Unique Gifts for the Holidays

Shopping in an antiques and collectibles store for Christmas and Hanukkah gifts is not only fun, but it is also rewarding for the gift’s recipient.  We all enjoy it when people recognize our unique qualities as a person if we know how to read their mind.  The best place to find a gift that reflects that individuality is often in an antiques and collectibles store.  One-of-a-kind gifts can be found for the one-of-a-kind person.

Shopping in an antiques and collectibles store is also a way to shop “green.” Antiquers and collectors are the original recyclers.  We were ahead of our time in re-use of objects for decorating as well as for personal pleasure.  Pass this ethic on to others in your family:  something doesn’t have to be new (and often made in China) to have value.  It doesn’t have to be expensive.  Many, if not most, of the gift suggestions that follow cost less than $10.00 in my store, Barn House Antiques in Lansing, NY.

Here are some ideas for unique gifting:

-For the Gardener or a Secret Santa Gift: trim your potted ivy or jade plant, root your cuttings, and put them in a vintage ceramic figural planter ($3.-$10.).  Give them a flower frog ($3.-$8.) to arrange flowers, but also for use as a paperweight or pencil holder.

-For the scrapbooker: Get some vintage type pieces ($2-5.) to create unique embellishments of letters or old advertising for their pages.

-For the poker player: Find a pack or two of vintage playing cards ($2.-$4.).

-For the cook: Give them a vintage gadget that’s fun to use: a melon baller, a fancy peeler or slicer, or a wood handled slotted spoon ($1.-$8.).  Buy them a vintage apron with a holiday theme ($4.-$6.).

-For the home bartender: Shot glasses of every variety are fun to use ($1.-$3.).

-For the Hobbyist:  Buy them a book on their area of interest, such as photography, gardening, woodworking, carving, needlework, and doll making or collecting ($1.-$8.).

-For Everyone: Give them a handful of books on a topic they’ll love.  For thye price of one book nwew, you can buy them 5 or more books! Give them a LIFE or LOOK magazine published in the year of their birth ($3.)  Frame a vintage postcard ($1.-$3.) of their hometown.  Buy them a dated ornament from their birth year ($1.-$8.).  Use a vintage scarf ($1.-$4.) to wrap a present in, making it a 2-in-1 present.  Buy a used children’s book with wonderful illustrations ($.50-$2.).  Cut out a favorite picture and frame it for a child’s room.  (Please do not do this on a rare or vintage book, especially if it’s in good condition!  To check book values, go to www.abebooks.com.).

For unique gifts over $10., I suggest the following:

-For the walker or jogger:  Give them a fur muff ($40.) to keep their hands warm and to hold their keys in the inner pocket.

-For the collector of linens, fabrics, or feed bags:  Give them an antique wooden ladder or drying rack to lean against the wall to drape their collections on.

-For the toy collector: Give them a glass jar of marbles ($25.-$45.).

-For everyone: Present them with a vintage pocket watch ($60-$300.).  Buy them a sparkling vintage necklace ($4.-$25.).  Bring dessert on a beautiful cakestand, then leave it for them to keep ($15.-$30.).  Bring a bouquet in a lovely handblown vase ($20.-$60.)

Gift them with a set of salt and pepper shakers in a theme they’ll love ($2.-$10.)  Present them with a vintage holiday tablecloth ($10-25.) or Christmas tree pin ($3.-25.).  Everyone likes framed mirrors ($25+).

If you still cannot decide on a special something for that special person, give them a gift certificate so they can hunt for it themselves.  Our inventory at Barn house Antiques is always changing.  A mid-winter visit to an antiques and collectibles shop is always a good excursion and diversion on a dreary day.

Barn House Antiques is located at 308 Peruville Rd., (Rt. 34B), Lansing, NY. Call for info, 607-533-8636.

By Karen Hewitt