Holidays are steeped in nostalgia. From watching the same Christmas movie for the 20th time, to ugly sweaters that hearken to another era, memories of the past saturate every aspect of the holiday season.
“Nostalgia is universal,” says Dr Krystine Batcho, nostalgia expert and professor of psychology at Le Moyne College in Syracuse, New York. “By bringing back thoughts of people, activities and things that gave us joy in our past, we can relive good emotions such as joy, peace, security and love.”
When you’re hunting for a gift that really resonates with someone, you can use that to your advantage. “Nostalgic gifts are wonderful. They are an acknowledgement that we understand the recipient – their likes and dislikes, interests and talents,” explains Batcho. “In cases of close relationships, nostalgic gifts represent a special bond of a past with shared experiences.”
If you want to tap into those warm feelings with a gift for someone you love, you’re in luck: stores are teeming with retro reboots designed to turn back the clock. And if you insist on the original article, eBay and Etsy make it easier than ever to find one. We dove deep into the nostalgia bin to find the best of both worlds. Whether you’re shopping for kids or a retro-crazed adult, these nostalgic gifts will put you on the nice list.
Easy-Bake Oven
New design, same vintage charm. First introduced in the 1960s, the Easy-Bake Oven has been entertaining kids bakers for generations. The modern Easy-Bake Ultimate Oven ditches the old-school look for a bright, pastel color palette complete with rainbow confetti lights. The toy oven comes with a baking pan and a spatula pan tool to make brownies, cookies, pizza, soft pretzel bites and other goodies.
Craving a vintage Easy-Bake Oven from the 90s? You can find one on eBay for under $100, but you’ll probably want to toss the 30-year-old brownie mix.
Lego Nintendo Game Boy
Nintendo teamed up with Lego to revive the iconic Game Boy gaming console – and you can build this one yourself. The 421-piece building kit looks nearly identical to the original and nails all of the design details, including the bright pink A and B button layout, along with start and select buttons, and working control pad. It even comes with brick-built versions of Super Mario Land, Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening, and removable Game Paks that you can swap out to change the home screen.
Sadly, the Lego version doesn’t actually work as a gaming console, but if you’re on the hunt for a working original Game Boy, there are plenty available on Etsy for about $120.
Tamagotchi
The original Tamagotchi was a totally novel idea when it arrived in 1996: a digital pet that fits easily on your backpacks, belt loops and keychains. Nowadays, the digi-pet comes in a bunch of different sizes, designs and characters. The basic Tamagotchi appears smaller and lighter than the ones from the 90s but still fits on a keychain or purse charm. Don’t be fooled by its compact size: tending to a Tamagotchi feels like a full-time job (the fun kind, of course). It beeps when you need to feed it, play with it, discipline it, and make sure it’s happy.
Craving the old-school version? A new-in-box original can be had for about $40 on eBay.
Polaroid instant camera
Digital fatigue has pushed instant cameras back to the forefront, and Polaroid is here for it. Polaroid carries a fleet of retro-inspired, instant cameras like Polaroid Go, the smallest of the bunch. Measuring just over 4in, the instant camera snaps photos small enough to fit in a wallet or phone case. It comes equipped with modern settings such as a selfie mirror, and a self-timer to capture memorable moments. Don’t forget to also grab a pack of the corresponding Polaroid Go Film, which runs $22 for 16 exposures.
Vintage cameras like the Polaroid Supercolor 635 and Polaroid 600 show up all the time for less than $130 on Etsy, and Polaroid still makes the film.
Motorola Razr flip phone
Flip phones are back in style! The Motorola Razr Flip is a throwback to the flip phone era with modern features like a full 6.9in pOLED touchscreen inside, and a mini external screen that allows you to make calls and take pictures without opening the phone. One of the cutest things about Moto Razr is “Moo”, the digital character that comes loaded onto the phone. You can watch Moo wake up, eat breakfast, go to work and take the train back home on the phone’s home screen.
Too fancy? The vintage phone is available in a bunch of different colors for around $40 – including the iconic, hot pink Razr. But don’t expect to make calls: most cell networks no longer support its 2004-era tech.
Bratz
From hair and makeup to fashionable fits, Bratz are all about embracing individuality. The new Bratz x Mean Girls collection features “bratified” versions of Cady, Janis and Regina George. The limited collection and follow-up to a previously successful Bratz collab, debuted on 3 October, but it’s already out of stock on the Bratz website. If you missed the chance to snag a collectible doll, you can find Bratz x Mean Girls dolls on resale sites like eBay. Luckily, the original Bratz girlies – Chloe, Sasha, Jade, Yasmin and Meygan – are also in stock. Plus, there are a ton of different Bratz collections to shop, including Fashion Pixies, Stylin’, Bratz Babyz, and the Brataversary doll celebrating the 24th anniversary of Bratz.
