7 Holiday Gifts From 100 Years Ago That You Can Still Give
For the person who seems to have everything, a nostalgic present can be a welcome change from the latest gadget or another gift card. And fortunately, some of the toys and pastimes that delighted people a century ago are still being made today.
These old-fashioned gifts have the advantage of bringing back memories for older recipients while introducing younger generations to something they may never have seen before. From toys that encourage creativity to games enjoying a modern resurgence, these seven gifts prove that some good ideas don’t need much updating.
Tinkertoys and Lincoln Logs
Some of the best toys of the early 20th century asked children to build something rather than simply play with something. Tinkertoys debuted in 1914 after their creator, Charles Pajeau, was inspired by children playing with sticks and wooden spools. Lincoln Logs followed in 1916, created by architect John Lloyd Wright, who was inspired by the interlocking beams used in the foundation of the Imperial Hotel in Tokyo, designed by his father, Frank Lloyd Wright.
Both toys became popular because they gave children the materials to create their own structures rather than dictating how the finished product should look. Modern building sets based on both classic toys are still available, and either makes a great gift for children who enjoy hands-on projects, as well as adults who appreciate a trip down memory lane.
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Fountain Pens
A fountain pen might seem like an unusual Christmas gift today, but a century ago it was a practical and highly coveted writing instrument. Inventor Lewis Waterman patented his improved fountain pen design in 1884, and by the early 20th century, it had become widely popular. Waterman’s company was selling about 1,000 pens a day by 1901, and fountain pens remained popular writing instruments into the 1940s.
The ballpoint pen eventually made fountain pens less essential, but it didn’t make them disappear. Modern fountain pens are still manufactured for writers, artists, and collectors, and today’s versions range from inexpensive beginner pens to beautifully crafted luxury models. For someone who appreciates stationery, a fountain pen can feel both useful and wonderfully old-fashioned.
Music Boxes
Music boxes were developed in Europe — probably in Switzerland — in the late 18th century and became particularly popular during the 1800s. By the early 20th century, these melodic trinkets were already established as beloved decorative objects and cherished gifts.
Today, you can still find music boxes in styles ranging from traditional wooden boxes to elaborate designs featuring familiar holiday tunes. Some double as keepsake or jewelry boxes, with compartments for storing small treasures. They’re especially appealing as gifts because they work across generations. A child can enjoy turning the key and hearing the music, while an adult might appreciate one as a decorative object or a reminder of childhood.
Kaleidoscopes
In 1816, Scottish inventor David Brewster created the kaleidoscope, originally envisioning it as an educational optical instrument for studying patterns, color, and symmetry. The device quickly caught the public’s imagination, with people fascinated by the constantly changing symmetrical patterns created by mirrors and bits of colored glass. Brewster patented his invention in 1817, and manufacturers soon began producing inexpensive versions as novelties.
Two centuries later, the same simple optical principle is still at the heart of the kaleidoscope, but makers have found plenty of ways to adapt the toy. Modern versions range from inexpensive children’s toys to beautifully crafted stainless steel, wood, or brass designs. There are even DIY kits for making your own unique kaleidoscopic creation.
Mahjong Sets
Mahjong has roots in 19th-century China, but it swept across America as a major craze in the 1920s. The game found an enthusiastic audience with its distinctive tiles and combination of strategy, chance, and social interaction. Today, mahjong is enjoying another resurgence in the United States, particularly among younger players, with mahjong nights and social clubs attracting people who may never have learned the game from their parents or grandparents.
There is a distinction between mahjong, the traditional Chinese game with many regional variations, and American mah jongg, the version that became popular in the U.S. and follows a card of approved winning hands published each year. Players must learn the updated combinations annually, which adds a fresh challenge to the game. A mahjong set makes a particularly good gift for someone who likes family game nights or entertaining company.
Raggedy Ann and Andy
Raggedy Ann is a true century-old gift. Artist Johnny Gruelle created the character and patented the doll in 1915, and Raggedy Ann dolls were commercially available by 1918. Raggedy Andy followed in 1920, giving Ann a brother and expanding the characters into a popular children’s book and toy franchise. Their simple cloth bodies, yarn hair, and embroidered faces made them instantly recognizable, and the dolls became fixtures in American childhoods.
Raggedy Ann and Andy are still made today, making them an easy choice for a child who might enjoy a toy that looks very different from today’s highly interactive dolls. For an adult who remembers the characters from childhood, a vintage-style Raggedy Ann or Andy can feel like a little piece of holidays past — without actually requiring a trip to an antique shop.
Chemistry Sets
Chemistry sets grew out of the portable laboratory kits used by scientists and students in the 18th and 19th centuries. In the United States, the idea was transformed into a children’s educational toy during the 1910s.
The Porter Chemical Company in Hagerstown, Maryland, began selling its Chemcraft sets in 1916, packaging chemicals, laboratory equipment, and instructions into kits marketed to young experimenters. Inventor A.C. Gilbert, already famous for the Erector Set, entered the market soon afterward, and the two companies became major competitors, promoting chemistry sets as both exciting toys and a possible first step toward a career in science.
The kits of a century ago could contain dangerous chemicals and equipment that would never make it into a child’s hands today, but modern chemistry sets are considerably safer, with age-appropriate experiments and materials. Still, the basic appeal remains the same. Give a curious mind some tools, instructions, and the freedom to experiment, and science becomes something they can explore for themselves. For a budding scientist, it’s a gift with genuine vintage appeal — without the questionable chemicals that once came in the box.
