecca
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