When it comes to buying gifts, it’s often difficult to think up original ideas for people – especially if they already seem to have everything they need, so why not get them something tasteful but quirky, from a retro gifts catalogue? Celebrating special occasions isn’t about giving people what they need; it’s about giving them gifts that they don’t need, but would love to receive.

Retro or nostalgic gifts always make stunning birthday and Christmas presents. If money is no object, then one of the best retro gifts you could buy a music lover is a full-sized Retro CD Jukebox. A blast from the past, these look just like the 1950s originals, although in those days the light display wouldn’t have been LED, and there certainly wouldn’t have been a remote control, USB connection and CD auto-changer.

You can’t beat a brass replica taxi horn, while die cast model cars make delightful nostalgic gifts for drivers. The 50 Years Anniversary Mini, released in 2009, is perfect for someone who’s now 51, while a die cast Norton motorcycle would delight a youngster who’s just passed their bike test. Other retro gifts with a masculine theme include die-cast model Spitfire sets, and Flying Scotsman train sets.

On a more feminine note, a Jemima Puddleduck garden statue makes a quirky and original gift. For the home lover, Art Nouveau and Art Deco Clocks make attractive and useful nostalgic gifts.

If you want to say “Thank You” to someone in the office, then reproduction 1920s or 1950s telephones make excellent retro gifts and a traditional port-hole clock is the ideal retirement gift for a keen sailor.