Vintage Mother’s Day Gift Ideas: Everything Old is New Again
From garden gnomes to vintage fashion, the best gifts for moms have been around forever, and that’s part of their charm.
Mother’s Day is this Sunday, and the National Retail Federation already has its most popular types of Mother’s Day gifts for 2024. If you’re still looking for ideas or want to think ahead to next year, we have some suggestions for putting a vintage spin on this year’s gift ideas!
Greeting cards—It’s probably no surprise that the most popular Mother’s Day gift is a heartfelt greeting card. They have been a standard for years; look at this vintage Hallmark advertising poster that sold at Matthew Bullock Auction Gallery in 2022 for just under $18.
Flowers—Tied with greeting cards for popularity, flowers are another classic gift. If Mom would prefer a gift that lasts longer than a bouquet of cut flowers and needs less maintenance than a potted plant, we suggest something like this Victorian shell still life, made c.1900 and still blooming, that sold for $491 at a Freeman’s | Hindman auction.
A special outing—Many people prefer experiences over material gifts. But for a collector, a special outing can be a chance to pick up a souvenir! A collection of souvenir spoons, mementos of visits to New York, Philadelphia, the UK, and more, sold at Cordier Auctions for $372.
A Disney fan could pick up a fan at Disneyland as a souvenir in the 1950s. This one recently sold at Van Eaton Galleries for $212.
If your mom’s ideal outing consists of browsing antique malls or visiting museums, check out our directories to find some places to go. For an extra-special outing, look into our new Antique Adventures tours! Tell mom to pack her bags for the antiquing trip of a lifetime to London!
Gift cards—We would, of course, recommend something that could go toward antique shopping!
Clothing or accessories—Vintage fashion, jewelry, and accessories are hot right now, whether the look is timeless, trendy, or one-of-a-kind. When it comes to quirky and colorful, you can’t beat Judith Leiber’s jeweled minaudières. This pop art–inspired piece sold at Freeman’s | Hindman for $852.
Of course, there’s no need to stick to a list! The best gifts can be the most original, and buying vintage is a great way to find something unusual. These vintage Japanese garden gnomes are just the thing for an avid gardener.
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