History Buff Holiday Gift Guide
(Dear Santa…)
I’m shamelessly stealing this idea from Plodding Through The Presidents’ The Absolute Best Gifts for History Lovers list. And turning it into a personal Christmas registry. I’ve been a very good girl this year.
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
Attire
T-shirts
Speaking of Plodding Through The Presidents, check out their irreverent and (quietly) dirty shirts. Or plop the design on a mug, sweatshirt, sticker, etc. instead. It even comes in festive colors, like Red Heather!
My favorites:
⭐Mount Jerry Warren G. Harding shirt [giggle] This shirt is filthy, yet I can wear it in public because no one knows. If I catch anyone laughing at it, then I know I’ve found my people.
🎅Gouverneur Morris shirt (If you know, you know. And if you know, you’re squirming.)
Visit the Plodding Through The Presidents store for more.
Sidenote: If you haven’t subscribed to their podcast, definitely give it a listen. It’s hysterical.
Presidential socks
⭐Thanks to two different amazing friends, I have quite a presidential sock collection. Find the blue, abstract socks from the History Store. (They have Teddy Roosevelt, too! 🎅) The others come in a set that also includes Queen Elizabeth. A little random, but I’m in no position to judge.
Infant bodysuits
Never have I ever referred to these things as “infant bodysuits”. Turns out the term I’m most familiar with is trademarked. Who knew? In any case, I have a few infant bodysuits available… with more on the way!
Artwork
Presidential portraits
🎅First, I want an office. Then I want a fabulous Lena Verderano Reynoso painting to hang in it. Be sure to also check out her presidential maladies plates.
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.
Mug
How about a POTUS or FLOTUS mug?
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. 🎅
Games
LearningPlunge games
⭐U.S. geography, history, and trivia games for all ages — board games and virtual options. Check ‘em out!
Drinkin’ with Lincoln Party Games
This is worth a click just to see the beautiful illustrations on the shot glasses. Five different games included.
Books
Anything by Candice Millard
⭐Destiny of the Republic and River of Doubt focus on two of the presidents I find the most interesting. Don’t even get me started about these books. I could talk about them nonstop. And I have. Just comment below if you want me to drone on endlessly about why you should read them.
🎅I haven’t read Hero of the Empire: The Boer War, A Daring Escape and the Making of Winston Churchill yet, but it’s on my list!
Forty Ways to Look at Winston Churchill
⭐If someone on your list is into Churchill, Forty Ways to Look at Winston Churchill: A Brief Account of a Long Life by Grechen Rubin is unique — and an easy read.
The Daughters of Yalta
The Churchills, Roosevelts, and Harrimans: A Story of Love and War
⭐This beautifully-written book by Catherine Grace Katz is tragically apropos these days. I loved doodling my way through it and was bummed when the book ended.
SIDE NOTE: Is it just me, or is Winston Churchill getting disproportionate play in this list? If you’re aiming for a Churchill-themed gift, you might as well throw in some Stiff Upper Lip Balm. 🎅
The Cabinet: George Washington and the Creation of an American Institution
⭐Dr. Lindsay Chervinsky’s book is a fascinating look at how Washington set things up for himself and his successors. It also holds the distinction of the most entries in my Things That Sound Dirty But Aren’t collection.
🎅Barack Obama’s presidential memoir (the first volume, anyhow). Yes, please.
🎅I’ve been wanting to read Michelle Obama’s memoir ever since it was released.
For an Obama-themed gift, consider including Barack O-Balma Lip Balm.🎅
Presidential Campaign Posters: Two Hundred Years of Election Art
🎅This book looks incredible. But it’s nearly $100 for a used, soft cover copy. What gives?
The Humanity Archive: Recovering the Soul of Black History from a Whitewashed American Myth
🎅Jermaine Fowler’s book doesn’t come out until February. But, Santa, I don’t mind an IOU.
A Man of Iron: The Turbulent Life and Improbable Presidency of Grover Cleveland
🎅Because I’ve only read two books about Cleveland and not this one by Troy Senik…?
Wounded Knee: Party Politics and the Road to an American Massacre
🎅According to a podcast interview I heard with author Heather Cox Richardson, Benjamin Harrison “belongs on the pantheon of wienies” so I obviously need to know more.
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To see the full list of books (with covers and more info), visit my Bookshop listing.
Looking for ideas for kids? Check out my recommendations!
Disclaimer: I’m a new 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.
Stationery
Presidential greeting cards
🎅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 to just two!)
Rubber stamps and note cards
There are a few rubber stamps and note cards available in my little store, including a stamp of Benjamin Harrison wearing a Santa hat. Which, I realize, just looks like a stamp of Santa. But still!
Etc.
Presidential busts
⭐I saw a Martin Van Buren bust at a museum and decided I really wanted a presidential bust. I didn’t tell anyone. By the time I got home, my friend Brendan (brendanontheinternet) had left a George Washington bust on my porch. He also followed it up with Abe Lincoln. Seek out Avon's presidential bust perfume at garage sales. I’m not kidding. They are the best gifts ever. Do not, I repeat, do not open them up and smell the perfume. Repulsive. But, man, they make me smile.
⭐My colleagues gave me an FDR bronze bust and I’m pretty sure I squealed when I opened it.
Presidential trading cards and stickers
Ok, so I haven’t followed through on my goal to open an actual shop on my website (yet!). But in the meantime, if you want a pack of POTUS trading cards — reach out. Cost: $30 for all fifteen cards, $5 for an individual card, or you can request several of the same card.
Periodic Table of Presidents
I love this, though I do dispute some of the categorization. It comes framed or unframed. Click here for a picture.
Presidential plants
Yeah, it’s a thing! My mom bought me Ulysses S. Grant and Grover Cleveland hostas and an Abe Lincoln lilac.
Metal book darts
⭐When I read, I fill my books with little tabs marking everything I want to draw. I reuse the tabs over and over, but they inevitably lose their stickiness and fall out of the pages and smack me in the face when I read (half-asleep) in bed, scaring me wide awake. A dear friend gave me a tin of metal book darts. No more terrifying falling tabs!
Eleanor Roosevelt tote bags
Pack up your gifts in an inspirational Eleanor Roosevelt tote bag.
Happy shopping and wishing you a delightful holiday season!
Hey, pssssst: I’m adding items to my little store regularly. If you have any ideas or requests, let me know. I just may add your request to the mix!
