At this time of year, shopping centres and retail parks are overrun with Christmas shoppers competing for poorly made, disposable presents which have every chance of ending up in land fill before the next Christmas rolls round. We have antique and vintage gift ideas for every budget that will last a lifetime and show how much you care.
The advantages of antique gifts
The growing awareness, particularly among the millennial generation, of ecological and ‘green’ issues has led to an increased focus on all things antique and vintage. Unlike many of our state-of-the-art smart gadgets, an antique does not impact on rare earth metals and other depleting resources. Finely crafted and having already endured several lifetimes, an antique gift will stand the test of time, unlike mass produced, shop-bought gifts.
Where to shop for antique gifts
For truly unique antique Christmas gift ideas with timeless appeal, specialist antique centres like Hemswell offer the opportunity to browse items from hundreds of dealers, in person or online. Our dealers have a wealth of experience that they are happy to share and their areas of expertise cover every type of collectable, so with over 300 dealers, Hemswell is the perfect one-stop venue when shopping for more than one person.
Antique gifts for your mother
Any mother would be over the moon to open a piece of antique jewellery on Christmas morning! From earrings to kilt pins, and chokers to cocktail rings, our Jewellery and Gold specialists have pieces to suit every taste and budget. If your Mum prefers something a little different, a vintage purse or clutch is a unique and thoughtful gift, and we have several dealers with a specialist interest in vintage clothes and accessories, while in amongst our leather and sporting goods you may find a vintage leather handbag!
Antique gifts for your father
Perennially hard to buy for, Dads always seem to have everything but you are certain to find the perfect gift at Hemswell! Whether you want to spoil him with an antique tantalus, an original piece of artwork for his study, or a fine leather armchair our dealers will have the perfect piece for you.
Antique gifts for her
An unusual and original gift for the special lady in your life is a perfume factice! Produced by perfumeries for display and advertising purposes, these are the perfect decorative finishing touch for anyone who loves the finer things in life. Sold either empty or full (but not with perfume), factice are available in various sizes.
Antique gifts for him
Pander to your other half’s inner boy with a gift from our Vintage Toys & Games. We always have a wide variety of model cars and trains that are ideal for adding to an existing collection or for helping him start a new interest. From Edwardian tinplate and clockwork pieces to mid-century American classic cars, there is something to suit every taste and budget.
Antique gifts for couples
Gifts for the home are always welcome by couples and if you know the style preferences of the pair you are buying for, your choices are endless. A quality vintage enamel sign will look great in a contemporary setting while a traditional canteen of cutlery will look at home in any style of property. An antique tea set is a practical and decorative gift which encompasses many styles and designs, from Liberty pewter to traditional Victorian chinaware, and an antique silver photograph frame is sure to take pride of place.
This year, treat yourself to a break from the High Street when Christmas shopping and start early with a visit to our centres here at Hemswell. Our four buildings house an eclectic mix of antiques and will provide all the gift inspiration you need. If you prefer to shop online and our gift ideas aren’t quite right, we have a host of items that can be ordered and posted within the UK for just £15, or you can choose from our gifts for every occasion.
Happy shopping!