Those who don’t learn from history, are doomed to repeat it. I was never much into history in school. To me it was about memoizing battles and dates. However, as I grew up, I learned history is so much more. It is about the real people who lived it. Whether gathering knowledge of the past from reading historical novels, collecting historical artifacts, or as a kid from playing with toys and games, learning about history influences people’s decisions for the future.
Since history encompasses basically everything, I tried to choose a wide selection of gifts for history buffs to keep them on their toes.
1. History Whiskey Glassware
Best gifts for history buffs
Imagine sipping whiskey from glasses etched with the founding fathers, a Langston Hughes poem, or the 18th amendment? A history buff will think they died and went to historical Heaven with this glassware.
They can sip their whiskey as they read a unique world history book, such as A History of the World in 6 Glasses, which tells how the evolution of beverages affected the progress of the world.
After reading about historical beverages, they can try to create some with a mead making kit.
2. Piece of the Berlin Wall
WWII gifts for history buffs
WWII fanatics will be awed by an authentic piece of the Berlin Wall.
Collectors will also love receiving WWII collectible coins. You can choose from among Japanese money, German coins, or others.
If they like to build things, they will enjoy building a model WWII airplane.
3. Rick Steves Europe Tour
Luxury gifts for history lovers
Rick is a history buff, so his tours focus on the history and culture of the people who live in each destination. If you know someone who wants to experience history, a tour of Europe is a must.
However, if you think they would prefer planning their own trip, choose from the many Rick Steves’ guidebooks. These have details on places to stay, eat, and see. Plus they have tips to make the most of your time, how to pack, and alternative places to visit to avoid the crowds. Did you know you can see ancient Greek ruins in Sicily, with far less crowds than when visiting the Acropolis?
Once they’ve already planned a trip, you can give them another gift, packing cubes. These will help them stay organized and easily find what they need in their luggage.
4. Medieval Chess Set
Presents for history lovers of medieval times
Chess players will enjoy going head to head with a set featuring medieval knights.
As an experience gift for history lovers send them to Medieval Times Dinner Theater. They will be transported back in time to a medieval castle where they will witness jousting and eat a full dinner with their hands. (There were no utensils back then.) Before dinner they can tour the village and watch weaving demonstrations as well as other village traditions. They can even tour the torchure chamber. This part is not for kids.
However, kids can recreate a medieval village by collecting and putting together medieval Lego sets.
5. I Have a Dream Wall Art
Black history gifts
Those with pride in black history, will like to display some wall art in the theme of Dr. Martin Luther King’s I have a dream speech.
Maybe they will be inspired to explore their own roots. My mother-in-law started researching her family history years ago. She actually traced parts of it back several hundred years to the times of slavery. Through an ancestry DNA test she was able to find out what areas of Africa her family may have originally been from. She also discovered she has some northern European blood as well.
If you know someone embarking on a similar project, they will need a genealogy book to help organize all of their findings.
6. Custom Birthday Book
Personalized gift ideas for history buffs
This keepsake book will be compiled from the front page of the paper on each birthday the recipient has had since they were born. This makes a great way to view snapshots of history one year at a time.
Another personalized history gift is a custom historical portrait. You can have a custom royal portrait created from a photo of the recipient or of their pet!
For more customized gifts, get an engraved Viking drinking horn.
7. Gettysburg Tour
Gifts for Civil War buffs
Plan a trip to Gettysburg. Then take a self guided tour of the military park, a ghost tour, or visit the heritage museum.
Authentic Civil War bullets in a display case will be a much wished for gift by a collector of Civil War memorabilia.
Teens and adults will enjoy challenging each other by playing Civil War board games. Games for other wars are available too.
8. Historical Paper Dolls
Women’s history gifts
Most history was written by men, but we can learn a lot about women’s history by their clothing during each era. Paper dolls are a great way to inspire an interest in women’s history in young girls.
You can also spark a quest for knowledge with historical women Barbie dolls. These don’t have to be just for kids. I collect them too.
I studied women’s history in college. Did you know that many women fought in the Revolutionary War, dressed as men. There is documentation that some were found out because they gave birth on the battlefield! It is amazing how the fabric of women’s lives has been pieced together from letters they wrote. Women’s history books make a great gift for anyone with a quest for knowledge, especially since most of women’s history is not taught in schools.
9. Old World Globe Bar
Really cool history gifts
I have one of these in my living room. It is by far one of my favorite pieces of furniture. I love looking at the craftsmanship and all of the map details. It has become quite the conversation piece.
If you want something similar but with a smaller price tag, you can get them an old world decanter instead.
For those who like the old world map idea, but the person you are shopping for isn’t a drinker, you can opt for an old world map blanket. Everyone needs to keep warm, right?
10. Historic Building Models
Christmas gifts for history lovers
Building blocks aren’t just for kids. These historical building kits are made for teens and adults. This could even be a fun family project to do together during the holidays.
As an experience gift for history lovers you could schedule an online tour of culture and landmarks for the family to do together during the holidays.
For those interested in the history of the far east, get them a traditional Chinese tea set. They can then learn the historic rituals surrounding tea ceremonies, and even put them into practice themselves. For those interested in the history of eastern religions, you can get a buddha statue to adorn their home.
Looking for something for a history buff at the office? President socks will make a funny secret Santa gift. These can also be an amusing stocking stuffer.
11. Ancient Greek Amphora
Ancient history gifts
For fans of Greek mythology, get an amphora decorated with gods and goddesses.
If they are obsessed with ancient Egypt, get them a cat statue to worship.
As a gift for a Roman history buff, give them a Roman statue planter. These are all so interesting, I can’t choose which I like best.
12. Mayan Calendar Pendant
History gifts from ancient civilizations
Jewelry lovers will adore these pendants depicting the ancient calendar from native cultures in the Americas.
Or get Inca tumi earrings. Tumis were knives used to provide sacrifices to the gods, and are often depicted in artwork and jewelry.
A Day of the Dead bracelet wrap will look cool on the wrist of someone into Mexican history.
13. Funny History Books
Gifts for history nerds
Of course, you can always give them books. However, these books provide humorous bits of history not often found in traditional history texts.
Or choose some best sellers in historical fiction. This is my favorite way to learn about history. While the story may be created by the author, the general facts have been researched and are used to weave a story accurately describing what life was like during that time period.
For kids, you can get history pop up books. It is never too early to encourage an interest in history.
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