By: HISTORY.com Editors
Perfect picks for the time traveler, trivia champ or armchair archaeologist on your list.
Stock up on the best presents for the history buffs on your list.
HISTORY.com may earn affiliate commissions for purchases made through links on this website. Prices may change.
Celebrate the red, white and blue with America-opoly ($24.99), a spirited twist on Monopoly that lets you amass national treasures like Niagara Falls and the Grand Canyon. Build homes, trade for estates and race for that July 4 payday—just steer clear of traffic jams and the IRS.
An optically merged image of a dogfight over England between a Spitfire and a Messerschmitt ME 109.
An optically merged image of a dogfight over England between a Spitfire and a Messerschmitt ME 109.
Take flight through history with the World War II Aircraft Puzzle ($14.99). This 500-piece jigsaw challenge showcases legendary warbirds from both Allied and Axis forces—Spitfires, Messerschmitts, B-29s and more. Printed with eco-friendly inks on sturdy recycled board, it’s a sky-high blend of history, craftsmanship and puzzle-solving fun.
Travel through 4,000 years of flavor with Tasting History (hardcover from $20.24). Popular YouTuber Max Miller brings age-old recipes to modern kitchens—including ancient Roman cheese balls, Tudor “soul cakes” and Aztec chocolate—each paired with the rich stories behind them. Brimming with sumptuous photos and witty storytelling, it’s part cookbook, part time machine for the taste buds.
Unearth adventure with the National Geographic Kids’ Metal Detector Starter Kit ($49.99). Lightweight, durable and easy to use, it’s the perfect companion for beach hunts or backyard expeditions. With its LED and sound alerts, an adjustable arm and a waterproof coil, young explorers can dig into history—literally. Includes a sturdy trowel and fun learning guide for curious treasure seekers.
Celebrate brilliance, courage and creativity from across the African diaspora with Black Legends ($7.99), a smartly designed deck of playing cards that turns every game into a history lesson. Beyond icons like Harriet Tubman, Thurgood Marshall and Nelson Mandela, the deck deals up lesser-known heroes like Jamaican revolutionary Nanny of the Maroons and Yaa Asantewaa, an early 20th-century Ashanti queen. Ten percent of proceeds support Black community initiatives.
Celebrate the cosmos—with yourself at the center—with the Ptolemaic Watch ($49.95). This clever timepiece reimagines Ptolemy’s Earth-centered universe, with the sun marking minutes and the moon tracking hours as the planets revolve around you. Witty, whimsical and a little heretical, it’s perfect for stargazers who prefer their astronomy delightfully outdated.
Put your historical savvy to the ultimate test with the HISTORY Trivia Game ($24.95). Packed with more than 2,000 questions spanning from the Big Bang to today, this officially licensed game challenges players across five lively categories. It’s fast, fascinating fun—perfect for history buffs and know-it-alls alike.
Raise a laugh—and a little liberty—with the “Spilling the Tea Since 1773” Travel Mug ($23.97). This vacuum-insulated stainless steel tumbler keeps drinks perfectly hot or cold while paying cheeky tribute to America’s most famous brew-ha-ha. Equal parts practical and patriotic, it’s revolutionary refreshment on the go.
Hoist the colors and get a closer look with the Ocean Replicas 1920 Dollond London Brass Maritime Telescope ($47.99). This 15-inch working spyglass, handcrafted in solid brass and engraved “Dollond London 1920,” is fit for any sea captain—or pirate—worth their salt. A gleaming treasure in its wooden chest, it’s ready to spot distant shores, hidden booty or a colorful songbird perched on that high branch.
Explore the defining conflict of the 20th century in depth with World War II: The Definitive Visual History (hardcover $18.33). This richly illustrated chronicle brings the war to life through powerful photographs, maps and firsthand accounts that reveal its global scale and human cost. From the first sparks of aggression to the uneasy peace that followed, it traces how ordinary lives were swept into extraordinary events—and offers a compelling window into the war that reshaped the modern world.
'The Procession of the Trojan Horse into Troy' by painter Giovanni Battista Tiepolo, c. 1760. From the National Gallery, London.
'The Procession of the Trojan Horse into Troy' by painter Giovanni Battista Tiepolo, c. 1760. From the National Gallery, London.
