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Looking for vintage gift ideas this season? Perhaps for a family member who loves ancient finds or a history buff who enjoys learning more about the past?
I have 10 perfect gift ideas for you today for the antique lover on your list. Any of these items would make perfect gifts for your friends and family who love scouring antique malls or flea markets for those unique finds.
This post contains affiliate links. Shopping through these links will not cost you any more but I will make a small commission. You can read my full disclosure here.
Where to find antique gifts for vintage lovers?
Before we dive into the list, let’s just talk for a minute about where to shop for great vintage items.
If you’re not the type of person who likes to look for old things, this shopping might seem a little strange to you. But don’t worry, we’ll talk about your best options for finding great vintage gifts that fit your budget.
1. Antique malls
You probably have an antique mall in your area, or maybe a few. Do a Google search for “antique malls near me” or “flea markets near me” to see them appear on the map.
These types of stores can range from very high-end and expensive stores to mainly indoor garage sales. I like to choose the middle-of-the-road types – antique malls that offer curated selections of real vintage goods but aren’t advertised as high-end antique stores.
Most of these types of stores have more limited hours than other retail stores (often 10-5 or 11-6), and many will also be closed on Sundays. Make sure to check the times online before heading out to make sure they are open.
Antique malls usually consist of a variety of vendors who each are responsible for their own prices. If you have questions about an item or need help determining the price of something you find at a vendor booth, anyone working the front desk will be able to help.
Another great tip for shopping at antique malls is to ask for a discount at the checkout counter, unlike your regular retail store, many antique malls will offer a standard discount on the card price if you just ask!
2. Thrift stores
If you want to dig further, you can also try shopping for vintage treasures at a thrift store. Beware that you may waste a lot of time searching without finding much of anything! Thrift stores can really be hit or miss when searching for a one-of-a-kind vintage gift.
If antique jewelry or vintage clothing is on your gift list, a visit to a thrift store might be worth a visit. Sometimes these stores will pull any vintage items and keep them on their shelf or display case, which can make your search faster.
If you’re able, try to head to thrift stores in older parts of town, not in newer suburban areas. On these sites, you’re more likely to find real vintage items because the customers donating them are older.
3. Etsy
If you prefer to search for your vintage gifts online, Etsy is a great place to go. Consider it the ultimate online antique mall!
Like a vintage mall, Etsy is not a big giant store, but a collection of small sellers all on one platform. This means that different Etsy stores will charge different prices for similar items, have different shipping terms, etc.
Be sure to read each listing that interests you closely and look at all the photos posted so you can understand the terms of that specific store.
If you have questions about an item you find on Etsy, you can message the owner of that shop through the platform. Good Etsy shop owners should respond within one day.
If you’re not sure exactly what you’re looking for, shopping on Etsy can be a little overwhelming because there’s so much to look through. So try typing a general gift idea, like “gift for vintage music lovers” or “vintage book gifts” into the search bar.
Not only will this lead you to a list of specific items that match your search, but it will also lead you to the different Etsy shops that offer them.
If you find an item that interests you, be sure to check out the full inventory of this Etsy shop because you’ll likely see more items that meet your needs.
4. Small online shops
There are also a large number of antique dealers who have decided to do business online and now have their own little online shops full of antique and antique treasures.
These stores’ prices are often lower than what you would see on Etsy for the same great items. Try searching Google for “antique gift store online” or “antique decor store online” to see some options.
When shopping at convenience stores online, I always recommend heading to their About section first. This will give you an idea of who runs the store and whether they are a reputable company.
Next, make sure to visit their Shipping & Returns page, as this will tell you how your item will be delivered and how they will handle any issues that may arise.
If you need a place to start, here are some of my favorite small vintage stores online, including mine:
Shop for lost and found vintage items
Antique home decor
Frugal Whitney
Recreate the antique house
Flipping the booze
10 vintage gift ideas
Mismatched antique silver
This is a great gift for a young couple who appreciates things with character. Help them build their silverware collection with a collection of not-so-perfect antique forks, spoons and knives.
Vintage quilt
An antique quilt makes a thoughtful gift that will stand the test of time. If you are shopping online, make sure the comforter is in good condition and ask for more pictures if you want to be sure it has no holes and/or stains.
Wine barware
The bar cart is back in style, and what better way to outfit it than with some cool vintage barware pieces? I love this mid-century ice bucket, or a set of funky glasses that would also make a great gift for a bar lover.
Antique clock
Antique clocks are great ways to add an old world feel to any space. I recommend shopping for them locally, if possible, as they will be expensive to ship and can be easily damaged in transit. Try your local antique mall before heading online.
Cutting milk glass
Milk Glass has a timeless quality that helps it fit into any home decor style. Antique milk glass pieces can be found almost anywhere, including sometimes for pennies at a thrift store. Try starting a new collection for a friend by putting together a collection of milk glass vases, or for experienced milk glass collectors, try finding a rarer find like a cake plate or large jug.
Vintage paintings
Why decorate your walls with ordinary artwork from big-box discount stores when you can add unique character and charm with a gorgeous antique painting instead? Your friend or loved one will love a unique piece of art to proudly display in their space. This Etsy shop has plenty to choose from at a variety of prices as well.
Vinyl records
Real audiophiles want to be able to touch and hold their music, not any of that digital stuff! Vinyl records make a great gift for anyone who truly enjoys music and has a penchant for the past. The good news is that they’re available in lots of places, from thrift stores to antique malls to the Internet.
Antique books
The vintage book is full of nostalgia and would make a lovely gift for any book lover. Try looking for an early edition by their favorite author, or perhaps a set of old books from a popular series like The Chronicles of Narnia or the Collected Works of Shakespeare.
Vintage leather goods
It’s true that they don’t make things the way they used to! Anything made from vintage leather will make a great gift for someone who appreciates quality craftsmanship and items that are built to last. Try looking for leather bags, camera bags, or jackets as a place to start.
Decoration book with antiques
There are many great books available from designers who work mostly with antiques, but Creating Authentic Interiors by Sean Shearer is one of the best. It’s full of stunning images along with practical advice for starting your new collections. Shop for it at your local bookstore or find it here on Amazon.
Here he is! 10 great vintage gift ideas for anyone on your list who is an old soul and has a passion for the past. Now it’s time to shop!
More shopping links for vintage and antique gift ideas
Below you will find links to purchase more amazing vintage and antique finds. Some of these links will take you to shops on Etsy, while others will take you to independent online shops or my own online shop. All the independent stores associated with them have a great reputation and will provide you with great customer service! You’ll also find a variety of price points as well.
Original leather wallet from the 1960s
Vintage brown leather camera bag
Red and white double tee vintage quilt
Vintage maple leaf quilt
Pink and blue quilt from the 1930s
Set MCM Tumbler Cups with original box
Mid-Century Glass Condiment Bowl Set with Brass Stand
1885 German Christian Catechism Collection Book
Antique Charles Dickens book collection