The Best Gifts for the History Buff in Your Life
Holiday shopping isn’t easy, but if you know any history buffs, we’re here to help. Whether your loved one is passionate about American history, ancient civilizations, global exploration, or historic architecture, we’ve compiled a list of gifts that we hope will be the highlight of their holiday season.
Got a friend who can’t stop thinking about the Roman Empire? Consider a rare relic for them to display on their desk. Looking for a pastime with a focus on past events? Try these games and puzzles that are both fun and educational. Here’s a look at the 10 best gifts for the history buff in your life.
Genuine Roman Coin
It’s not every day you can acquire a museum-worthy piece at an affordable price, but that’s exactly the case with these genuine Roman coins available on Etsy. Dating back to the fourth century CE, these coins were minted during the tail end of the ancient empire. This was a time when the Roman government shifted from minting silver currency to bronze, as the latter material was far more plentiful. Each piece has been inspected by professionals to ensure authenticity, and is presented in a stylish glass-and-leather display case with a placard denoting pertinent information. You can also choose coins depicting the likenesses of specific Roman emperors, including Constantine the Great (306 to 337 CE), Constantine II (337 to 340 CE), Constans (337 to 350 CE), or Constantius II (337 to 361 CE).
Etsy, $49.99
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Historic Recipes by Mail
Culinary innovation is an essential aspect of human history, and it can be fascinating to replicate those old recipes and see how they hold up to modern-day dishes. If you know a history buff who also loves to cook, we recommend this Recipes by Mail subscription. Select either a six-month or 12-month subscription, and your giftee will receive a new package each month containing a historical recipe replicated on high-quality paper, plus a pamphlet with important biographical and contextual information about the dish and its creator. Some of the more popular recipes include Rosa Parks’ pancakes and George Washington’s ice cream.
Uncommon Goods, $42-$78
The Smithsonian’s New Map Book
A new book from the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History, History of North America Map by Map offers a fascinating look at how North American geography has shifted over time. The work contains maps that depict a variety of events and changes, such as the boundaries of ancient civilizations, how the U.S. evolved during its westward expansion, and how the Civil War reshaped the nation. It also includes written blurbs to provide context for all of these historical events. The Smithsonian offers map books on the history of the world and World War II, as well.
Amazon, $32.50
Endurance: Shackleton’s Incredible Voyage Book
In the early 1900s, Anglo Irish explorer Ernest Shackleton led several expeditions to the South Pole, where few had ever ventured before. His most notable and perilous journey occurred from 1914 to 1916 aboard the ship Endurance, which became stuck in an ice floe and sank to the ocean floor. Shackleton and his crew were forced to traverse the dangerous Antarctic tundra in search of safety, resulting in one of history’s most improbable and fascinating adventures. These events are chronicled in Endurance: Shackleton’s Incredible Voyage, a book reviewers and critics consider to be among the most well-written historical pieces in recent history. This nonfiction book reads like a fictitious novel with thrilling developments at every turn — so you can rest assured the history buff in your life won’t be able to put it down.
Amazon, $13.59-$52.64
Chronology Card Game
Chronology is a family-friendly card game that allows players to show off their history knowledge. Each player is dealt cards depicting a historic event and the year in which it occurred. They are then asked to put those events in chronological order — the winner being whoever puts 10 events in the correct order first. Some of the cards feature better-known milestones such as the moon landing, but there are more challenging cards mixed in where history buffs will truly shine.
Amazon, $19.99
Any Date Newspapers
Unless you were a baby genius, chances are you weren’t reading the newspaper on the day you were born. But as adults, it’s fun to look back at what the world was like when we came into it, and one of the best ways to do so is by gifting someone a newspaper from their exact birthdate. These authentic replica newspapers look just as they did on the day they were first printed, and are the perfect gift to commemorate a birthday or an event of similar magnitude. You can choose from publications such as The New York Times, The Baltimore Sun, and The Dallas Morning News, just to name a few, to localize the experience for your loved ones.
Any Date, $69.99
Historical Apparel
For the history buff in your life who also loves to dress up, nothing will beat this line of historical-themed apparel from Gearhumans. Featuring hoodies, shorts, sweaters, and even baby onesies, these fun gifts are designed to resemble attire worn by the Vikings, military garb worn by Napoleon, outfits worn by George Washington, and much more. Each piece is carefully crafted with colorful and intricate patterns, with dozens of options available.
Gearhumans, $29.95-$48.99
The Dawn of Everything: A New History of Humanity Book
Back in high school history class, we were taught that our prehistoric ancestors were very primitive and warlike. Well, The Dawn of Everything: A New History of Humanity is a book that challenges those preconceptions and encourages the reader to reimagine their views on early human history. Using recent archaeological and anthropological findings, authors David Graeber and David Wengrow offer up a dramatic alternative viewpoint about social evolution, touching on important topics such as early agriculture and politics. The perfect gift for any stickler for accuracy, it will help readers see early history in a completely different way.
Amazon, $15.09-$22.29
Fine Art Jigsaw Puzzles
Indelible artistic works such as Leonardo da Vinci’s “Mona Lisa” or Vincent van Gogh’s “Sunflowers” can provide a glimpse into the cultural psyche of their time. And while original works can cost hundreds of millions of dollars to hang in your living room, there’s a much cheaper, and much more fun alternative. These fine art jigsaw puzzles are perfect for any history-loving family, and come in a wide array of designs ranging from Renaissance classics to more contemporary pieces.
Wentworth Puzzles, $52.50-$185
National Trust for Historic Preservation Membership
Founded in 1949, the National Trust for Historic Preservation oversees the upkeep of many historic buildings and neighborhoods throughout the U.S. So for the history buff who has everything, try gifting an annual subscription to help support these preservation efforts. Members receive a magazine filled with photos and articles, as well as discounted admission to dozens of historic sites around the country. Some of the sites include James Madison’s Montpelier estate in Virginia, the historic Touro Synagogue in Rhode Island, and the ancient Acoma Sky City of New Mexico.
Savingplaces.org, $50-$250
