How to Give Vintage Books, Magazines and Paper as Gifts

Most people assume that gifts for holidays such as birthdays and Christmas must be new. However, if a little bit of care is taken, used, vintage or antique paper items can make wonderful gifts.

First of all, you know your recipient better than anybody. Is she somebody who becomes overjoyed when she receives a new item but wrinkles her nose at something "second hand"? If so, you should probably avoid giving older items as gifts to this person.

But if your recipient is a buff, collector, or enthusiast of old and interesting stuff, she will probably appreciate your well-thought-out gift of a vintage or antique book, magazine, newspaper or other vintage paper item. Snoop around, ask questions of friends, family, even the recipient herself (but don't give yourself away), look around the person's house when they have you over, and look for clues. If your detective work shows that your recipient likes vintage items and antiques, collects them, and/or has received them happily as gifts in the past, you've got a green light to start coming up with ideas for a personalized vintage or antique paper gift. But where to begin?

First of all, condition is extremely important when buying older items as gifts. In order to be gift worthy, an item should be in above average condition. Preferably the condition should be outstandingly and unusually good, as close to new as possible, with only minor wear. Never purchase a book or magazine as a gift that has water stains, brittleness, tanning, missing pages or other significant flaws. Also watch out for stickers and labels which, when removed, can damage the item. If you're unsure at all about the condition of the item, don't hesitate to ask the seller a question.

Also, the item should be significant or of some value. For example, a Redbook from the eighties would not generally be an appropriate gift unless it contained some article or ad that was important to the recipient. In most cases, it won't. Instead, we have to look to older, rarer items to find gifts of value. For example, you may wish to give a newspaper or magazine that was printed on the day your recipient was born, especially if it was printed in the region the person was born in. For example, if your father was born in Dallas on February 8, 1942, you could give him a copy of The Dallas Morning News printed on that date, again being careful to ensure that the copy did not have significant flaws, such as wear, tanning and deterioration, that would preclude it from being worthy as a gift. Life Magazines can also make good "Birthday Gifts" if your recipient was lucky enough to be born on one of the days it was published. And birthday newspapers and magazines don't just have to be given for birthdays; they can make excellent gifts for Christmas, Hannukah and Kwanzaa, as well.

Check for signed and inscribed items, first editions, and rare items too when purchasing vintage paper as gifts. These items can have significant value to the collector. For example, if you know your recipient loves Shirley MacLaine, you can purchase a playbill or program signed by her as a gift.

If you know that your recipient has a particular interest, you can purchase items for him on that topic. For example, if you know your recipient likes horses, he might be interested in receiving older books, magazines, postcards or other items on the topic of horses. They may be interested in the cover of a magazine or a poster if it were nicely framed. Or you may find they would appreciate the postcards more if they were enclosed within a lovely, interesting antique box, especially one with horses on it, taking care, of course, about the condition of the box. Look around, and get creative. There are lots of interesting and fun items on eBay that you could use to create your gift package.

The wrapping for your item is also important. Try to come up with something interesting and different. Homemade or handmade wrapping paper and bows can be fun to work with and give your gift more flair, and are better for the environment than conventional wrapping materials. You can make these yourself, or if you're short on time, they, like your gift, can also be purchased on eBay.

There are many resources on the web that can help you come up with ideas for personalized antique gifts. With a little bit of care and planning, you can create a gift package for your friend or loved one that will please them greatly, and that they will cherish for a lifetime.