28 Exceptional Gifts That Any History Buff Will Treasure

By Candice Elliott | Updated: December 5, 2023

    Do you know someone who devours history books and spends hours watching documentaries? They may sometimes even seem more interested in the past than the present. Of course, history buffs are an interesting breed. But can you blame them for being fascinated by the historical figures and world-changing events that have brought us to where we are today?

  1. National Geographic Visual History of the World
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    This book is a tome! It covers everything from 4,000 BCE right up to our times. Filled with photos and illustrations, it’s one of the best gift ideas a history lover could hope for. The book is enormous, with more than 600 pages, and weighing nearly 6 pounds. It will provide many hours of happy reading. Any history buff will want this on their bookshelf.

  3. History by Mail Six-Month Subscription
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    The invention of the atomic bomb. Rosa Parks and the Montgomery bus boycott. Sure, you can read about these moments in a book, but why not hear from those there? This monthly mail subscription service sends detailed replicas of historical documents, like Albert Einstein’s correspondence with FDR or Parks’ police report when she refused to give up her seat. In addition, each letter comes with pertinent information to explain any additional context and cultural significance.

  5. This Day In History 2022 Calendar
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    This history calendar is a great gift idea for the history buff who also loves to play trivia games. From one of the most relied-upon and best-respected sources of historical material, The History Channel comes a record of extraordinary critical events for every day of the year! Packed full of influential events, remarkable accomplishments, groundbreaking inventions, and inspiring people, this 2022 history-boxed calendar assembles 365 days of exciting facts from early civilization to the 21st century.

  7. History of the World Map by Map
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    So much of world history is influenced by geography. That’s what this book conveys. Covering everything from humans migrating from Africa to the race to reach outer space, this book offers more than 140 maps with incredible detail.

  9. The Greatest Presidential Stories Never Told
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    Not all history gets the star treatment. There are countless Presidential stories virtually lost to time. This book tells some of those lesser-known but still compelling Presidential stories. This is the perfect gift for the history buff who likes to know what goes on in the Oval Office! 

  11. Washington Post Birthday Book
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    It’s time to celebrate a significant historical moment—the day you were born! This custom-made, commemorative book is a treasury of the historical events that have crossed your path or an honored gift recipient. To start with, the timeless, hardback binding comes with the recipient’s name embossed in gold on its surface and a custom-printed dedication on the title page. Then, inside, the book contains reproductions of the front page of The Washington Post, one for each birthday back to the day you entered the world.

  13. Chronology Game
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    Do you know which came first – the invention of mayonnaise or decaffeinated coffee? Lincoln’s Gettysburg address or John Deere’s first plow? Test your knowledge with Chronology by Buffalo Games – the game of all time! Build your timeline of cards. Someone will read you a historical event from a card. Then, you decide where that event falls in your timeline. If you are right, keep the card, and your timeline will grow. The first player to build a timeline of 10 cards wins!

  15. F*ucking History Book
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    History that doesn’t suck: Smart, crude, and funny account hilariously relevant to modern life. Those who don’t know history are doomed to repeat it. Too bad it’s usually boring as sh*t. Enter The Captain, the ultimate storyteller who brings history to life (and to your life) in this hilarious, intelligent, brutally honest, and crude compendium of events before we were born.

  17. A History of Food in 100 Recipes
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    They will also love this book if your history lover is a foodie. In many ways, food is history, and this book tells us those tales. With a history lesson and a cookbook in one, any recipient will be thrilled with this gift. 

  19. Julius Caesar Pencil Holder
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    If your history buff has a dark sense of humor, they’ll love this pencil holder. Of course, Caesar can’t say he wasn’t warned, “Beware the Ides of March.” Made of heavy-weight resin, it holds six pens or pencils and is about eight inches tall.

  21. Framed Declaration of Independence
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    For the American Revolution history buff, one of the most important documents ever composed, this sepia-colored copy of the Declaration of Independence comes framed in black. It measures 19 by 21 inches. If only Nicholas Cage had this, it could have saved us all a lot of time. It’s a super unique gift any history buff will love. 

  23. History Dawn of Civilization 
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    This comprehensive and compelling visual encyclopedia tells the story of our world in proper depth and detail, from the origins of life on Earth until the 21st century. Human endeavor and achievement are charted and celebrated from every angle, alongside important events, groundbreaking ideas, military history, political forces, and technological advances that have shaped our planet’s progress.

