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December 10, 2009

Vintage Holiday Shopping Guide: Gifts for Children

With just fifteen days left to go until Ol’ St. Nick comes sliding down the chimney, it’s definitely time to kick off the first post in what I sincerely hope will be an annual holiday gift guide here on Chronically Vintage. Several other posts relating to different categories of people that you may need to shop for this season will appear in the days leading up to the 25th, helping to ensure that you’re not at a loss for what to get other categories of folks on your gift giving list.

As few times of the year are as magical and dear to the hearts of children the world over as the winter holiday season is, I thought it would be great to launch 2009’s gift guide with a toy chest’s worth of wonderful vintage themed items for all the little ones (and/or their parents) on your list. Many of these items are so delightful that I would honestly love to find them waiting for me under the tree, too. So by all means, feel free to use these suggestions for those who are both young and young at heart!



~ Vintage Gifts for Children ~




{Watch little eyes grow to the size of saucers when they spy one of these amazing Sky King reproduction tricycles (based on a timeless design from 1936) waiting for them on Christmas morn! Available in Petal (pink) and Sky (blue), this darling set of wheels is best suited to ages 3 to 5, and is available for $179.00 (US) from Restoration Hardware.}



{Keep track of just how quickly Suzy is sprouting up with a charming growth measurement chart (such as this preciously sweet vintage ballerina print one) that comes with stickers to help mark off her height on the chart (that measures 60 inches long), available from Dolce Mia for $22.95 (US). Numerous other vintage themed growth charts featuring designs such a space explorers, cowboys, and farm animals are also available to help ensure you can find a chart to match your child’s interests.}



{Bestow a reproduction of the first Barbie doll ever, decked out in her timeless stripped bathing suit (and evening gown for when the sun sets), on your daughter, niece, granddaughter or any other special little girl on your holiday list, and share in the magic that has kept Barbie’s popularity afloat for fifty years. This glamorously beautiful “My Favourite Barbie: The Original Teenage Fashion Model Doll” is available from Amazon.com for $35.33 (US).}



{For the youngest recipients on your list, this incredibly cute (100% natural, BPA-free, PVC-free and Phthalate-free) flexible rubber giraffe (named Sophie) is a classic French toy that youngsters can use to help them with teething or just as a plaything. Measuring in at seven inches tall and aimed at those ages zero to two, Sophie is $21.95 (US) from Eco Baby Gear.}



{Help capture the spirit of yesteryear toys with this terrifically fun tin Rocket Ride Carousel complete with a spin top that allows kids to twirl the metal ride goers as often as they please. Adorable as both a toy and decorative piece, this wonderful tin carousel is available from Amazon.com for $19.00 (US).}



{Based on the classic 1940s “sad face” Ranch Wagons, this wonderful pedal car in “vintage green” is sure to rev up the excitement factor of any child’s holiday celebration. Constructed of heavy gauge steel with a chrome windshield, steering wheel and pair of grab bard, this solidly build toy comes fully constructed and requires no batteries. Perfectly suited to those in three to six age range, this darling set of wheels is available from CNS Stores for $257.00 (US), which includes free shipping currently for US residents.}



{Let all the tots in your house have a pretend bake fest with this adorable plastic and wood Cupcake Set from Melissa and Doug, that includes four dry erase markers for them to decorate the cupcakes with over and over again (also included are cardboard baking cups, decorative wooden candles, icing tops, and fabric oven mitts). This fun filled play set is available from Magic Gears for $24.99 (US).}



{Ensure youngsters stay busy by stocking up on classic board games to help prevent cabin fever from setting in while they’re waiting for Christmas dinner to be ready, such as this adorable wood, cotton and paper bingo set. Targeted towards those six and over, this enjoyable set is sure to be fun for the whole family, and can be yours for £8.95 (UK pounds) from Dotcomgiftshop.}



{Featuring five classic children’s stories (plus one blank book, with the iconic gold foil spine, for your child to create a wonderful story of their own in), this set of Little Golden Books is sure to provide countless hours of bedtime reading fun. 65th Little Golden Books anniversary boxed set, $10.49 (US) from Amazon.com}



{When the weather outside is too frightful for lawn bowling, this charming wooden Skittles game can be set up and played on any hard surface indoors for hours of sporting fun! This set contains six pins and one ball, plus a cotton carrying bag, all for £6.95 (UK pounds), and is available from Dotcomgiftshop.}



{It’s never too early to start sharing your love of vintage with your children, and this darling reproduction book of “girlfriend and boyfriend” paper dolls is a great way to introduce the younger set to the mesmerizing world of vintage fashion. This six page coloured booklet measures 8.5 by 11 inches and is available for $16.00 (US) from Paper Goodies From Judy’s Place (which stocks a veritable treasure trove of amazing vintage reproduction paper doll books).}



{Twelve brightly coloured wooden ABC blocks compose this beautiful set that features numbers, letters and illustrations on the different sides of each block, that are sure to both entertain and educate alike. “Vintage ABC Blocks” set, $25.00 (Cnd, *I think*) from Traditional Toys.}



{I think I would have gone into shock if I found this stunningly pretty retro kitchen play set from KidKraft waiting for me on Christmas morning when I was a little girl (truthfully I’d still go wild for it!). If you have a child on your shopping list who loves to play chef or homemaker, this fantastic set, which features wooden toy versions of a fridge, freezer, dishwasher and oven, in cotton candy pink, is sure to elicit squeals of happiness! KidKraft Retro Kitchen, $139.95 (US) from CNS Stores.}


While the market is heavily saturated with a plethora of modern toys, some of which are definitely excellent in their own right, there is something truly wonderful about toys that take their cue from the playthings of yesteryear. Many of the items on this list have been nursery and playroom staples for decades (or longer) and are bound to hold just as much fun (and be every bit as lovely) in fifty or sixty years from now.

