History Buff Holiday Gift Guide: 2023
(Dear Santa…)
Last year, I stole this idea from Plodding Through The Presidents’ The Absolute Best Gifts for History Lovers list. I turned it into a personal Christmas registry. I’ve been a very good girl again this year, so I updated my list.
Anything else I should ask Santa for? Comment below.
KEY
🎅Adding this to my letter to Santa
⭐I have this (and/or have tried this) and love it
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Books
In no particular order…
The First Lady of World War II: Eleanor Roosevelt's Daring Journey to the Frontlines and Back
⭐by Shannon McKenna Schmidt
Through a little serendipity, I got to meet the author last year and hear her speak about Eleanor Roosevelt. It was awesome. I’m reading her book now and loving it.
When Harry Met Pablo: Truman, Picasso, and the Cold War Politics of Modern Art
⭐by Matthew Algeo
This is next up on my pile and I’m really excited. Matt generously sent me a few copies — two to giveaway to POTUS Notice subscribers. Stay tuned for opportunities to win a copy in November and December.
America Redux: Visual Stories from Our Dynamic History
⭐Ariel Aberg-Riger
This. Book. Is. Everything. It’s beautiful. It’s thought-provoking. It’s eye-opening and jaw-dropping. It’s important. It’s a must read.
The First Conspiracy: The Secret Plot to Kill George Washington
⭐ by Josh Mensch and Brad Meltzer
This story is bananas. Take a peek at my sketchbook if you need any convincing (don’t worry — I didn’t add any big spoilers).
Gallop Toward the Sun: Tecumseh and William Henry Harrison's Struggle for the Destiny of a Nation
🎅Peter Stark
Mourning the Presidents: Loss and Legacy in American Culture
🎅Edited by Lindsay M. Chervinsky and Matthew R. Costello
Presidential Grave Hunter: One Kid's Quest to Visit the Tombs of Every President and Vice President
⭐by Kurt Deion
I’ve never met Kurt in person (though I did get absolutely decimated by him twice in trivia), but thanks to the magic of the internet it seems like we know each other. It was such a treat to read about his grave-hunting escapades. (Future printings of his book will include my review, which I may or may not be kinda dorking out over.)
Impossible Escape: A True Story of Survival and Heroism in Nazi Europe
⭐ by Steve Sheinkin
I heard Sheinkin and Bruchac (below) speak at an event recently and immediately added both of these books to my teetering must-read pile.
Of All Tribes: American Indians and Alcatraz
⭐ Joseph Bruchac
Hero of the Empire: The Boer War, a Daring Escape, and the Making of Winston Churchill
🎅Candice Millard
🎅Cabinet Magazine
President Garfield: From Radical to Unifier
🎅C.W. Goodyear
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For the little ones, consider:
Thomas Jefferson's Battle for Science: Bias, Truth, and a Mighty Moose!
by Beth Anderson and illustrated by Jeremy Holmes
You can learn more about all of these books in my Bookshop. Or check out last year’s list if you want more options.
Disclaimer: I’m a Bookshop.org affiliate and have included a few affiliate links for some of the books in this post. If you click through and make a purchase from an affiliate link, I earn a commission that helps support my project.
Artwork
Lena Verderano Reynoso
🎅First, I want a real office. Then I want a fabulous Lena Verderano Reynoso painting to hang in it. Related Presidents and Warren G. Harding are shown below. Be sure to also check out her presidential maladies plates, ornaments, and coasters.
🎅 (Psst, Santa — The Jefferson Buttock Boils coaster would look fantastic on my desk. Hint, hint.)
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Katie Brookoff
🎅Cartoonist Katie Brookoff is on a mission to make Presidents’ Day a fun holiday. Check out her charming presidential greeting cards. (It wasn’t easy narrowing these down!)
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Michele Benton
🎅No joke, I came across Michele’s art while I was at a café discussing presidents and other historic stuff with a friend. Giant paintings of Benjamin Franklin, Alexander Hamilton, and more adorned the walls and looked down at me. As soon as I got home, I looked her up and sent her a DM. To the best of my knowledge, she’s the only former pro basketball player featured in this gift guide.
Visit Michele Benton Art to peruse her incredible artwork and products. PLUS! Use promo code POTUS to get 10% off everything on her website except jackets.
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Larry Stuart
The typography… (gasp!!). It’s worth a visit to Larry’s website to check out more of his work. Or head right over to his shop, where you’ll find an assortment of prints … all with stunning hand-lettering. You can order his work in a variety of sizes and formats.
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Holli Conger
Holli makes the coolest collages and three-dimensional pieces. You can find a few patriotic pieces (original art, prints, and stickers) in her shop.
Attire
T-shirts
Check out Plodding Through the Presidents’ irreverent and [quietly] dirty shirts. Or plop the design on a mug, sweatshirt, sticker, etc. instead. They even come in festive colors, like Red Heather! Two (still!) on my wish list:
🎅Gouverneur Morris shirt (If you know, you know. And if you know, you’re squirming.)
Side note: If you haven’t subscribed to their podcast, definitely give it a listen. It’s hysterical.
Presidential socks
🎅I don’t have any Theodore Roosevelt socks yet and I feel like maybe I need a pair. The Washington socks are pretty sharp, too. Check ‘em out.
Baby body suits
How cute is Theo (son of U.S. Presidential history fanatic Dead POTUS Society) modeling his Theodore Roosevelt body suit?!
Food & drink
Waffles
⭐Did you know Thomas Jefferson introduced waffles to the United States? In honor of his delicious contribution to the fabric of our country, waffles make a perfect gift. Send Me Waffles ships Belgian Liege waffles (imagine if a donut and a soft pretzel had a baby) around the U.S. Choose a flavor and a festive holiday message, too.
Wine
⭐The Federalist Wines boast options with George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln, and Benjamin Franklin adorning the bottles. I’ve yet to try Honest Red Blend, with Abe. Hint, hint. 🎅
Misc.
Presidential busts
⭐I have three in my collection now, the newest being FDR (a gift from my colleagues!). (🎅Eleanor has one, too! Hers is bigger.)
Custom inspector stamp
🎅Yeah, yeah… I know I already have far too many types of business cards for someone who rarely ventures anywhere. That said, I really think I need a custom inspector stamp like the ones used by health inspectors and train conductors way back when. It’s tiny. Portable. Can go right on my key chain. The only problem is what to put on it. (Theodore Roosevelt’s glasses/stache/and teeth, along with my URL? I don’t know! I can’t commit.) Check it out and let me know that you definitely agree that I absolutely need at least one of these.
LearningPlunge games
⭐U.S. geography, history, and trivia games for all ages — board games and virtual options. Check ‘em out!
My little shop
Last winter, I played around with a little store. It was sooo much fun (I still feel fancy drinking out of my Mustachioed Manchild glass and using my presidential insults napkin). I haven’t really had an opportunity to add to it lately, but there are still a few items to peruse. If you’re looking for a specific POTUS-themed gift, let me know. (Or if you’re a buyer for a historic site and are into wholesale orders, please reach out.)
Happy shopping and wishing you a delightful holiday season!
For more gift ideas, check out these older posts:
