The holiday season has arrived and, once again, Taylor Research Group is here to help you find that elusive gift for the history buffs in your life! Here are our top picks for the historically inclined:

For the mixologist…

If you are shopping for someone who loves to host large gatherings, enjoys a well-crafted cocktail, or has an interest in culinary history, consider a historic cocktail guide such as The Bar-Tender’s Guide by Jerry Thomas (1862) or Harry Craddock’s The Savoy Cocktail Book (1930) to introduce them to bygone beverages. For fans of more modern mixology, Cure: New Orleans Drinks and How to Mix ‘Em combines over 100 cocktail recipes with tales from the city’s history.

For connoisseurs who prefer to read about historical beverages rather than consume them (or while consuming them), David Wondrich’s Imbibe! or Wayne Curtis’s And a Bottle of Rum make for perfect gifts. Wondrich explores the history of cocktail making in America, while Curtis recounts the global history of titular liquor from pirates’ grog on the high seas to chic Cold War-era daiquiris. (And, while historic guides currently available as reprints make great gifts, you may be able to take gift-giving to the next level with an original edition from your favorite antique bookstore!)

For the LEGO fan…

LEGO sets are well-known as a fun and creative gift for both kids and adults, and many popular sets have a historical theme. LEGO’s Architecture series allows builders to reconstruct several famous historical structures, like the Great Pyramid of Giza and Japan’s Himeji Castle. Other historically-themed sets include the whimsical Evolution of STEM, Leonardo da Vinci’s Flying Machine, and the expansive and Easter egg-laden LEGO Natural History Museum. If they want to take a break from building, The Secret Life of LEGO Bricks and The Big Book of LEGO Facts present interesting insights into the history of the company and the hobby it created.

For philatelists and other fans of the U.S. Postal Service…

Did you know that the U.S. Postal Service turned 250 years old this year? Created by the Second Continental Congress in July 1775, USPS is one of America’s oldest and most celebrated institutions. Whether your gift recipient fondly remembers the days of pen pals, always sends a postcard from their vacation destination, is a devoted stamp collector, or simply enjoys checking the mail each day, the USPS bicentennial is a perfect opportunity to give something unique. In addition to many different collectible stamp options, consider the official USPS 250^th anniversary history, Delivering for America: How the United States Postal Service Built a Nation, or perhaps commemorative 250^th anniversary apparel such as the USPS 250 baseball cap or t-shirt featuring the first postmaster general, Benjamin Franklin.You can also challenge them to a game of The Great American Mail Race or collaborate on one of the ten different puzzles in the USPS store.

For soap and cosmetic enthusiasts who crave that vintage vibe…

Bathing has been enjoyed throughout history, so why not add some vintage flair? Inspired by the early Virginia colonists who made their own soap, Colonial Williamsburg’s historical soap set is made to replicate the finest “triple-milled” soaps of the era, enriched with olive oil. Historic Soap Company, an Etsy vendor, sells modern soaps inspired by historic events. Their soap celebrating the 19^th Amendment pays homage to the suffrage movement’s colors of purple, white, and gold, while their Boston Tea Party soap has hints of coffee, chocolate, honey, and cream.

For lovers of vintage glamour, Bésame Cosmetics is known for their elegant lipsticks that replicate hard-to-find historical hues. Their signature Victory Red was meticulously researched over the course of six years to capture the precise shade, wear, and consistency of the color worn by women in the U.S. military during the 1940s.

For the young historian…

Board games are a great holiday activity for friends and family. The Professor Noggin trivia card series covers a range of scientific and historical themes, the latter  History of the United States, the American Revolution, the American Civil War, Ancient Civilizations, History of Canada, and History of Art . These games are suitable for ages 7 and up.

For tween and teenage history connoisseurs, Academy Games has strategy-based board games that are set in different historical periods. Players can be influential English nobles in Tudor, command troops during the American Revolution in 1775: Rebellion, help enslaved people escape bondage in Freedom – The Underground Railroad, or win the space race in One Small Step.

For the Wikipedia reader…

If you’re shopping for someone who is always falling down Wikipedia rabbit holes, spends their free time editing Wikipedia entries, or just enjoys sharing the myriad of facts that they’ve learned on the site, we recommend shopping the official Wikipedia Store. From apparel to stationary to travel games, the Wikipedia Store offers a variety of unique, branded items. All purchases support everyone’s favorite free encyclopedia.

Need more inspiration? Check out our 2024, 2023, and 2022 gift guides as well!

Note: TRG is not affiliated with any of the institutions or companies above and we have not received payment or commission for the products linked in this post.