The holiday gift-shopping season has begun: Explore uncommon vintage gift ideas at tcgVINTAGEetc from midcentury collectibles to eccentric, retro finds.
When looking for holiday gift-giving inspiration, go vintage. Most vintage gifts are unique – rare items that can't be found in stores. Many vintage items were made with a higher level of craftsmanship and detail than more disposable, mass-produced modern goods. And if an item is vintage, sustainability is built in – making vintage gifts an extra special choice.
This small sampling of collectibles from my Etsy shop, tcgVINTAGEetc, highlights vintage fashions, rare creative publications, modern design objects, travel ephemera and other gift ideas.
Vintage Fashion | Celebrating Pink!
In this year of everything Barbie and Barbiecore, these vintage pink options are perfect any-day wear. Check out more vintage clothes and accessories here; and shoes and boots too.
Vintage Mod Pink Blazer, 1980s
Bold and very pink, this vintage, two-button blazer from Barbara Lee falls around the hips. For more style – collar and cuffs work up or down. A cotton blend, made in Japan. What a treat for moms/sisters/daughters!
Cute and upbeat with a swing shape, this vintage Barbie-style skirt has a pink-white gingham pattern and side-seam pockets. A perfect pop of retro pink!. Great gift for moms or teens.
Vintage Carryalls | Handbags, Wallets + Pouches
Choose from an eclectic vintage bag collection in all sizes, shapes and materials. Who doesn’t appreciate a rare, exclusive gift with a great back story?
Vintage Hester van Eeghen Wallet, 1990s
This stunning, minimal, vintage leather wallet from the late, great Dutch designer Hester van Eeghen is from the early days of her leather lines. Outstanding design and beautiful Italian craftsmanship, it’s a very special gift.
Vintage Navy Chain Handbag, 1970-80s
Smart and classic (a la Chanel), this vintage navy blue, gold-chain shoulder bag has three roomy compartments and a retro look, from the late 70s/early 80s. Very much in style this season, and a sophisticated gift.
With a colorful vibe of beads and sequins, this vintage mini zippered pouch serves as clutch bag, makeup bag – or a perfect bag for clubbing. It’s a vibrant, funky and fun gift.
Vintage Creative Books | Compilations and Monographs
For graphic or interior designers and architects, these vintage design books – all first editions – are beautiful additions to libraries. Invaluable collectible gifts for creatives.
Bold, inventive graphics inspire in this monograph of LA-based graphic artist Geoff McFetridge. This first edition/first printing from Japan includes the original price tag from a Japanese store. A rare edition and an inspiring gift.
Vintage Dream House Encyclopedia, 1970
With great images of midcentury and late 1960s home design, The Dream House Encyclopedia covers finding, fixing and buying 20 offbeat properties then turning them into unique homes. Great gift idea for fans of the fixer-upper shows, and a superb history of one-of-a-kind, midcentury living spaces.
Vintage AR100 Awards Show 7 Book, 1992
This excellent, vintage design compilation featuring the top 100 best annual reports of 1992. The AR100 Awards Show book was a seminal, annual publication for designers, illustrators and photographers. Packed with superior creative work, it makes an exceptional gift.
A masterpiece of design history and beautiful design compendium features the work of 39 New York design firms – the best of the best from the early 1990s – including M&Co led by Tibor Kalman, Pushpin's Milton Glaser, Vignelli Associates and many more. With superb images, it's a fantastic collectible gift.
Vintage Creative Publications | ID, Domus, Annual Reports+
These collections of vintage design and architecture publications are great resources for creative ideas. Titles are collectibles for designers, illustrators, photographers and architects.
This large, iconic, vintage issue of Domus Magazine focuses on the work of Le Corbusier with an imaginatively illustrated die-cut cover. Makes a great library addition for an architect or designer. This collectible issue has Italian and English text.
Vintage Adobe, Inc. 1992 Annual Report
Award-winning with future-forward design, this early Adobe annual report introduces its first software products (now Adobe CC). A great example of design and typography from the early 1990s. Great gift idea for techies or graphic designers.
Vintage ID Magazines, 1980s-90s
Bold, vintage issues of ID – the iconic publication reported on the art, the business and the culture of design. Features ranged from industrial and product to graphic design and early interactive. Gorgeous layouts and important topical information were woven into its content.
Skillfully designed and meticulously printed, The Limited, Inc. annual report includes representation of its iconic brands including Victoria's Secret, Henri Bendel and Abercrombie & Fitch. A great example of graphic design from the 1990s, and an excellent gift for those who love fashion.
Vintage Abitare, May 1985 Issue
Historical, vintage issue of Abitare, the Italian magazine for modern home, town and environmental living is a splendid design collectible. This issue covers light/lighting, with a special feature on Barcelona's Antoni Gaudî's Casa Mila, plus a bonus insert. Unique, vintage gift for all designers.
Vintage Home Décor | Marimekko Shower Curtain
Bold, yet graceful, this iconic, vintage Marimekko shower curtain has abstract florals in soft blues, greens and purples to brighten up any bathroom. An unusual print for Marimekko collectors, this lovely curtain complements modern or traditional decor and makes a special gift.
Vintage Design Collectible | Michael Kalil Brass Bookmark
Artist Michael Kalil’s vintage bookmarks are collected by modern design aficionados around the world. Issued by the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) circa 1988, this is one of the three rare and gorgeous brass bookmarks from the ‘Three Bookmarks Series.' For those who love to read or modern design collectors, this is a rare gift that comes in its own folder, based on the original 1973 packaging.
Vintage Travel Ephemera | Maps, Pictorials + Guides
Informative and colorful travel ephemera from Ireland and Italy make great collectibles or are perfect as scrapbooking resources. More special gift ideas for travelers or artists here.
Vintage 1997 Ireland Touring Map
With its lovely map illustration (great for framing), this vintage Ireland touring map details travel routes and focuses on traditional hotels from the late 1990s. Great piece of history of the Emerald Isle and a unique gift idea for travelers.
Bright, mid-century souvenir book with views of Florence and its history unfolds in a fun accordion format. With multi-language notes on the back, this is an informative, compact volume of the history of this landmark city. Makes an uncommon gift for travelers, or for collectors of 1960s Italy.
Sweet set of two practical books: the vintage Italian menu helper and the cross-language dictionary aided travelers. The menu guide helped dining out and the dictionary helped ease day-to-day communications before there were smartphones. Perfect collectible gifts for Italophiles or excellent gifts as keepsake souvenirs.
Vintage Eclectic Object | Carmen Miranda Feather Duster
Rare, kitschy – this Carmen Miranda Feather Duster is an eccentric collectible, guaranteed to bring on a smile. Beautifully conceived, it’s a splendid gift for the right person, or for yourself, and a lovely piece of display art. From 1985, this brightly painted ceramic figure has a hot pink, feather-skirt and is artisan-made in a limited quantity. More vintage home/decor objects here.
Enjoy more holiday time – start shopping early – and go vintage this year! Check out more one-of-a-kind, vintage items at tcgVINTAGEetc.
Top illustration and product shots: © 2021-2023 Janet Giampietro
