These Editor-Approved Gifts Are Perfect for the History-Obsessed

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History allows us to understand and appreciate the human experience on another level. It isn’t just a list of memorable events in chronological order, but rather a story. And they are stories history buffs love to revisit time and again.

If you happen to be holiday shopping for your history-loving friend or family member, we have a lineup of the most giftable items that highlight history through the ages. From a cookbook with recipes spanning 4,000 years to a Lego build of NASA’s Mars rover Perseverance, our picks also cover specific interests, like the history of world cuisine or space exploration.

Bonus if you’re shopping on a budget: Every selection on our list costs $100 or less, with many under $20 that make great stocking stuffers. Ahead, check out the best gifts for history buffs to celebrate their love of the past.

Tasting History by Max Miller with Ann Volkwein

This gift allows history buffs and foodies alike to time travel with their taste buds. Max Miller, host of the popular YouTube channel “Tasting History” brings his videos to paper with this cookbook, which chronicles 4,000 years of recipes from around the world.

There are more than 60 mains, sides, desserts, and cocktails to peruse, like globi (deep-fried cheese balls with honey) from ancient Rome or nyumen (somen noodle soup) from 17th-century Japan.

Each recipe is paired with a historical synopsis, along with related artwork, photos or renderings. The cookbook is available in hardcover, spiral-bound, or for Kindle.

Technic NASA Mars Perseverance Advanced Building Kit

This model Lego set is great for both collectors and space lovers. It’s the Perseverance rover (aka Percy), which NASA sent to Mars in 2020 to explore the surface of the Jezero crater. The building kit includes a replica of Perseverance and the Ingenuity helicopter that accompanied the rover to the Red Planet. You can also pair the set with the augmented reality app to learn more about NASA’s Mars mission.

Declaration of Independence Whiskey Glasses

Wind down with whiskey and a side of history by using this set of old-fashioned cocktail glasses. Each 10-ounce tumbler has the Declaration of Independence printed all sides, with a heavy base and a soft rim for comfortable sipping. The glasses are made of lead-free glass, plus they’re dishwasher-safe.

Antique World Classic Globe

This handsome globe, rendered with antique-style typography and set on a wooden base, makes a lovely desk accessory or decorative object for any history buff. It’s made of recycled paper and features 3,500 place names on the globe, as well as raised mountain peaks to display texture and explorer ships and their shipping routes.

This Day in History Boxed Calendar

Keep track of important dates—present and past— with this boxed desk calendar. Its tear-off pages are filled with facts about inventions, special events in the news, and significant figures from ancient times to the 21st century.

Sapiens: The Birth of Humankind

In this graphic novel, historian Yuval Harari beautifully chronicles the story of humankind and evolution through 256 pages of full-colorful illustrations and easy-to-read text blurbs.

The book is combination of historical events and inquisitive commentary, with references to pop culture. Accompanied by a cast of fictional characters, the author guides readers in the ultimate journey across time and space.

Presidents Novelty Socks

If you need a gag gift or an affordable secret Santa present, these colorful socks featuring U.S. presidents, Founding Fathers, and other historical figures, are the way to go.

The socks are unisex, made with breathable cotton and a touch of polyester to retain their shape in the wash. Unisex sizing ranges from six to twelve.

Chronology: The Game Where You Make History

Does the history buff in your life need a little bit of a challenge for family game night? Chronology takes notable events throughout history and lets you figure out which came first.

You get to build your own timeline, and when a player reads you a historical event from a card, you get to decide where to place it. If you’re correct, you collect the historical event card. First player to 10 cards wins.

History of the World Mad Libs

Mad Libs never fails to entertain kids and adults alike. This version focuses on the history of the world, with 21 fill-in-the-blank pages of stories that cover historical landmarks, inventors, and more. We’d be thrilled to find one of these in our stockings.

World History Timeline Poster

For history teachers or history lovers, this poster recounts 4,000 years of world history in a visually appealing and engaging format.

It’s color-coded to represent the history of different peoples over time and the ever-changing balance of power through the ages. The design invites side-by-side comparison so students or friends and family can get an up-close learning experience. The poster is printed with archival ink on matte paper, and is more than 6 feet tall.

Letters From American History (Three Months)

There’s no better way to connect with historical events than to read correspondence from important figures during the time period.

With this monthly subscription, replicas of letters composed by the likes of Susan B. Anthony, Frederick Douglass, Abagail Adams, and others, are delivered to your giftee’s (physical) mailbox.

Each letter highlights a different historical theme or topic and includes an article from Letterjoy’s researchers so your history buff can take a deeper dive on the subject.

Celestial Desktop Timekeepers

These visually appealing timepieces are replicas of historical clocks from the 16th and 17th centuries. The age-old analog method of telling time combines your position in relation to the sun and alignment with the stars. Each hanging clock is brass-dipped and set on a wooden block, which makes a beautiful presentation.

Battles Map

Topography nerds with a liking for history can attest that maps aren't made just to yellow and fade away in your glove compartment.

Instead, they can be featured in a way that honors events as well as informs. This book showcases 80 different battles throughout history, timelines of everything in chronological order, all partnered with text descriptions of the events.

Quill Pen and Ink Set

Quill and ink is great way to create memorable letters for family and friends, and is reminiscent of old-fashioned writing techniques.

This set includes everything you might need: a calligraphy dip pen, a bottle of ink, five pen nibs, an engraved pen holder, paper and envelopes, a seal stamp, waxes, and an envelope opener.

History Trivia Family Card Game

Got kids that have a knack for trivia and love history? This game is a great combination of both, and a quick way to digest new facts. Plus it’s straightforward and easy to learn.

To play, the game master reads a trivia question from the card, players use A and B letter cards to select their answers, and at the end of the round everyone reveals their choice to see who guessed correctly.

History by Mail Subscription

There's no better way to connect with events throughout history than being able to read documents from notable moments over the years.

With this monthly subscription, your giftee will get a replica of a piece of historical mail, from correspondence between FDR and Albert Einstein to letters from the Supreme Headquarters Allied Expeditionary Force.

NASA Apollo 11 Lego Set

The Apollo 11 expedition marked a pivotal moment in time, space, and history. This model Lego set is great for collectors, and has several replica features.

The set includes a descent stage with landing pads, panels, laser hatches, opening camera, and a movable ladder. There are also two miniature astronaut figurines, which can fit inside the interior of the model.

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