This holiday season consider skipping – or supplementing your arsenal of – flashy modern gifts with a handful of beautiful vintage toys that are bound to become fast favourites of any child lucky enough to receive one of these time honoured classics.

Be sure to stay turned for more editions of Chronically Vintage’s holiday gift guide in the coming days (and future holiday seasons), I hope to cover everything from shopping for the gents on your list to what to get those who seem to already have everything!

Holiday cheer to one and all!

26 comments:

  1. Sophie is the BEST. My little man loved gnawing away on her!

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  2. Hey Jessica. These all look like great items. I don't think I saw you mention this so I'm going to ask. How much shopping do you have left for Christmas?

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  3. Oh my goodness! I want those paper dolls! And do they make those scooters in grownup size? Too adorable!


    iamemmamusic.blogspot.com

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  4. Oh my goodness,

    I want to be a kid again! NOW!!! And I want the PiNk Sky King tricycle...is that not just super cool!!! :0) And lets see..I'll take one of those Ranch Wagons...heck, who needs to be a child again...they'd look cool as part of your home decor, right!? :0) But I always say, "It's never to late to have a childhood". :0)

    Thanks for visiting me. I'm always glad to read your sweet comments....and I'm tickled that you snagged my Queen of Dreamsz button and added it to your sidebar. I've been meaning to design one with code and just haven't got around to it. I love visitors and I know some of yours will click through to me...that's so nice. :0)

    Have a lovely day and stay warm! It's going down to 15 tonight...brrrrrr

    Hugs, Stephanie

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  5. My goodness, you certainly are playing catch up on your blogs, dear. Thank you for all the lovely comments.

    I dang near screamed when I saw those sweet little trikes! My boyfriend wasn't appreciative... until he also saw them and thought of his little princess barreling down the sidewalk on one. Ha! 3-5 years... 18months of tyranny is not discouraged by recommendations. lol Miss Potato would also adore the kitchen set. Do you think they have it adult size, too? ;)

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  6. What a fabulous selection. I want one of those trikes in pink!! Do they make them bigger by chance ;)
    Thankyou for a wonderful post of suggestions!!

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  7. Oh gosh I have to say the first one is just fantastic, I just love those bikes.
    xxx

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  8. truly wonderful finds Jessica! I'd love to have some of them myself ;-)

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  9. Oh boy, I want that kitchen and tricycle for Toot so bad! lol I was a HUGE fan of paper dolls when I was a kid!

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  10. For children? I want some of this fabulous stuff! Great gift ideas Jessica.
    Have a lovely weekend.

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  11. These are just fabulous...almost makes me wish I had kids to buy them for! Those tricycles are too cute!

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  12. Happy Friday darling gal =D ah, the treasures you have found for the kiddies, both for the young and 'young at heart' ;) That little pink retro kitchen is on my little gal's xmas list, so hopefully if all goes well we'll be able to get it for her! Can't forget those adorable Golden Books,it should be a must have in everyone's book collection don't you think? oooh, I want that Barbie, and I would absolutely love to own one of those ranch wagons! Thank you for such darling post doll! looking forward to seeing what other Christmas gift ideas you have in store for us! Hope you are well! Sending you warmth and cheer this holiday season! Xo

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  13. Oh these are fantastic! thanks!

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  14. I adore the tricycle and the cupcake set! So much fun :)

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  15. oh la la j'adore ta selection de jouets! le vélo est magnifique! bisou

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  16. Oh, what fun! I just love these - and don't worry, I'd completely flip over that little kitchen too if I found that under the tree for me. :)

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  17. Some of them games look so fun - I remember countless Christmas afternoons going into evenings playing boardgames and spying the backhand cheating [most especially in monopoly]. Those baking sets look fabulous too - any way to get young children into the delights of cooking home-made food always should be encouraged and they make it look so fun!

    Have a delightful and fun packed weekend sweet dear! x

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  18. What great ideas, where do you find these things?! You're super-woman i think! The kitchen play set would be perfect for Mr V's neice, and i want the paper dolls hehe. xx

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  19. Fabulous items, but the Bingo set really stands out to me. I used to love to play bingo as a child.
    Maureen

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  20. You find the best things! I love all of these - but that giraffe...sooo cute! Wish I knew someone with a teething baby!

    Can't wait to see what else you have up your sleeve!

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  21. I love these items. My favorite is actually the tricycle. It makes me think of something that my little nephew will one day have. This year he's getting a wagon.

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  22. That kitchen set is the cutest!!
    I think I had those paper dolls (well some very much like it anyway)
    Always an array of delightful things to see from you!!
    Enjoy the day!

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  23. Hello, my wonderful friends, your comments were such a joy to read, thank you very much for sharing your thoughts (and treasured Christmas memories) with me. I truly loved hearing from each of you and hope that you'll all get exactly what you're wishing for this holiday season!

    Giant hugs & endless festive cheer!
    ♥ Jessica

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  24. What a great post honey! These are too cute. I want those bikes! Kori xoxo

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  25. Hi Blondie honey, thank you very much! I would have gone nuts for those charming bikes as a youngster, too! (Why can't adult versions be as splendidly adorable?)

    Thank you very much for your wonderful comments, sweet heart, I really hope you're having a magical holiday season!
    ♥ Jessica

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  26. Thanks for the tip on the paper doll site!

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