Vintage gifts possess a timeless quality that modern items often lack. They carry stories and history, making them special and meaningful, because they share a piece of the past. Here are smart ways to buy vintage gifts this holiday season.
How to shop for vintage gifts that are authentically retro
A resale store with a good reputation is one of the best places to look for vintage gifts. How do you know it has a good reputation? Word of mouth and reviews.
When shopping there, the owner should be able to walk you through the hallmarks of genuine vintage pieces. They can educate you on how to look for original labels, distinctive craftsmanship and period-appropriate materials. “If it says Made in China, it is typically not vintage, no matter how old it looks,” said Jeanine M. Boiko, who runs a vintage-inspired Etsy shop.
Identifying vintage marks
Regarding original labels, patterns or imprints on kitchenware and serving pieces, it’s also important to familiarize yourself with age-appropriate marks or engravings. For instance, if you want to buy a piece of vintage Corningware as a gift, look for a blue flower design on the front — technically called the cornflower emblem. It is one of the most recognizable symbols of Corningware, though it isn’t the only pattern. Good pieces of Corningware also feature colorful vegetables with French writing underneath and other patterns.
It’s a similar process when shopping for vintage Pyrex. Sure, you can still buy new Pyrex measuring cups and baking dishes, made of clear materials, at popular department stores. However, when looking for collectibles, you want bowls and other vessels that are white on the inside and feature either bright, primary colors or mid-century modern-inspired patterns on the outside.
Also, look for the word Pyrex imprinted on the bottom, in either all caps or all lowercase letters. The former denotes the piece was made before the 1970s. The latter was when Pyrex rebranded during the 1970s.
Generations of shoppers driving the vintage craze
What you consider to be vintage depends on your generation. For Gen X adults who came of age in the 1970s and 1980s, those are the decades for their go-to nostalgia. Millennials and Gen Z harken back to the decades when they were born.
Even though some in those generations were born in the 1990s and probably don’t have clear memories of being alive during that time, they tend to yearn for that period. In doing so, they are driving a throwback fashion trend, says The New York Times. “Much of this has to do with nostalgia for an age before social media and technological dominance, especially among young adults who have grown up documenting themselves and being documented,” the New York Times reported.
For similar reasons, Mintel, a market intelligence agency focusing on consumer behavior, has deemed throwback nostalgia a legitimate trend. People look at nostalgia as reflecting their childhood, when things were simpler and easier. Sometimes it’s just a general feeling about times gone by when things appeared to be better or felt like they were better.
This nostalgia could be looking at the past through rose-colored glasses because maybe things weren’t better when you were younger. Nonetheless, it resonates with many people and could be a guide for buying gifts for them.
Sustainability aspect
There’s another reason that these younger generations of gift recipients might appreciate a vintage present or something that didn’t roll off the assembly line recently. They are known to value environmental awareness and sustainability.
According to a McKinsey & Company report, nearly half of the millennials and Gen Z the company surveyed said they would pay more for products that were good for the environment — zero pollution, minimal packaging or recyclable materials. A vintage gift ticks all of those boxes.
Where to shop for vintage gifts
Reputable brick-and-mortar thrift and consignment stores are a great place to shop for vintage gifts. However, there are also plenty of places to shop online for vintage presents. In these instances, you’ll want to stick with platforms that stand behind their transactions.
For example, there is something called the Authenticity Guarantee on eBay. When eBay receives a name-brand item — vintage or not — it goes through a rigorous vetting process to prove its authenticity. This includes sneakers, handbags, watches, jewelry, streetwear and trading cards.
Online reseller The RealReal also has an authentication process it uses for the luxury items it consigns. The site also offers tips for how to spot real and fake items from high-end brands. You can use this advice when shopping in person at thrift stores, yard sales or flea markets for items like vintage Cartier watches, Gucci handbags, Hermes accessories and more.
Remember that returns may be limited when purchasing vintage items online or in person. Always carefully inspect items before buying or limit your shopping to sites that offer expert authentication.
How to personalize a vintage gift
You probably put a lot of thought into shopping for this retro gift. Now personalize it with a handwritten note or an add-on item. Here are some ways to do that.
Is the recipient big into retro drinks and you bought them an antique bar set or vintage hi-ball glasses? You can level up the gift with a handwritten recipe for an old-timey drink. Then add in a bottle of liquor that is one of the ingredients in that drink recipe.
Maybe you are buying a gift for someone who just rediscovered vinyl records and asked for a record player. Along with a turntable, you can wrap up some of the best Christmas albums of all time from greats like Bing Crosby or Vince Guaraldi. The records or record player may not be vintage but they’ll have a retro vibe.
Follow the vintage trend
It’s not every day that you can buy someone something from the past. However, you’ll know you’ve found the perfect present if you’ve discovered an item that speaks to their hobbies, reflects items they love to collect or just seems to be something you know they would enjoy owning.
Leah Ingram’s favorite vintage gifts came as hand-me-downs from her grandmother, including handbags, jewelry and clothing. She shares some of her grandmother’s recipes along with gift ideas on her blog Bagels and Lasagna.