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Hot Holiday Gifts for History Buffs

Hot Holiday Gifts for history buffs. If you are looking for unique holiday gifts or last minute gift ideas you'll find the best Christmas gifts and other holiday gift ideas here!

Each year, we are all faced with a dilemma... what's the perfect gift for that special person in our life who has everything. I've found a few unique holiday gifts that are the perfect last minute gift ideas for anybody on your list, but especially great for the history buff in your life. This page has a great selection of some hot holiday gifts.

Hot Holiday Gifts - Unique Holiday Gifts

Ok... I have to admit... this one is a little strange, but a history or civil war buff would find it interesting! Lincoln Life Mask by Leonard Volk.

In the spring of 1860, during Abraham Lincoln's visit to Chicago, Leonard Wells Volk, noted American sculptor, asked him to sit for a bust. When Lincoln agreed, the artist decided to create a life mask. This is a remarkable reproduction of Volk's Lincoln Life Mask, measuring 10-inches, crafted in crushed stone resin. This would make one unique holiday gift!

If that's a little too strange for you, why not give them one of the hot new books this year - Bill O'Reilly and Martin Dugard's Killing Lincoln: The Shocking Assassination that Changed America Forever. This best selling book is a great historical thriller that will be perfect for those cold winter nights!

What history buff wouldn't like a to own a replica of Thomas Jefferson's Portable Writing Desk? The "writing box," as Thomas Jefferson called his portable desk, accompanied him wherever he went. Mr. Jefferson's Writing Box, true to every exquisite detail of the original, is hand-crafted of mahogany, about the size of an attache case. Like the original desk, this replica is hand-crafted by a skilled cabinetmaker, utilizing 18th century woodworking techniques and tools.

For the chess players, there are some gorgeous chess sets with American history themes available, like this American Revolutionary War Handpainted Chess Set.

Or you could buy just the chess pieces for a change of pace from his/her normal chess game.

Hot Holiday Gifts - Antique Maps and Reproductions of Antique Maps

Most people who are interested in American history would be thrilled with an authentic antique map from U.S. history. You can find some really wonderful and rare antique maps at Geographicus.

For reproductions of antique maps, Art.com has several, like the Plan of Washington, DC, circa 1795, shown below. You can purchase them framed and matted or without the frame. You can also find a wonderful selection of historical prints and Limited Editions at Art.com .

Plan of the City of Washington, c.1795 Buy From Art.com

Hot Holiday Gifts - Toys and Games

For a hot holiday gift idea for kids who like history, how about the The Time Travel Academy: Origins of World War II ? This is from Mike Huckabee's "Learn Our History: TimeCycle Academy", and will teach children about World War II, explaining why it happened and learning some valuable lessons along the way. Here is a video preview of this episode...

Does your extended family get together for games during the holidays? Or maybe just you and the kids like to have a game night. If you are always trying to find a family friendly game to try, you might like the American Trivia by Outset Media. It has a great mix of questions on different subjects pertaining to America, and not only is it fun, it's educational. Remember... learning American history and about America can be fun!

For a last minute gift idea, how about the Meccano 'Erector' construction kit. This kit contains everything necessary to build a realistic metal replica of New York City's famous Empire State Building. What guy (or gal) wouldn't like "playing" with this, and building one of America's most famous buildings? And I'll bet they don't already have one!!

You can find some great American history games and toys in our American History Games Shop.

Hot Holiday Gifts - Books, Magazines, Kindle and Audiobooks

For the "foodie" in your life I recommend the new "The Founding Foodies " book by Dave DeWitt. I love this book! It combines my love of cooking with my love of early American history. It tells how George Washington, Thomas Jefferson and Benjamin Franklin revolutionized American cuisine. If the history buff in your life also loves to cook (or is a foodie), this unique holiday gift is a no-brainer. They will love it! It features over thirty authentic colonial recipes, including Thomas Jefferson's ice cream, a recipe for beer by George Washington, Martha Washington's fruitcake recipe, Medford rum punch and Terrapin soup.