  25. Presidential Slogan Coffee Mug
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    This Presidential Slogan Mug and 29 Classic campaign slogans on one mug – from Adelai to Zachary! It will hold 12 oz. of their favorite beverage and come in a colorful box ready for gifting.

  27. Ancestry DNA Kit
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    We all have our history, and sometimes, it’s largely unknown. This DNA kit can illuminate your history buff’s background and traits. The test gives more exact ethnicity and geographical detail than others, giving testers a complete picture of who and where they came from. This holiday season gives them a peek into their history.

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  29. Novelty Socks
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    These socks are great for lovers of American presidential history. They feature George Washington, Benjamin Franklin (not a president but a Founding Father), Abraham Lincoln, and more. The socks are unisex, and there are four sets per order. 

  31. The Book of History
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    The best part of being a history lover is discovering new topics. This gift is perfect for that. It covers a wide range of topics in easily digestible snippets, allowing the reader to find new topics and read further on the ones that catch their interest. 

  33. Teas of the Boston Tea Party
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    Boston Harbor, December 16, 1773: It’s late, it’s freezing, and the colonists aren’t going to take it anymore. “No taxation without representation!” The day goes down in history as the Boston Tea Party. Taste colonial times with this set of five teas–two green and three black–in the varieties in the 342 chests thrown overboard during that momentous protest.

  35. Constitution Whiskey Glasses and Decanter
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    It is one of the most important documents ever composed and one of the most incredible drinks ever invented! This set includes a decanter and four whiskey glasses, all etched with words from the United States Consitution. 

  37. Alexander Hamilton Card Game
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    Thanks to Lin Manuel Miranda’s hit musical, Alexander Hamilton is having something of a moment. This game uses historical figures from early American history and the events of those times to influence gameplay. It can be played with 2-6 players and is meant for those ages ten and up.

  39. Lego Architecture Statue of Liberty
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    Lovers of New York City history will instantly recognize the Statue of Liberty. Now, they can build it themselves with this Lego kit. The kit is suitable for history buffs aged 16 and up. 

  41. Gods & Heros Pop-Up Book
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    Not all history books are this cool! This pop-up book covers Greek, Roman, Egyptian, Norse, Eastern, and New World gods. The book is suitable for kids in grades K-4. 

  43. Civil War History T-Shirt
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    Is your history nerd also a Civil War nerd? Do they love a good joke? If so, they will love this history gift. The t-shirt comes in Men’s or Women’s fit, five colors, and sizes from Small to 3XL. 

  45. D-Day Action Figures
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    Fans of history will love this gift. This set of D-Day action figures makes a unique gift for that child who is wild about history! The set comes with 40 pieces and will be a new favorite toy!

  47. Henry VIII Coffee Mug
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    King Henry VIII had more than a few wives, and more than a few of them had unhappy endings. As you fill this mug with coffee or another hot liquid, the wives disappear, revealing what happened to them. 

  49. History Teacher Travel Mug
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    Some people want to bury the past, but not history teachers! This travel mug gets the point across. The coffee mug is stainless steel and will keep hot drinks hot and cold drinks cold and hold up to 20 ounces. 

  51. Historical Novels Jigsaw Puzzle
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    Put together some of the greatest novels ever written with this one-of-a-kind 1000-piece jigsaw puzzle! Each piece is unique and fits precisely in the correct spot. It makes a tremendous gift for family game nights or those who have the patience to do jigsaw puzzles. 

  53. Notre Dame of Paris Bookends
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    Help your history buff keep their history books organized with these bookend busts of the world-famous Notre Dame of Paris. These gorgeous bookends will keep your historical novels safe and tidy while doubling as a terrific conversation piece for your next dinner party! 

  55. John Adams Biography
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    David McCullough is an author all history buffs are familiar with. This biography of John Adams, the second president of the United States, won the author a Pulitzer Prize and was the basis for the HBO series on the Founding Fathers—an excellent idea for a book lover.  

    What are the best gifts for history buffs?

    Step into the realm of the past with our curated list of unique gifts that are bound to capture the heart of any avid history enthusiast. Whether captivated by ancient civilizations, intrigued by wartime narratives, or enamored by the stories that shaped our world, these one-of-a-kind treasures are tailor-made to fuel their passion for the past.

    Whether you’re seeking a birthday surprise or a gesture of appreciation, get ready to explore a collection that embraces the richness of our human heritage and turns it into cherished keepsakes.