25 Best Gift Ideas for History Buffs They’ll Love
If you have a history buff in your life, you know that finding the perfect gift can be a challenge. You want to get them something unique and meaningful that also speaks to their love of all things historical. Fortunately, there are plenty of gift ideas out there that will delight any history lover.
For history buffs, there’s nothing better than receiving a gift that celebrates their love for the past. From ancient civilizations to modern events, the history of the world is rich and fascinating, making it an endless source of inspiration for unique and meaningful gifts. However, with so many options available, it can be challenging to decide on the perfect gift for the history enthusiast in your life.
In this gift guide, we’ve compiled a list of the best gifts for history buffs, so you can find the perfect present for the history lover in your life. From books and documentaries to collectibles and travel experiences, our guide has something for every type of history buff, so you can give a gift that will be cherished and enjoyed for years to come.
Why trust Gift Brilliant’s gift recommendations? We won’t overwhelm you with a huge list of gift ideas that people don’t really want. We share gift options that we have personally gifted or received, gifts that others have told us they loved, and a few gift ideas that we would love to have ourselves!
Finding the Best Gift Ideas for History Buffs
One thing to keep in mind when shopping for a history buff is that they tend to have a keen eye for authenticity. They appreciate items that are true to the time period they represent and that capture the spirit of the era. With that in mind, here are some gift ideas that are sure to please.
Historical Artifacts: A piece of history is always a great gift for a history buff. Whether it’s a piece of pottery from ancient Greece or a Civil War-era musket ball, an authentic artifact can transport your loved one back in time and give them a tangible connection to the past. You can usually find these in antique shops, on eBay, or even at estate sales and yard sales.
History Books: For those who love to read, historical fiction can be a great gift. Not only does it provide a glimpse into the past, but it also allows the reader to experience historical events through the eyes of fictional characters. A great nonfiction history book can also be really interesting for someone who wants to dig into the important events in a specific time period.
Museum Memberships: If your history buff loves to visit museums, consider getting them a membership to their favorite museum. This will give them unlimited access to exhibits and events and allow them to stay up-to-date on the latest historical discoveries.
Historical Tours: For a truly immersive historical experience, consider booking a historical tour. Whether it’s a walking tour of a historic neighborhood or a guided tour of a famous battlefield, your history buff will love the opportunity to learn more about their favorite time period. We love to check out all of the tours and historical sites in Savannah, Georgia – one of my favorite places with tons of history!
No matter what gift you choose, remember that the key to pleasing history lovers is authenticity. Look for items that capture the essence of the time period and that will transport your loved one back in time.
History Gifts That Any History Lover Will Enjoy
Whether you’re looking for a unique Christmas gift or just something really cool to surprise your history buff friend, we’re sure you’ll find the perfect thing in our list of the best history gifts! Check out our top picks below.
This Replica Bust of Augustus Caesar is a stunning piece of historical art that captures the essence of one of the most significant figures in ancient Roman history. This bust is crafted with the utmost attention to detail and features a highly realistic and accurate representation of Augustus Caesar. Hand-cast using real crushed stone bonded with durable designer resin, this 18 inch tall bust is a must-have for history enthusiasts and collectors alike, making it the perfect addition to any home or office.
Here is a wonderful gift that your family member or friend can enjoy over and over again. With this subscription, your loved one will receive a monthly package containing a high-quality replica of a historical document, along with accompanying context pages that provide relevant details about the document and the time period in which it was created.
Each package is carefully curated from some of the best archives in the world, making this a truly one-of-a-kind gift. The monthly subscription is available in 6-month or 12-month options, and can be sent as a gift with a personalized message.
We're pretty sure this is the ultimate gift for history buffs. At least those who are passionate about American history. This beautifully framed reproduction of the original Declaration of Independence is a must-have for any history lover. Hang it in an office, in the living room, or anywhere you want to admire it daily.
