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!
{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!
