A Gift Guide for Those Who Are Soothed by Nostalgia

We are extremely into the gift guides our teams have put together this year, and this one is no exception. Comfort and joy. Maybe it's the return of scrunchies and fanny packs or maybe it's Maybelline, but we are feeling particularly nostalgic this holiday season.

First up, Penny Post! An assortment of paper goods (naturally), pens, and giftables that speak to our younger selves.

1. Mailable Paper Dolls are throwing us back into childhood. They're gorgeous and would just be so lovely to find in the mail.

2. A stationery set with beautiful illustrations of a vintage camera and typewriter, packaged together in a sophisticated box. Swoon!

3. A colorful puzzle of vintage paper dolls and clothing attachments.

4. Gelly Rolls! For any millennial who remembers pouring over these pens trying to find the perfect color and sheen to take your 4th-grade social studies notes in your Lisa Frank notebook.

5. Who doesn't remember these coin pouches? So many fun options (including Santa Money) but our personal favorite is for the plant lovers!

6. For friends who love Friends. Is there anything more comforting than a rerun marathon?

7. Nothing really beats the smell of a new set of pencils and Blackwing can do no wrong. Blackwing's Pearl set comes with balanced graphite in the prettiest snowy day white finish.

8. Cotton candy, sweet and low...

9. Something about a tinsel tree makes us want to watch black and white movies.

10. This Classic Air Mail set is so unique you'll be lucky if there are any left by the time you read this.

11. Kaweco's Student Rollerballs are just so freaking cool. Each one is an homage to a different music genre. 

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Reaching back a few more decades is Red Barn Mercantile’s nod to nostalgia.

1. A pillow from Catstudio's Collegiate Collection to celebrate the glory days. 

2. The Wonderful Wizard of Oz! A deluxe gift edition of L. Frank Baum’s cherished children’s classic, vividly reimagined with beautiful four-color artwork.

3. Continuing with the theme, Wizard of Oz felt ornaments.

4. To put an end to Scrabble squabbles, a leather-bound Merriam-Webster Official Scrabble Players Dictionary.

5. Led Zeppelin by Led Zeppelin is the first and only official illustrated book ever to be produced in full collaboration with the members of the band.

6. This Anne of Green Gables puzzle is a sweet nod to this classic children's novel.

7. Packed with archival and modern photography, Ballparks Then and Now documents the development of America's national pastime by looking at the fields of dreams on which it is played.

8. For fans and players, a baseball glove ornament. Pairs nicely with number 7.

9. Based on the 1958 children's book, a Paddington Bear of your very own.

10. Retro Rudolph ornaments based on the 1964 TV special.

11. You never outgrow the fun of a s'more (that's s'moré 🎵).

12. Puffy paint (aka Glitter Glue) coming back more sparkly than we remember. Crafters, rejoice!

13. A Retro Rotary Toy Phone to keep the kids connected.

14. Bubble lights were very popular from the 1940's to 1970's and we are delighted they are making a comeback.

15. This adorable ceramic cappuccino-sized Santa Mug Candle is reminiscent of vintage mugs of the 1950s.

If any of these ideas speak to you or if you need help assembling a gift, let us know! Red Barn Mercantile and Penny Post are both offering custom gift options and it would be our absolute pleasure to earn you the title of best gifter this holiday season!