This history calendar is a great way to learn something new every day. The 365 pages are filled with remarkable people, extraordinary events, and fascinating facts. Each day features a different entry, covering a wide range of topics from history. It's a great way to keep learning and expanding your knowledge, and is a good choice when shopping for history aficionados of all ages.
A good book for a history buff looking for a great conversation starter, Interesting Stories for Curious People covers not only the greatest stories in world history but also science, pop culture, and really anything else you can think of. If you love learning random facts about just about anything and everything, Interesting Stories for Curious People is the perfect gift for you to flip through to find your new random fact to impress people with.
Everyone loves Monopoly! This classic family-friendly board game is a nice gift for history nerds to help them share history knowledge trivia and try to make it to the end.
This special edition of the classic game features iconic moments from the war, such as Pearl Harbor, D-Day, and the Battle of the Bulge, as well as custom tokens like the B-17 bomber and combat boots. Players can wheel and deal their way to victory as they establish camps and headquarters and build support for their cause.
Suitable for ages 8 and up, this game is a great way to honor the brave men and women who fought for freedom during World War II.
Many of these gift ideas are available with Amazon Prime’s fast free shipping (often arriving in just one or two days!). If you’re not already a Prime member, you can get a 30-day FREE trial of Amazon Prime here!
This replica World War Whistle is a fun gift for anyone that loves to study American history, specifically the first world war.
Stamped with the year 1916, this whistle is a unique gift for a WWI history fan.
Want to add icing to the whistle cake? Add on this World War 1 memorabilia pack to really make your gift over the top.
What do you give a history geek who has a mouth like a sailor? This book.
F*cking History is a great way to learn about history without feeling like you're reading a boring textbook. The short, two-page stories are perfect for those who want to learn something new but don't have a lot of time to commit to reading.
The book is also incredibly entertaining and humorous, making it a great gift for those who love to laugh while learning about their favorite subject. The stories cover a wide range of historical events and figures, so there's something for everyone to enjoy.
An ideal gift for the landmark history buff, this Lego Architecture version of the Statue of Liberty is a great way to help out a friend who may not be able to travel to New York City to see Lady Liberty in person. Fun to build and beautiful to display for the history fanatic looking for a challenge!
Based off of the oldest surviving monogatari - fictional prose narrative - with elements of Japanese folklore, Studio Ghibli's The Tale of The Princess Kaguya pays homage to the 10th century story The Tale of the Bamboo Cutter. This stunning work of historical fiction could also be considered proto-science fiction given its similarities to modern day superhero origin stories. Anyone with an interest in Ancient Japanese history - especially their art, folklore, or even literature - or anyone who is a fan of Studio Ghibli is sure to appreciate The Tale of The Princess Kaguya.
Paris is famous for its aesthetically beautiful and romantic architecture, the most notable being the Eiffel Tower. Anyone with an interest in French culture or interior design would surely love to display the Eiffel Tower on their mantel.
If you're looking for history gifts for kids, you won't find any better set of books than the I Survived series. Perfect for kids in grades 3-6 who love thrilling chapter books based on real events in history, each story is like a time machine that sends young readers into the point of view of different characters who were present in various historical events.
My son read almost every one of these books in elementary school and loved them. He couldn't get enough!
Not all history gifts must be serious - there are funny history gifts out there too! While Julius Caesar might not think this pencil holder is funny, we certainly do. Stab Caesar in the back with your pens and pencils. Just use your own judgement when gifting this to your boss or best friend.
Anyone looking to learn the details of the life of Benjamin Franklin needs to read his autobiography!
Written completely by one of history's most influential men, Benjamin Franklin took the time to write up his life story to pass on life lessons for generations to come.
This book is a must read among history buffs and will complete almost any bookshelf this year!
Whether the history buff on your gift list this year is 8 years old or 80, this book is an excellent gift.
Dive into a variety of tools used in warfare throughout history with this visual guide to help readers learn about military history on a deeper level. Military History is the ultimate guide to weapons, vehicles, hardware, and equipment of war throughout history.
