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Countdown to Christmas: last minute antique and vintage Christmas gift ideas
Posted by Chris on 13/12/2024
As we begin the countdown to Christmas, time is running out to ship larger, bulkier items in time for the big day.
That means smaller, easier to ship pieces become a more attractive option if you're still on the lookout for what is fast becoming a last minute gift!?
If you're not sure where to start - and to avoid battling the hectic high street shops on Christmas Eve - we've listed our top ten smaller antique and vintage gifts that you can get delivered to you in time for Christmas.
Top 10 last minute Christmas gift ideas:
- Antique Jewellery
- Vintage Watches
- Vintage Card cases
- Antique Maps
- Antique & Vintage Art & Prints
- Antique & Vintage Collectibles
- Antique Miniatures
- Antique & Vintage Sporting items
- Alcohol & Wine
- Vintage Comics
1. Antique Jewellery
Jewellery is a fantastic last minute Christmas gift idea – not just because it’s small and easy to ship, but because everybody loves getting something shiny or sparkly.
Antiques.co.uk recommends:
For him: Vintage Tiger's Eye 9ct Gold Luminous Ring, £429 (pictured, above)
For her: Georgian 1822 Foil Backed Green Paste Ring, £1,019
2. Vintage Watches
We’ve covered watches in our other Christmas gift idea articles for him and for her, so as you can tell, we’re big fans of giving a watch for Christmas. The upside – not to mention the romanticism of giving your loved one your time for Christmas – is that it’s easy to ship at short notice.
Antiques.co.uk recommends:
For him: Rolex Tudor Regal Gentleman’s 9ct Gold Cased Watch, £950
For her: Vintage Art Deco style Genuine Bulova Watch, 1940's, £495 (pictured, above)
3. Vintage Card cases
Vintage card cases are compact, lightweight and carry with them the memories of decades of use – who knows what details they’ve held in their past lives? Whilst many of us pay with our phones these days, you may know someone who’d prefer to carry their debit cards in the real world.
Antiques.co.uk recommends:
For her: Tortoiseshell and Mother of Pearl Card Case, £190
For him: Edwardian Silver Card Case, 1901-02, £285 (pictured, above)
4. Antique Maps
Antique maps have the power to add something really unique to a home – and you can get lost in the finer detail of how a place once looked, before the addition of motorways and built up city centres. They’re affordable, quick to get hold of, and some come already framed.
Antiques.co.uk recommends:
Letts map. City of St. Petersburg, 1884, £140 (pictured, above)
London, Westminster and Southwark Panoramic Map, circa 1900, £450
5. Antique & Vintage Art & Prints
Like maps, antique and vintage prints are easily rolled up and posted to you in time for Christmas. And also like maps, they add a unique flavour to the home – perhaps this would be a fine present for an art lover.
Antiques.co.uk recommends:
Carl Dahl (Flourish 1990-). Sketch of Human Form, £280 (pictured, above)
Vita Gollancz Watercolour, £80
6. Antique & Vintage Collectibles
Whilst antique and vintage collectibles can vary in size – because they encompass such a huge range of items – many are small enough to get shipped off to you quickly.
Antiques.co.uk recommends:
Collection of 6 Caricature London Postcards, 1960s Original, £45 (pictured, above)
Collection of 5 Various Chinese Warrior Models, Various Costumes, circa 20th Century, £250
7. Antique Miniatures
As the name suggests, antique miniatures are a perfect last minute Christmas gift idea on account of their size. Miniatures are usually encased hand painted portraits – but there are also some fabulous miniature decorative items too.
Antiques.co.uk recommends:
HMS Victory Off Gibraltar 1791 Horn Eyeglass Miniature Painting, £495 (pictured, above)
Vintage Murano Venetian Glass Animals Miniature Lampwork Penguins, £35
8. Antique & Vintage Sporting items
There are plenty of antique sporting items listed on Antiques.co.uk, although it might be a bit of a stretch to purchase some heavy pairs of antique curling stones or Victorian billiards score board. Here are a couple of really interesting items which you can pick up for great prices.
Antiques.co.uk recommends:
2001 Ryder Cup Stewards ‘No Phones’ sign, £145
Pair of Early 20thC Silver Plated Gun Dog Figurines, £185 (pictured, above)
9. Alcohol & Wine
Whilst cut glass decanters, wine coolers and tantalus are both beautiful and abundant, and absolutely a great Christmas gift, they are a little bulky to get sent quickly. Instead, opt for something like a vintage hip flask - or other smaller, quirkier items like these.
Antiques.co.uk recommends:
Named Victorian Cork Screws, £130
Large Scottish Victorian Wine Coaster, £675 (pictured, above)
Sterling Silver & Glass Hip or Liquor Flask, 1900, £POA
10. Vintage Comics
Vintage comics are a superb Christmas gift idea, appealing to those of us who may have grown up with them – and to those of us who just haven’t grown up yet!
Antiques.co.uk recommends:
200-300 Vintage Comics, £POA (pictured, above)
Superman Action Comics, Issue Number 1, The New 52!, £19.99
More Christmas gift inspiration
Hopefully these ideas for last minute Christmas gifts have inspired you – just remember to get your skates on (figuratively of course) and make sure get your order in with the seller!
Read next
If you’re still looking for Christmas gift inspiration, you might like to read our Best Christmas Gifts for Her, Best Christmas Gifts for Him, and Best Christmas Gifts for Kids.