Still scrambling for thoughtful and fun gifts for someone you love? We at the WILLIAMSBURG brand have done the tough work, culling through the ample offerings of our licensees and WilliamsburgMarketplace.com, so now you can kick back and let your clicking finger do the rest of the work. Below are our 10 favorite holiday gifts inspired by your favorite 18th-century living museum.
Nestled under the eaves or beside a favorite entryway, this glazed stoneware creation has made happy homes for small birds since 1699. These bird houses are inspired by an original excavated from the yard of the James Geddy House. Fragments have been unearthed throughout the Historic Area, and a 1746 inventory and 1752 advertisement provide further evidence. Any bird lover would delight in unwrapping this unique addition to their yard. $29.00 each.
Know a hero, rebel, philosopher, or diplomat? Gift them these clever drinking glasses, emblazoned with a famous quality of an American revolutionary on one side, and the name of the corresponding historical character (George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin and John Adams) on the other! Set these conversation starters out at a party—you might be surprised which glass each guest reaches for. These glasses are dishwasher-safe and come in a gift box. $55.00 for set of 4
These seasonal kitchen towels feature an illustrated snowy winter day on Duke of Gloucester Street, complete with Historic Area buildings and gray snowflakes. Even if you can’t be here for the holidays, you can get into the Colonial Williamsburg Christmas spirit with this cheerful pattern! Perfect gift for the hostess or the baker extraordinaire in your life. $12.00 for set of 2.
A famous motif of hospitality and welcome in the 18th century, this pineapple kicks it up a notch in silver- and gold-plate. This ornament-slash-table-decoration also serves as a small storage box, with a hidden opening and magnet closure in the middle. This beautiful collectible is non-tarnishing. $30.00
Everyone knows at least one coffee addict. Give them the gift that will keep their favorite beverage warmer for longer with this porcelain mug that includes a cover! Also included is a stainless steel strainer, so make sure to order one for the tea drinker in your life, too. The antique-inspired garden design of the Benjamin Waller Gazebo on the outside means your loved one will be sipping in elegance. The mug and cover are food, dishwasher and microwave safe (the strainer is not). $18.00
For the friend for which a pair of socks just won’t do, this decorative dish will indulge their rebellious side. Immortal words spoken by Thomas Jefferson shine in blue and yellow on this porcelain dish, great for display or holding rings and small baubles. $40.00
To “hob nob” in the 1700s meant drinking together or toasting to one another. So hob nob in style, and step up your portable drinking game with this beautiful flask and beaker set, complete with faux leather case. Personalize your gift by engraving a monogram or sentimental message on the metal nameplate on the case or the flask. The nickel-plated, stainless steel flask holds ½ pint and, complete with the rum barrel-shaped double beaker, can’t be beat for your favorite mixologist or whiskey enthusiast. $50.00 for flask, $120.00 for flask and beaker set
These gorgeous leather coasters, or “spots,” are super handy AND pretty! They come in two sizes, 3 and 7.5 inches, and two colors, black and burgundy. Use them to prevent candle wax from damaging your furniture, or under table accents to keep scuffs at bay. The gold edging, inspired by fine bookbinding design in the Colonial Williamsburg archives, adds elegant detail, making them decorative in addition to functional. Set of six 3-inch spots are $26.00; set of two 7.5-inch spots are $30.00.
Your loved one’s good taste in vino shouldn’t end at the grape; let it shine through in its display, too! This rustic wire and pine wine caddy is a beautiful way to both transport and show off vintages. Bonus points for gifting it with a bottle (or four!) of their favorite wine. $80.00
This sweet collectible, a figurine of an angel holding a harp and singing with a bluebird, is a wonderful seasonal addition to mantel decorations. The floral motifs decorating this angel’s festive holiday garb resemble applique patterns found in quilts in the Colonial Williamsburg archives. Any Jim Shore collector or classic Christmas décor lover will proudly display this angel in their home for years to come. $48.00
Alex Stewart is the social media, public relations, and copywriting girl for the WILLIAMSBURG brand. A Colonial Williamsburg rookie, she loves walking, mouth agape, down DoG Street to gather inspiration from 18th-century interior designs. She also goes there for the dog-watching. Alex grew up in Raleigh, NC, studied journalism at the University of Missouri, then spent four months backpacking through South America before starting work in the Revolutionary City. Her entire family thinks she dresses in colonial garb for this new job that clearly takes place in a modern office setting.
Delightful Guest Towels Feature
[…] e loves walking, mouth agape, down DoG Street to gather inspiration from 18th-ce […]