American History Magazine makes a really great last minute gift idea. You can subscribe online and print a gift notification card through Amazon. I subscribe to this magazine and always learn new fun facts and interesting information with each issue. A great gift idea for the amateur history buff, especially. The articles are interesting and not at all "stuffy". Easy to read and just chock full of great articles and snippets from history. The Weider History Group publishes other history magazines, including Civil War Times Illustrated.

Any person with an interest in early American history would enjoy Washington's Spies: The Story of America's First Spy Ring. Until recently, I didn't realize that one of Washington's spies was a woman! It's only been since I started this website that I'm learning some of these great fun facts!

On the lighter side, I'd recommend The Mental Floss History of the United States: The (Almost) Complete and (Entirely) Entertaining Story of America. This book is full of fun facts and entertaining trivia. Here's what the description on Amazon says about this book "In trademark smart aleck style, this is history according to mental_floss, an insightfully accurate and incisively humorous exploration of little-known truths and widely believed falsehoods, which simultaneously exposes some of America's oddest moments, strangest citizens, most egregious frauds, and much, much more." This book would be fun for anyone.

A last minute hot holiday gifts idea, perfect for any history buff, would be a subscription to Audible.com - the best place to get audio books! Give a subscription to audible.com and let them download their favorite books for listening anytime, anywhere!

eBooks.com offers another great idea for people who love to read. You can buy an eBooks gift certificate - great for anybody who loves their Kindle or e-reader!

For the kids, how about a Kindle version of Revolutionary War Days: Discover the Past with Exciting Projects, Games, Activities, and Recipes (American Kids in History Series)? Although I have not personally read this book, it looks like a fun way for children to learn about the American Revolution.

Speaking of Kindles, the new Kindle Fire would make extremely hot holiday gifts! The full color Kindle Fire with its 7 inch, multi-touch Display and Wi-Fi would be great for the traveler on your list. You can watch movies, listen to music, browse the web, read books, play games and so much more with the new Kindle Fire. And the color screen is perfect for those who prefer color over the regular e-readers.

Hot Holiday Gifts - DVDs and Movies

One of the reasons that I started American History Fun Facts was because I watched the HBO series "John Adams ". This series is so interesting, and it really renewed my interest in American history. It inspired me to read and learn more about US history, especially the time surrounding the Revolutionary War. Our founding fathers are so inspiring, and most were fascinating characters! I highly recommend this video. It is very well acted and produced. The story is great too - even people who aren't interested in history will enjoy this DVD! If I had to pick one hot holiday gift for myself, this would be it.

Vietnam in HD is a new six hour miniseries from History.com about the Vietnam War. Featuring interviews and color footage from private collections, this miniseries would make a great stocking stuffer. DVD's make great last minute gift ideas, and some of the best Christmas gifts!

One of my favorites from the History Channel is the series "The Presidents". This series is an 8-part series that traces the history of America's highest office from the Revolution to the 2004 campaign. Visit historic sites nationwide and examine rare presidential artifacts. A panoramic look at the personalities who have occupied the Oval Office. This series was based on the acclaimed book "To the Best of My Ability ". I learned some great "fun facts" about the Presidents from this series, and have been sharing them with my Twitter and Facebook friends recently!

For a great selection of American history books and DVDs, visit American History Fun Facts Book Store.

We sell a variety of American history themed gifts and apparel in our Zazzle shop. You can find everything from some great stocking stuffers like "The Peacemakers" (Abraham Lincoln and his generals) keychain to a Declaration of Independence iPad case. Or what about a portable "Doodle" speaker with the famous painting of George Washington crossing the Delaware? Or create your own custom speaker with one of your photographs or works of art.

We also offer two different calendars from American History Fun Facts. One features great quotes from American History, and the other features fun facts, historical information and beautiful historical artwork. The 2012 editions are shown below.

Great Quotes from American History

American History Fun Facts Calendar

For more ideas for some hot holiday gifts for the history lover on your list, visit our American History Shop!

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