To help them dive deeper, pair this book with this guide on Battles that Changed History.
A fun way to incorporate the entire family in some history, this card game is a perfect gift this holiday season. Deal or Duel is a game to help you deal with issues in the way that America did in its earliest days, as Alexander Hamilton did. This would also make a great American History teacher gift for them to play with the class.
This historic action card game whose simple objective is as old as Ameritocracy itself: get all the money or die trying.
Trust me, they will love this game!
Whether they are history buffs or major fans of the broadway play ‘Hamilton’, this Alexander Hamilton cosplay hoodie is the perfect gift. Help them dress up as a soldier fighting for America’s freedom with this awesome gift.
On the hoodie, a soldier's coat is screen printed to help make their costume easy and fun all year long.
With Bad Days in History, you'll get a daily dose of interesting and often bizarre historical facts and events. From the strange death of King Edmund Ironside to the disastrous premiere of Stravinsky's Rite of Spring, this book covers a wide range of topics and time periods. The entries are well-written and engaging, with a humorous tone that makes even the most tragic events entertaining to read about.
Puzzles have so many positive reactions on our mental development, so why not invest in a beautiful puzzle as a gift for history buffs on your list? This Anatolian puzzle is ideal for any Frida Kahlo fan- not only is it of one of the most famous latin American artists in the world, but the colors on this puzzle is just gorgeous.
The final picture is one of Kahlo’s famous self-portraits, making any art history fanatic squeal with joy when they open it.
Speaking of Frida Kahlo, did you know that she has her own Barbie? How amazing is that?
Mattel created a series of barbies for inspiring women and they were wise enough to include one of Latin America’s most famous painters!
This gift would be the perfect gift for this holiday season!
Related: The Best Gifts that Empower Women and Celebrate Feminism
Looking for a history action figure for that special person on your list? Look no further than one of America’s favorite presidents- the John F. Kennedy action Figure.
Standing at 8 inches, this John F. Kennedy action figure would be perfect on any history buff's desk!
For anyone interested in the history of the world and how countries came to be, this book is a great gift. Each page covers years of world history and goes map by map so readers have a visual look on how the world we have come to be, one country at a time.
With over 140 beautifully created maps, readers will be able to see not just where we are going, but where we have been.
Well it wouldn't be a complete list of gift ideas for history buffs without a history buff t-shirt, would it? This comfy shirt is a great gift option for anyone who loves history. The design is fun and unique, making it a great conversation starter.
No matter what my children say, socks are always a great gift idea. These socks feature a variety of famous historical figures, including George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin, Abraham Lincoln, John F. Kennedy (JFK), and Queen Elizabeth. History fans will love wearing these comfy socks six days out of the week!
Chronology is a great game for anyone who enjoys learning about history while having fun. Build your own timeline of cards and test your knowledge of historical events. The first player to build a timeline of 10 cards wins! Recommended for 2 to 8 players, ages 14+. Easy to learn and play, and includes 429 double-sided cards with 858 events.
History buffs are a unique group of people who appreciate the past and all its complexities. Finding the perfect gift for them can be a challenge, but with the right approach, it can be a rewarding experience.
From card games and board games that test their knowledge to subscriptions that transport them back in time, there are plenty of gift ideas that are sure to delight any history lover. Whether you’re shopping for a birthday, holiday, or special occasion, consider these gift ideas to help you find the perfect present for the history buff in your life.
So tell me… what did I miss in this list of gifts? Do you know of awesome history buff gift ideas that didn’t make the list? Tell me in the comments below!
Amanda
Amanda is a mom of four kids, two dogs, a cat, and a few hundred composting worms. As a former teacher, former fitness instructor, and the oldest of a houseful of kids, she has quite a bit of experience educating others – which she now does via writing! Gift giving isn’t her main love language, but she loves shopping for the perfect gifts for others.
You can find her on her main blog at amandaseghetti.com and on all social media @amandaseghetti <3
