Christmas shopping is a lot of fun for some of us, and the biggest headache for others! But even if the shopping is your jam, gifts for him for Christmas can be really tricky. One unique and cool option can be vintage items. Whether you need vintage Christmas gift ideas for a boyfriend or husband, brother, son or friend, it can be hard to choose Christmas gifts for men.

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Vintage toys or games. Go analog! Not old video games, we’re talking true old school cordless. Vintage games like chess sets, dominoes, or outdoor games like croquet. Vintage playing cards and old poker chips can be fun for card players and gamblers. Don’t forget things like vintage train sets, vintage model planes and vintage tools. All of these items are great for décor, even if they aren’t usable (or he wouldn’t want to use them).

Reasons to buy vintage. One of the nice things about vintage items is you can get something unique. Most vintage items are less widely available so whatever you choose will be more memorable. Also, vintage items can be affordable, if you know where to look. Shopping estate sales for Christmas and thrift stores are two obvious places to look, but also garage sales can be worth a trip. If you want to be more efficient than places like Etsy and eBay will have a lot of vintage items. Even those items tend to be lower than you would find at an antique store that has to mark items high enough to cover the overhead of a brick-and-mortar shop. And, of course, you have access to the entire collection, wherever it is located.

Another option with vintage items is you can match the vintage item to his job, favorite sports team, hometown or a hobby.  This can make the vintage item more personal, without having to be a perfect match. And you also don’t have to worry about the item being the right size or working perfectly like a new gift. Think décor, items that can be office art or wall art. Unless you have a specific item in mind that you know he’ll love, you might want to avoid a vintage item for him to use. In other words, don’t buy a vintage camera and hope it’s one he would use. Get a really cool one that can be displayed and looks fun, regardless of functionality.

Retro Christmas gift ideas give you an opportunity to give something truly one of a kind.

If you are shopping for yourself, or you sell vintage décor items for a business, you can shop year-round for Christmas gifts for him if you’re shopping for vintage items. Check out thrift stores, flea markets, and garage sales. And don’t forget that you can find great estate sale bargains for Christmas ideas.

That said if you want to go tech, try low tech. You can get vintage 80s tabletop video games like Q*Bert or PacMan. Or, pick up an old Atari console. If the guy in your life is Gen X, this can be a fun throwback nostalgic gift. (Unlike the analog games, though, get him one that works!).

Sports-related items. You can certainly find vintage Christmas gifts for him if they are a sports lover. From vintage American NFL football jerseys to retro soccer shirts, sports décor and apparel is always a cool gift item. You can also find vintage footballs and baseball bats and gloves. Or, go for something less literal like a limited edition collectible figurine, or wall art. And you can always update a vintage item: found the perfect vintage poster but the edges are frayed? Take it to a framing shop and have them trim the edges. Or, buy a nice new frame to really set it off. Think outside the box: true sports fans love the smaller vintage items too. Think vintage shot glasses with the team logo or even retro sports apparel like knit scarves.

Vintage gifts are more personal and can reflect his interests or hobbies.

Barware and bar decor. Vintage barware is a fun and useful item that can be a great vintage Christmas gift for fathers or husbands to use in a man cave. They are also great gifts for a new homeowner or first apartment gift. Does he drink beer? Steins or pilsners are fun and useful but decorative options. Old promotional glasses can also be fun, like limited run glasses by beer companies. If he likes to make cocktails, lowballs and cocktail (martini) glasses can be a fun and functional option. Classy classics like brandy snifters are great because they are beautiful as bar décor and a great option for holidays or special occasions. Go for classic crystal for a traditional guy or something kitsch for a bohemian type.

Don’t forget other accessories like vintage nut bowls or candy dishes. Or, get bar tools like a martini shaker or shot glasses. Finally, vintage ad signs and wall décor can be great vintage Christmas gifts for him to finish out the bar décor. You can even frame a vintage ad for a certain wine or type of liquor. And vintage can easily complement new items. For example, you can add these funny quote fabric cocktail napkins to your vintage barware gift.

Nautical décor. Is he a sailor or fisherman? You can find vintage fishing and boat wall décor, or parts of ships or fishing equipment to use as décor. For example, keep an eye out for old nautical equipment, or even vintage model ships. You can also find really fun and kitschy fisherman items from vintage t-shirts to fish-inspired clocks. That said, you don’t have to be too literal with the nautical themes: go a little more subtle like a tote bag or wallet made from recycled sailcloth.

Hobby-based items. To make it feel more personal, incorporate his hobby and interests. Vintage cameras are a great Christmas idea for photographers. You can also find things like retro signs for coffee if he’s a coffee lover. Buying for a bookworm? Consider early editions of books, vintage bookmarks or retro bookbags. Travelers might like vintage maps (and don’t forget an antique magnifying glass to go with it). Or, choose vintage items related to their specific favorite location. Writers might value a vintage typewriter, or antique fine pen. Think décor as well: old volumes of leather-bound dictionaries look beautiful in an office. And for musicians, the ideas are endless, from antique instruments to framed vintage concert posters.

Vintage apparel. Vintage clothing can be another really cool way to find a unique item that really is personal to a guy. And you can use the categories above for ideas. Obviously, sports fans might love a vintage version of their favorite team’s jersey. But also you might find an old tackle shop promo hat for a fisherman, or a vintage belt buckle for a horseback rider. Cowboy boots, rock concert t-shirts, and shirts for specific restaurants, locations or bars are all super fun.

Retro Christmas ideas are even more personal if you create a DIY gift.

Retro Christmas DIY gift ideas are budget friendly and fun. Don’t forget you can also upcycle vintage items into unique gifts. You can frame print ads or maps or old posters to turn into wall art. Take a vintage t-shirt and turn it into a pillow cover. Many old items can become cool retro decorative storage. Vintage oil cans, paint cans, unique jars, all can become utensil holders, pencil cups or desk storage.

If you go the vintage Christmas DIY route, you can also personalize it. You can customize especially for him, whether that’s adding initials, his team, his hometown or his dog’s name! Pro tip: personalization doesn’t have to be someone’s name. Reference your own inside joke or an important moment.

Office décor. Whether your guy goes to a workplace or has a home office, you can find really fun items to give his décor a serious upgrade. Bankers lamps (the green glass shades with brass bases) are always cool—although the truly vintage ones can be a bit expensive. Brass floor lamps are a great statement piece. Marketing pros might love a framed vintage 60s advertisement or promotional item (think Mad Men). You can also do a play on his job: give a lawyer an antique gavel. If they have a storefront, consider an old school cash register.

Vintage Christmas gift ideas can be a fun alternative and more personal, plus it’s better for the planet.

And of course, the great thing about vintage items is they are unique and have a history that lives on with the new owner. Some will even appreciate in value over time. And whenever you shop vintage, you reduce waste and help save the planet. Maybe the best Christmas present of all!

This article is about vintage Christmas gift ideas for him.

This post is about vintage Christmas gift ideas for boyfriend and Christmas gift ideas for husband.