If you’re a fan of the original Bratz, examples like this 2001 Jade doll pop up on eBay at prices more affordable than you’d think.
Furby
The Furby was one of the hottest toys in the 90s, and the cuddly creatures still have a strong fanbase, including one lunatic who turned 45 of them into an organ. In 2023, Hasbro revived the loveable plushies in honor of Furby’s 25th anniversary. The toy giant upgraded Furby and expanded the lineup to include other Furbies such as Furby Galaxy, Furby Gold Glam, DJ Furby and Furblets, AKA mini Furbies.
If you need a vintage Furby from the 90s, you can shop them on Etsy – but be prepared to spend at least $125.
Trolls
Before Lububus were flying off shelves, Trolls reigned supreme. Decades later, Dreamworks’ Trolls Worldwide put Trolls back on the radar. By comparison, the new Trolls have different faces than the originals and they’re much smaller than the hefty Trolls from yesteryear. On a positive note, the new Trolls dolls are just as cute as their forefathers.
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Retro figurines routinely sell on Etsy for abou $20 to $40.
Battleship
Battleship is a two-person strategy game that has been around for nearly a century. Although Battleship has undergone design upgrades over the years, very little has changed, and that’s a good thing. The tiny pieces are just as liable to get lost, but thankfully, the bright colors make them easier to find.
A vintage Battleship board game is easy to snag on eBay for under $20.
Liar’s Uno
The colorful Uno you know and love has expanded into several different variants, including Uno Flex, Giant Uno, Uno No Mercy, and the version we picked here, Liar’s Uno. You’ll need a strong poker face to mislead other players when you draw from the pile and declare your card aloud. If you’re caught in a lie, you’ll need to grab another card; if you’re falsely accused, your accuser takes the extra card.
You can still buy original Uno new, but if you need the exact look and feel of the cards you played in your basement 30 years ago, Etsy has you covered for about $15.
Connect 4 Frenzy
Connect 4 Frenzy flips the original game on its back – literally. Like the classic version, the object of Connect 4 Frenzy is to get four chips in a row. But instead of sliding the chips down the vertical board, you bounce them into a horizontal grid to match the colors. It’s more chaotic than the original, namely because players can bounce their chips into the grid at the same time, but it’s an interesting spin on the match game.
Not feeling the frenzy? The original Connect 4 is major retails, and Etsy has plenty of vintage Connect 4 sets from the 80s, plus other vintage editions.
Barbie x Hot Wheels Corvette
Riding in style! Inspired by the 1956 Corvette Stingray seen in Barbie The Movie, the baby pink convertible two-seater is the perfect way for Barbie to get around. The Barbie x Hot Wheels Convertible features a rounded, vintage design with white wall tires and a trunk that actually works. The remote-controlled, pink Corvette requires five AA batteries (not included) and zooms around a room under its own power. Make sure Barbie is safely secured in her seatbelt before she hops behind the wheel.
If you want to revisit another era, Etsy has vintage Barbie Corvettes from all different years – including this stunning, 1984 Barbie Silver ‘Vette.
Etch A Sketch
While many other toys have changed with the times, Etch A Sketch has remained the same. No batteries, no lights or bells and whistles: just two knobs and a red frame. A throwback to simpler times, and surprisingly relaxing to play with as an adult, Etch A Sketch is a gift for the ages. The newer design doesn’t stray from the signature edition first released in 1960, but authenticity is everything, this vintage Etch-A-Sketch landed on Etsy’s list of rare finds – and it’s only $25.
Magic 8 Ball
Despite being an iconic children’s toy, the Magic 8 Ball has a spooky origin story: Inventor Albert C Carter designed the original Magic 8 Ball in the 1940s, modeled after a spirit box used by his psychic mother who claimed to speak to the dead. For the rest of us, it’s an easy way to get answers to “yes” or “no” questions – perfect for overthinkers.
Most people won’t be able to tell the modern version from an older model, but Etsy has a Magic 8 Ball from the 80s for less than $15.
Rubik’s Pulse
A timed version of the classic puzzle game, Rubik’s Pulse challenges players to solve the puzzle before the timer runs out. The Pulse lights up in the center and the blocks change colors, so it looks similar to a traditional Rubik’s Cube. The luminescent cube features “pulse” and “demo” modes, but you only have 60 seconds to match the colors. And if that’s not scary enough, the lights flash faster as the clock ticks down.
If Rubik’s Pulse is a little too modern for your liking, the old-fashioned Rubik’s Cube is available at Etsy for $10, and you can easily buy one new, too.
