Gift Ideas for your Pet Historian

Welcome back to the History Nook.

Today we’re exploring ideas for gifts for your pet historian. As we are getting closer to the gifting season I thought this would be a valuable resource.

So grab your favourite mug, find a soft space to curl up, and let’s wander a little deeper into the past. As I mentioned in So You’re Dating a Historian there are many different flavours of historian, and I highly recommend learning what flavour yours is before buying them gifts. Some like to collect trinkets and oddities, some would prefer a handmade scarf, and some may prefer a nice notebook and pen. I've split the list below into categories.

Curios, Trinkets and Oddities

Crystals, rocks, bones, fossils, replica objects, small antique items, vintage brooches and jewellery, taxidermy insects, magnets or pins. A lot of museum gift shops online and in person have a range of small gifts that fit into this category. A few that I have found are miniature replica ancient Egyptian statues, a pin of the Sutton Hoo helmet, small fossils, and a crystal with googly eyes. Etsy and eBay are also good places to look for oddities and curios. I bought most of my fossils and my taxidermy beetles through eBay.

Books

If they are collecting a series of books, that is always a great option. I guarantee you that the book loving historian in your life will have a wishlist of books that they can send to you. If your historian likes to cook you can find historical recipe books.

Reading accessories are also a great option. A nice reading light if they need one, a reading stand, bookmarks, a book sleeve to keep their books safe when traveling, even a notebook to write down their favourite quotes from books is a nice option.

Subscriptions

Subscriptions are the gift that keeps on giving... cheesy right? But, also true. History Hit run a subscription book club as well as being a subscription based streaming service for history content. There is also History Extra which is another subscription based service where you can access articles and educational content. Letters from a Far is a delightful subscription that I get for myself. You're sent a letter each month from different places around the world. The Great Courses Plus is a streaming service for lectures on a wide range of subjects.

Home Décor

Will someone please buy me an armillary sphere! Wait... who said that? Moving on... Museum gift shops are a great option again for themed home décor items. There are also plenty of history and museum inspired calendars out there. Two that come to mind are the Museum Bums calendar and Medieval Dick Pics (which I have, and love.) If your historian is the cosy type, candles and blankets are good options, especially if the blanket is extra fluffy or is related to one of their interests.

Sentimental Gifts

Scrapbooks and scrapbooking supplies, photo albums filled with postcards from museums you have visited together, a journal with a personal message inside.. something that is special and unique to them and you.

My family had the tin of chocolates of Christmas tradition but my house mate is lactose intolerant. So now I buy her some lactose free chocolate each year. Those small gifts that says "I see you" can mean so much, not just to your historian but to anyone in your life.

When in Doubt

Ask them what they may want. It may feel a bit awkward, but trust me, it's worth doing.

I hope this list has given you some ideas.

Thank you for reading—I hope you enjoyed your time in the History Nook today. Until next time: stay curious, and keep warm.