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Everything old is new again. And as people of a certain age will surely agree, the reason why old-school things come back in style is because they’re, well, totally awesome. Whether it’s to summon up some nostalgia for older gift recipients or to introduce the next generation to some of the best things from your youth, this guide will help you find the best retro gifts for everyone on your list.
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For the Baby: Fisher-Price Little People Toddler Toy See ‘n Say The Farmer Says
Not only did your kids play with this Farmer Says See ‘n Say, but you probably did, too. Now it’s time to share the tradition with a new baby in the family. Like the older versions, it still plays “Old MacDonald” and “Farmer in the Dell” and teaches toddlers 16 different animal names and sounds they make. It has been updated to a pull lever versus the original pull string we grew up with though (and we’re totally down with safety upgrades). Since it’s no longer analog, though, it means you’ll need batteries for this one.
For the Preschooler: Radio Flyer Red Rider Trike
There’s no mistaking that crisp red color and a happy kid pedaling away. Radio Flyer tricycles are timeless classics that never really went away, but they do harken back to simpler times of playing outside until the street lamps came on. This one has an adult hand grip on the seat back to help guide kids who are just learning. There’s also an adjustable seat so the trike can grow with your toddler until around age 5.
For Young Kids: Lite Brite Classic, Favorite Retro Toy
I bet you can still hear the commercial jingle in your head for the must-have toy on every kid’s holiday list back in the day. Lite Brite is still every bit as colorful and fun as it was in the 80s, and it’s still available. This set comes with 206 pegs in six different colors with some templates to help get those creative juices flowing. There’s also four different light modes. Whoever the lucky kid is who gets this, I bet their mom or dad will want to make a few designs, too!
For the Middle-Schooler: The Retro Box (Choose Your Own Adventure Retro Editions
Stop the presses! This may be the best gift ever if you grew up in the 80s and were obsessed with “choose your own adventure” books. If you have a niece, nephew, or grandchild who loves to read, this terrific four-book throwback set features the same illustrated covers as the originals, and gives readers 160 different ending outcome choices. The books include: “The Cave of Time” by Edward Packard; “Journey Under The Sea” by R. A. Montgomery; “Space and Beyond” by R. A. Montgomery; and “By Balloon to the Sahara” by D. Terman.
For the Teen: JAMBO 16” Lava Lamp
Have lava lamps ever not been cool? They were most popular back when Boomers were teens listening to British pop and leaning into counter culture, but then fell out of style for a bit. But good news: they’re back. Great for dorm rooms, gamer dens, or wherever the special teen in your life likes to hang out, these colorful lamps with floating shapes help set the mood. This one comes in a variety of colors, but the silver base with blue liquid versions is far out.
For Your Favorite Millennial: Trivillennial
Celebrate the 30-somethings in your life with a little throwback gift that helps them remember the trends that shaped their youth. This trivia game has 1,000 questions in categories like 15 Seconds of Fame, Trends, Random, Technology, and more. Play a family round to see who if you remember the key moments, pop culture icons, and crazy controversies that dominated the formative years of millennials.
For Your Gen X Siblings/Cousins/Kids: Generation X Humor T-Shirt
No truer words have ever been written about Gen X: “The only generation that became 30 at the age of 10, and is still 30 at the age of 50.” If you have a relative with whom you share great pride in growing up latchkey style, they’ll love this wardrobe addition to show off their Gen X-ness. The shirt is available in 16 colors, and comes in men’s and ladies cuts. Big and tall and plus sizes are available as well.
For Your Music-Loving Bestie: Victrola The Quincy 6-in-1 Bluetooth Record Player & Multimedia Center with Built-in Speakers
If you know a music lover who has refused to get rid of their vinyl, CD, and cassette collections, then this is the perfect gift for them. This Victrola 3-Speed Turntable has a fabulous retro look, but also plays CDs and Cassettes. And, you can also tune in to AM/FM Radio or streaming music. (Sorry, no 8-tracks, though.)
For Your Partner: My Arcade Atari Game Station Pro
Sure, you both like to play games on your tablets or phones, but how fun would it be to go head to head in a game of Asteroids or Missile Command? If you live with someone who grew up on a steady diet of Centipede, this classic console comes with 200+ pre-loaded Atari 2600/5200/7800 games and wireless joysticks. It connects directly to your TV with USB power cable and HDMI cable.
Bonus Gift for the Nifty 50+ Crowd: Hallmark Keepsake Christmas Ornament: The Oregon Trail
Originally released by Hallmark in 2024, this nostalgic ornament is still around if you didn’t get a chance to pick it up last year. This ornament lights up and plays music from “The Oregon Trail” game and it’s sure to bring back awesome 80s memories of playing it on an Apple II or MS-DOS system in school.
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