Unless a person collects something specific, it can be difficult to begin wandering an antique mall in search of the perfect gift now that Christmas is so near. I'm here to make a few suggestions to make shopping for something vintage a little easier.
Consider buying something that a boy might have been excited to find under the tree many years ago, like a tool set. I think this tool chest would be a thoughtful gift for a man that likes to build things. Not to use, just as a symbolic memento for his den or office:
Somehow I ended up with two of them! It's funny how that happens. I might not see another one for a year or two.
I like the graphics on the interior of the chests:
For a kitschy-retro gift, a nodder or Hawaiian hula girl would be a fun gift. Just a bit of whimsy for the man cave:
This one needs a little paint touch-up, which I can do quite easily.
How about an easy-to-care-for-best friend?
I like the idea of this rubber band store display for a man's office. It can actually function as a storage piece for office supplies, and it adds so much great color and cool graphics to often boring office surroundings:
Marquee letters are always hot sellers. What teenager wouldn't want his name spelled out in his bedroom? If you can't find his whole name, maybe initials will have to suffice:
Vintage or reproduction robots or spacemen are perennial favorites. What's the difference between a robot and a spaceman? A robot has a non-human face (below left) and a spaceman has a human face (below right):
Old painted tin or enamel advertising signs are cool. Soda signs for teenagers, beer signs for men.
Fun reminders of childhood, like this windup George Jetson toy, can make a thoughtful gift:
A vintage hat is always a wise choice. How about a stovepipe hat, a black bowler, or a straw boater like the examples below?
The hat below is a beaver top hat. It can be challenging to find a size large enough for today's man, but even for just a display piece they're fun:
Although it's missing a few parts, the truck below is a cool old toy, perfect for a big boy:
Wall art doesn't have to have an expensive frame. I've used a trouser hanger to hang this catalog page from a circa 1910's menswear catalog:
Once again, wall art doesn't have to be a framed picture. Game boards or something like this shooting gallery are cool ways to add color and retro style to a man cave or game room:
I've always thought men are a bit difficult to buy for. I hope these ideas help when you head to the antique mall this week. And you are headed to the antique mall this week, aren't you?
Mitzi