Bring ancient legend to life with the Trojan Horse Model Kit ($33.99)—a hands-on blend of history, art and engineering. Crafted from eco-friendly wood and based on drawings and written records, this clever kit lets kids (and curious adults) construct their own working Trojan Horse while learning about one of the most epic tales of ancient Greece. Smart, creative and seriously fun—no siege required.
Bring the cosmos home with the 3D Solar System Crystal Ball ($26.39). This luminous 80 mm glass sphere captures our solar system in stunning laser-etched detail, glowing beautifully when lit. Perfect as a desk accent, night light or gift for astronomy lovers, it offers a mesmerizing window to our little corner of the universe in the palm of your hand.
Journey back to the land of the pharaohs with this Handcrafted Solid Wood Senet Board ($32.99). Beloved by ancient Egyptians, Senet was more than a pastime: King Tutankhamun was buried with five of these game boxes, and Queen Nefertiti was depicted playing it on the walls of her tomb—testaments to its sacred role. Meaning “passing,” Senet symbolized the soul’s journey through the afterlife, with squares representing both peril and protection along the way. Beautifully crafted and endlessly replayable, this board offers ancient fun for modern game nights.
Peek into the past through the eyes of those who lived it with Remarkable Diaries (hardcover from $18.15). This beautifully illustrated chronicle gathers the journals, sketchbooks and notebooks of thinkers, artists, explorers and dreamers across two millennia—like Leonardo da Vinci, Oscar Wilde and Anne Frank. Discover what it was like to build a pyramid, sail with Magellan or serve on the Western Front—in the intimate words of those who did it.
Celebrate America’s wild beauty with this National Parks Postcard Set ($17.82), featuring 100 stunning designs inspired by all 63 parks—including Yosemite, the Grand Canyon, the Everglades, Acadia and more. Each card pairs vibrant art with fascinating park facts, perfect for mailing, collecting or framing. A portion of proceeds supports the National Park Service, making this set a love letter to the great outdoors.
Raise a toast to liberty with this U.S. Constitution & Declaration of Independence Glass Set ($26.99 for two). Each 16-ounce glass steeps you in history, featuring elegant, full-text designs of America’s founding documents. Dishwasher-safe, durable and dignified, they’re the perfect gift for patriots who like their freedom on tap.
Take a daily dive into the past with 1,001 Fun Facts for Every Day of the Year ($15.10). HISTORY®’s first book for kids turns world history into a lively adventure, filled with surprising stories, fascinating people and eye-popping discoveries. Brimming with color and curiosity, it makes every day a new chance to time-travel through the past.
Rule the world—one turn at a time—with Sid Meier’s Civilization: A New Dawn ($50.99). This fast-paced strategy board game, which reimagines the best-selling computer game, lets you step into the shoes of history’s greatest leaders, from Cleopatra to Teddy Roosevelt, as you expand empires, claim resources and build wonders. Smart, fun and endlessly replayable, it’s world domination with dice and cards.
Experience one of America’s darkest chapters through the eyes of a child with George Takei’s powerful graphic memoir They Called Us Enemy (paperback $11.04). In this New York Times bestseller, the "Star Trek" actor and activist recounts his family’s imprisonment in U.S. internment camps during World War II. Takei’s story follows his family’s forced removal from their home, years behind barbed wire and the quiet bravery that shaped his lifelong fight for justice.
Strut through history with this Presidential Socks Set ($7.99). Featuring four vibrant pairs celebrating Washington, Jefferson, Lincoln and Kennedy, this collection brings statesman style to your sock drawer. Equal parts classy and cheeky, they’re perfect for history buffs who like their heroes—and their fashion—a little legendary.
The eight-day Festival of Lights marks an event dating to the second century B.C.E.
From lighting a menorah, to giving out gelt, to eating cheese—find out how these Hanukkah traditions began.
Seasonal greetings have never been so controversial.
HISTORY.com works with a wide range of writers and editors to create accurate and informative content. All articles are regularly reviewed and updated by the HISTORY.com team. Articles with the “HISTORY.com Editors” byline have been written or edited by the HISTORY.com editors, including Amanda Onion, Missy Sullivan, Matt Mullen, Christian Zapata, Cristiana Lombardo and Adrienne Donica.
We strive for accuracy and fairness. But if you see something that doesn't look right, click here to contact us! HISTORY reviews and updates its content regularly to ensure it is complete and accurate.
Get fascinating history stories twice a week that connect the past with today’s world, plus an in-depth exploration every Friday.
