Have a friend or family member who loves history and is always sharing fascinating facts? These unique, thoughtful gifts have historical connections and are sure to be appreciated by any history buff.
Prices and availability are subject to change.
$22 from Amazon
Not your average history book, this book takes a lighthearted and entertaining approach to history. It highlights key events that occurred on each day, but it does so in vivid, descriptive, and narrative style. It makes expanding your history knowledge fun, and is a book you can easily pick up for a few minutes here and there.
$150 and up from The New York Times Store
The Ultimate Birthday Book is a personalized gift that contains The New York Times’ front page from the gift recipient’s birthday, as well as from every following birthday. You can choose a premium linen or leatherette cover, and the book comes in a box ready for gifting.
$40 and up from Uncommon Goods
With this six-month subscription, history lovers will receive monthly replicas of fascinating historical documents. The documents arrive with a letter that details important information so the recipient understands the full historical context and significance of each document. This gift makes for an ongoing experience for the recipient.
$90 from Etsy
This customized document captures the recipient’s European family history. It includes a walnut frame for a beautiful display, and plexiglass protects the documents. This gift makes it easy to learn about your family history, and it also makes for long-lasting wall decor.
Related: Gifts for Men Who Have Everything
$16 and up from Uncommon Goods
These distinctive glasses honor four brave women who changed history. The glasses celebrate Sojourner Truth, Marie Curie, Harriet Tubman, and Clara Barton. Available as a single glass or a set of four, the glasses feature each woman’s signature and writing highlights.
$85 from Historic Newspapers
Ideal for World War I buffs, this newspaper book features replicas of news articles that were published throughout the war. It includes rare photos of the war and provides insights into the major events of the time. Each page features an assortment of newspaper articles covering those key events, and you can personalize the book with a recipient’s name and personal message on the title page.
Related: The Best Heartfelt and Hilarious Personalized Gifts for Everyone on Your List
$49 from National Geographic
Known for its quality, detailed reporting on people, places, and things, National Geographic delves into history with fascinating features. A one-year subscription includes six bi-monthly print issues. Each issue is like a small book in itself, making this gift one that a history lover will get plenty of use out of.
Related: Fun and Thoughtful Gifts for Women Who Love to Read
$84 and up from TIME Cover Store
TIME has featured prolific historic figures on its covers for decades. Now, you can order canvas art prints of some of those most memorable covers to commemorate significant historical events. Prints are available featuring notable men and women such as Pope Francis, Nancy Pelosi, and President George Bush.
$20 from Amazon
Even the biggest history buff may be surprised by the stories contained in this book. These 100 fascinating history tales focus on lesser-known facts, like how running out of beer prompted the Pilgrims to land on Plymouth Rock, and how cigars influenced the Civil War’s outcome.
Related: The Best Gifts for Writers (And Not One Pen — We Promise)
$39 from Uncommon Goods
With this unique tea set, history buffs can get a taste — quite literally — of the Boston Tea Party. These teas include two green and three black varieties that are the same varieties in the tea chests thrown into Boston Harbor in 1773. The set even includes facts about the tea that was destroyed.
Related: The Best Tea-Filled Advent Calendars for a Calming Christmas Countdown
$36 from Etsy
Art history buffs will be able to learn from both the graphics and text of this poster, which includes art masterpieces from the last 5,000 years. The poster measures 55 inches tall by 24 inches wide, so it will easily fit in many spaces. It’s printed on 100-pound poster paper for durability.
Related: Creative Gifts for Artists That Are Sure to Inspire
$40/yr and up from Curiosity Stream
Curiosity Stream houses thousands of documentaries, films, series, and shows that subscribers can watch on demand, anywhere. Plenty of that content focuses on history, but you’ll also find science, nature, travel, crime, and other topics on this platform.
$43 from Barnes & Noble
Historic photos don’t have to be just black and white anymore. This book features 100 images that have been restored and colorized. They capture iconic moments like the sinking of the Titanic and the Golden Gate Bridge’s construction. Ranging from 1839 to the 20th century, the photos provide a vivid look back in time.
Related: The Best Gifts for Photographers from Newbies to Pros
$110 from History Hoard
This collection of six coins has a history dating back 2,000 years. The set includes coins from locations like Rome, China, India, and Greece, and an information card is included. The set comes with a certificate of authenticity, and the coins are packed in an acrylic display case paired with a cloth pouch to prevent scratches.
Related: Gifts That Are Made in America
$70 each from The Bradford Exchange
This cold-cast sculpture collection highlights the evolution of the Marines from origin through modern-day. Each sculpture is available for purchase separately, and they unite to form a cohesive unit. Consider giving one sculpture per year to gradually build the collection for a history buff.
$15 and up from Uncommon Goods
Cartoonists have long commented on historical events, providing important framing and background. This 50-card collection includes some of the most controversial and revolutionary cartoons created over the past 200 years. They come packed in an attractive bamboo box ready for gifting.
$10 from Amazon
This book takes a slightly different approach to history, examining the history of humankind through how we work. It begins with the Stone Age and evaluates the evolution of work through modern-day. In doing so, it highlights the role automation plays and what it might mean for our future, based on our past.
Related: Useful Gifts for All the Practical People On Your List
$30 from Uncommon Goods
History buffs can travel back to pre-Prohibition with these cocktail syrups. They’re inspired by carefully researched pre-Prohibition recipes and are full of flavor. This set includes a tonic, a simple syrup, and a grenadine syrup.
$22 and up from Etsy
Perfect for history teachers, this T-shirt highlights the importance of learning from the past. It’s available in black, navy, or dark heather, and in sizes small through 3XL. The shirt is made of 100% ring-spun cotton, so it’s both soft and comfortable. The double-stitched neckline and sleeves are durable, and the shirt is preshrunk for a great fit.
$12 from Amazon
This book chronicles Andrew Carroll’s cross-country journey as he explores unmarked sites where historic events occurred. The book includes a hefty dose of comedy as Carroll explores unique historical facts like how a 14-year-old boy’s idea prompted TV to be invented and the first use of modern anesthesia.
Price varies from Ancestry.com
With a subscription to Ancestry, history lovers can dig into the most fascinating history of all — their own. Ancestry makes it easy to understand your genealogy and learn about your ancestors’ journeys. Subscribers may learn more about their geographic origins, their modern-day family connections, and their family stories.
$17 from The History Channel Store
This book details 10 significant days and events that changed the path of the country. The content was originally a 10-hour miniseries, but it’s been adapted to a more concise book form. The book describes events like Shays’ Rebellion and Elvis Presley’s appearance on "The Ed Sullivan Show" in rich detail.
$15,000 and up from Life Time Memoirs
What better gift for a history lover than the opportunity to capture their own history in a memoir? A ghostwriter will craft a hardback memoir based on meetings and interviews with the gift recipient, creating a keepsake your whole family will treasure. This gift does come at a premium price, but it’s also the gift of a lifetime for a history buff.
Call (833) 211-7941 to find out more.
Related: Luxury Gifts Worth the Splurge
