Introduction- how this post is organized.

I've written and looked up many gift guides in my time. One thing that I've always found helpful: categorizing the gift lists.

Clearly there's a common thread for one written on this blog: American history! That said, I've decided to break it down to make it easy for finding the best fit for your family and friends this holiday season (or for yourself of course!).

2 Main sections:

1) History at home: history you can unwrap and enjoy at home- books, decor, etcetera. I've taken it a step further and noted gifts that are kid-focused, as well as history for the rest of us.

2) History near or far:

For those who want to step outside into a museum for example. Or for those who want to go a little farther away, travelling to find history.

Necessary disclaimer: As a blogger, I use affiliate links sometimes! I may receive commission from purchases I share; it does not change your price but sometimes you might get a discount.

Wreaths decorating a home in Colonial Williamsburg

History at home.

For kids.

Boxes filled with history: History Unboxed.

Specifically filled with craft projects, copies of primary source documents, poems, historical recipes, stories, you name it. Depending on the box, you'll get tailored content to a specific topic, event, or era.

History Unboxed is my newest collaboration! I'm excited to promote their boxes- you can purchase them a la carte by topic or through a subscription. In fact, you can even buy bits and parts in using their "history on the go" section.

So for the holidays...

Why not treat the kids in your life to a bit of educational entertainment - focused on an era they'd love to immerse themselves in?

Click below to view the description and contents of each box:

• American Revolution
• Civil War
• French and Indian War
• U.S. Explorers
• Going West
• Jamestown
• Lewis and Clark
• Missions
• Native Alaska
• Plymouth
• Powhatan
• St. Augustine

For the gift that keeps on giving, purchase a subscription- click here for the American History subscription.

If you want to check out all the boxes from the Ancients to the Middle Ages, click here to go to the homepage but make sure to also check out this Time Capsule Kit and these coloring books!

Books.

• Ancient Eats: An Edible Exploration of the World. A family-friendly cookbook from the History Unboxed team!
• Witness to Revolution. A book for ages 9+ following three children who grow up in Williamsburg on the eve of the American Revolution. I actually reviewed the book if you want to get my take on it and why I recommend it.
• Purchase books 2 and 3 to complete the set: Witness to War and Witness to Victory.

My copy of Witness to Revolution and a cozy mug of tea

Adults.

Books: My short list of carefully curated recommendations!

• Thomas Jefferson's Garden Book edited by Edwin M. Betts
• Lafayette in the Somewhat United States by Sarah Vowell
• Love and Hate in Jamestown by David A. Price
• Founding Gardeners by Andrea Wulf
• The Demosthenes of His Age by Mark Couvillon
• In Sickness and In Health: The Marriage of Patrick Henry and Sarah Shelton by Mark Couvillon
• My Dearest Friend: Letters of Abigail and John Adams
• Behind the Scenes (or Thirty Years a Slave) by Elizabeth Keckley
• The Founders on the Founders: Word Portraits from the American Revolutionary Era by John P. Kaminski
• 18 Tiny Deaths: The Untold Story of Frances Glessner Lee and Modern Forensics (yes- forensics!)

Art and objects.

• The Frenchman's Map. If someone on your history-lover's holiday list loves map, this is for you. We have a copy hanging at our home (of course!).
• Declaration of Independence. Another fantastic idea to bring art based on history into your history-lover's life!
• Scents from the past. Or at least reminiscent of it! Bayberry or Pineapple... both are Yankee candles dedicated to Colonial Williamsburg.
• Colonial Williamsburg decor, bedding, and other products for the home.

Sweets and treats.

• Harney & Sons Holiday Heritage Colonial Williamsburg Blend (my personal favorite, it's sitting on my counter right now!)
• Harney & Sons Williamsburg Ginger Cake Blend

Find something for everyone with the HISTORY LIST.

• ornaments
• clothing- even socks!
• tote bags
• prints
• mugs
• decor

Click here.

One of the many wreaths Colonial Williamsburg is known for.

History near or far.

Do you have an historical site or museum nearby that offers the opportunity for annual passes/memberships? What better experience to gift someone than one that keeps going... for a whole year?

If you're in Virginia (or your loved one will visit more than once in a year!), consider the following:

• Smithsonian
• Colonial Williamsburg
• Preservation Virginia
• Mt. Vernon
• Virginia Museum of History and Culture
• American Heritage Pass: Jamestown Settlement and American Revolution Museum at Yorktown

If not, explore your local options!

Or... check out gifting a National Park Service Pass: you can select one park or go for the America The Beautiful option which allows entry nation-wide. From Yorktown Battlefield to the Little Big Horn Battlefield in Montana to Fort Necessity in western Pennsylvania, this is the pass to access all kinds of American history!

The historic Jefferson hotel in Richmond, Virginia

Closing words from history.

From the diary of John Adams- his perspective and thoughts during Christmas 1765. In context, written over a decade before the Declaration of Independence. Click here to read the full section transcribed on the Founders Archives.

There is a huge practical disclaimer to the content on this blog, which is my way of sharing my excitement and basically journaling online.

1) I am not a historian nor an expert. I will let you know I’m relaying the information as I understand and interpret it. The employees of Colonial Williamsburg base their presentations, work, and responses on historical documents and mainly primary sources.

2) I will update for accuracy as history is constant learning. If you have a question about accuracy, please ask me! I will get the answer from the best source I can find.

3) Photo credit to me, Daphne Reznik, for all photos in this post unless otherwise credited! All photos are personal photos taken in public access locations or with specific permission.

Feeling festive and in the holiday spirit? Use my online tip jar to show your support of this free blog and buy me a coffee:

Staircase at the Jefferson Hotel, Richmond, Virginia