Entertainment and Style Gossip

It is often said that nostalgia never really went out of fashion. Certainly, for both young and old, quality nostalgic gifts are always highly appreciated, particularly retro gifts based on iconic UK TV shows.

Retro TV covers a wide range of genres, so there will always be a nostalgic TV gift that appeals to everyone.

For those who watched these TV shows first time round, such retro gifts will provide a tangible reminder of a fondly remembered past; whilst those who were not around when a show was originally broadcast will still appreciate a quality retro TV gift’s inescapable associations with ‘cool’.

Children’s TV in the UK from the 1950s through to the 1980s, for example, still embodies a certain charm that is difficult to replicate in today’s slick, wall-to-wall digital output. Familiar hand-made puppets, clay figures, and painstakingly painted animation sequences, are still regarded with affection today. Nostalgic gifts based on this original TV output may well bring out a warm smile, or even a tear, on the recipient’s face.

At the other end of the spectrum, the golden age of science fiction still retains its delightful capacity to chill and thrill, enhanced by the memories people still have of daring to peak out from behind the sofa at teatime.

For music or fashion enthusiasts, gifts based on the nostalgia of pop music shows are guaranteed to embody all the style and street credibility of the original vinyl that such programmes once promoted.

Nostalgia is not what it used to be. On the contrary, with retro TV gifts it just got better.

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.

The “brave new world” of the Art Deco period combined functionality with simplicity, and beauty with elegance. For this reason, retro gifts evoking the Art Deco look of the 1920s and 1930s are eternally popular. Retro clocks, especially, make excellent nostalgic gifts for all age groups. Instantly evocative, but never kitsch, they fit into any interior décor scheme, be it traditional or modern.

Art Deco had a number of influences – a major one being the discovery of King Tutankhamen’s tomb, in 1922. Egyptian design was a direct influence on the towering pyramid spires of the Empire State Building and the Chrysler building – which in turn influenced interior decor. “Skyscraper” clocks, which took elements of modernist architecture and recreated them in semi-precious materials such as jade, marble and onyx, are just as popular today.
Jazz age retro gifts are characterised by their recreation of materials like Bakelite and chrome – both considered daring and new in the 1930s. Art Deco Bakelite wall and mantle clocks were found everywhere, from public railway stations to film stars’ homes. They varied from simple, round wall clocks to elaborate “Lady” mantle clocks, which combined geometric designs with beautiful and elaborate statuettes in bronze, spelter and pewter.
Statue clocks are especially evocative of the Art Deco period, and make beautiful and unusual retro gifts. The art inspiration came from many sources, including classic Egyptian art and Greek mythology. Although the majority were female, classic male figures like Hercules were also depicted. Modern influences included Hollywood, Olympic gymnasts and jazz music. Statue clocks are among the most evocative and collectible of all nostalgic gifts.

The 70s may be known as the decade that taste forgot, but when it comes to toys and nostalgic gifts, it’s a decade that you can never forget. Some of the toys from the 1970s were so groundbreaking that they are still sold today, either as retro gifts or on general sale in toyshops for today’s children to enjoy.

One of the most successful toys of all time, and one of many nostalgic gifts from the 1970s, is the Slinky. The Slinky was actually invented in the 1940s, but it topped Christmas lists throughout the 60s and 70s as well. The Slinky was basically a giant swirl of metal that would open and close as it descended stairs on its own, creating its own motion.

One toy that summed up the 70s perfectly was the Evel Knievel stunt motorcycle. Evel Knievel was a famous stuntman in the 70s, and every child marvelled at his daredevil antics as he jumped his motorcycle over cars and busses. The Evel Knievel toy featured a white clad doll of Evel Knievel, together with his motorbike and a red launch pad with which to fire him onto his next stunt.

This toy made a comeback some years ago as one of many retro gifts, and is great fun for staging your own stunts in your back garden or office.

Towards the end of the 1970s the most popular toys at Christmas were the original Star Wars figures. Star Wars became the first film to successfully merchandise toys aimed at children, how things have changed now.

With every Christmas or birthday comes the usual hunt to find presents that show thought, care and a little bit of personality have gone into the present selection process. This hunt usually results in the purchase of socks and pants, together with the notion that it’s “the thought that counts”.

Presents don’t have to follow this same pattern though. You can be creative with your presents, even when buying gifts for people as old as thirty or forty, or possibly even older. In fact, it’s easier to find presents for older people because of the potential for nostalgic gifts from their past.

Here are a few ideas for some retro gifts that will show you really have ‘tried’ this time:

Everyone loves a Slinky
The Slinky was first produced in the 1940s, and has sold steadily ever since. It’s classic design and everyone knows how to use one, you just need stairs. Slinkys make excellent retro gifts and can even be used in the office as executive toys.

Mousetrap!
Children think they invented games, but they don’t realise that games like Mousetrap, Cluedo, Monopoly and The Game of Life were all created decades ago. Giving nostalgic gifts such as these as presents will show some serious thought.

Dolls Houses
What to buy for the special woman in your life, whether she’s your wife, mother or grandmother; a dolls house no less. Every little girl played with a dolls house, and if she didn’t, she’ll probably want to now that she’s grown up. Dolls houses are highly collectable and great nostalgic gifts for women of all ages.