Vintage gifting

Dreading the commercialized and materialistic holiday season? Avoid malls and support small businesses in your local antique district. Grab a hot beverage, and stroll through Broadway’s Antique row in Denver or Historic Old Town in Littleton, and make a day of it. Not only will you find one-of-a-kind items, but you will also be supporting small businesses. Supporting the local economy extends the value of your gift beyond your own person. As a bonus, you can avoid the I-got-her-that-same-sweater debacle by getting your sister something vintage and unique.

Who wouldn’t want an antique cloisonné bracelet or original 1950s cufflinks? Many things were made better 50-some years ago and buying the originals keeps China from making more cheaply made reproductions. And, for the person who has most everything, a 1960s Playboy is always an option. You could just give it for the look on his face, if anything

Countless possessions have been cherished for generations. There is a reason people buy “keepsake” items, to be passed down from parent to progeny and so on.  They have survived the things that wear out and break, making them the crème of the crop. By owning a vintage item, you own a part of history and are allowing its story to continue. The continued story of, say, the keepsake candy dish could be written by your friend who just needs to include that last esoteric piece to call her new apartment home.

Buying antiques is an investment. Even those who don’t watch Antiques Roadshow can attest to that. A record player sitting on the table and the record collection hanging above it could make a nice decorative addition to any room, and they will only go up in value. Or, for the dedicated reader, an early edition of a favorite classic novel could provide immediate entertainment and future financial fallback.

If one wants a secure investment, rare gold and silver coins are always a sought-after commodity. They have the advantage of being small enough to fit into a lockbox or that somewhat secret hiding place.  For a surefire shopping adventure, pop into your local antique shop and buy that eccentric gift.