It’s that time of year… the pace has changed, year-end holidays are in sight, and people are planning celebrations, holidays and family gatherings. Shops are full of Christmas decorations, sometimes quite beautiful and pricey, but mostly mass-produced. In the rush to get to that December break, many of you may be dodging traffic jams, car parks with no space and crowded shops that offer multiples of the same thing across hundreds of stores, making gift shopping a real challenge. So why not try something else this year?
A vintage piece can be a Christmas gift with a little more individuality. Many pieces at Collectibles by Deon are offered as single items, so the person unwrapping one receives something they are less likely to find under every Christmas tree. And the bonus? You can shop online from the comfort of your own home.
This guide covers who to give what, with ideas for different budgets using pieces from our shop. It opens our Vintage Christmas Gift Series, which runs until the week before Christmas. Current prices and availability appear in the individual listings.
Why a vintage piece makes a thoughtful gift
A new gift comes from a shelf. A vintage gift often comes with a maker, a pattern and a connection to another decade, and the person receiving it gets that story along with the object. It is a lovely way to add some nostalgia around special moments. Finding the right piece for that special person you want to spoil also shows the thoughtfulness behind gift-giving.
It can be used or displayed. A cup and saucer, a butter dish or a trinket box earns its place on the table or the shelf. Many pieces are offered individually, making the choice feel more personal. Bone china, Jasperware and glass that have already lasted for decades can continue to be enjoyed with appropriate care.
Vintage also means age. Light wear is normal, and we describe condition in every listing. The photos are part of that description, so look at all of them.
Gift ideas by recipient
Prices and availability are shown in the listings. Because many pieces are single items, check the listing before you plan around a particular gift.
For the host or hostess
Small, useful and easy to wrap. A Wedgwood sage green Jasperware lidded trinket box suits a dressing table or bedside cabinet - pretty storage for your jewelry. The Spode Blue Room Italian coasters, set of four, make a lovely gift for anyone who enjoys setting a table.
For the tea lover
Our Tea and Coffee Table collection has cup and saucer sets for different tastes and budgets. A footed pansy porcelain cup and saucer or a hand-painted miniature cobalt cup and saucer from Aveiro, Portugal, makes a pretty first gift. For something grander, consider the vintage Royal Crown Derby 2649 Imari cup and saucer. It is a chance to spoil someone who loves bringing out the good china for tea.
For someone setting up a home
Blue and white goes with almost any room. The Spode Blue Italian dinner plate, side plate and small cream jug can be given singly or built into a set. Our Spode and Copeland guide explains more about the pattern and the maker behind it.
A home comes together one piece at a time, and a vintage gift can be a lovely part of that. The Aynsley Cottage Garden miniature mantel clock adds a little floral detail to a bedside table or shelf without taking up much space.
For something with a local connection, have a look at our South African Ceramics collection. A vase, bowl or planter makes a thoughtful gift for someone finding their own decorating style. We feature several popular makers, including Lucia Ware, Hamburger Potteries and Drostdy Ware.
For the collector
Give a maker or colour they do not yet own. Wedgwood Jasperware comes in more than the familiar blue: the black Jasperware rectangular jewellery dish adds a touch of drama to the décor, while the lilac Jasperware creamer offers something a little different. Our Wedgwood guide helps with exploring the range. A quick look at what they already have may give you just the idea you need.
For the figurine lover
Royal Doulton lady figurines have long been a favourite. The Royal Doulton Mandy HN2476 is a great choice for collectors of these ladies. The Lladró Angel Playing Flute, model 4540, with its gentle hues, suits the season beautifully.
Not everyone collects the ladies, of course. For someone who prefers a little animal character, the SylvaC black and white spaniel has a lovely expression and those long ears that dog lovers will recognise. It makes a thoughtful choice for a spaniel owner, or someone who simply enjoys a shelf full of four-legged friends.
For the animal lover
The Lladró grey and white inquisitive seated cat is both quirky and beautifully crafted, ideal for a cat lover who enjoys a piece with character. The Beswick Beatrix Potter Rebeccah Puddle-Duck brings a familiar storybook character to a collection. For teddy bear lovers, have a look at the Cristal d’Arques purple glass bear.
For someone who loves colour
Our Crystal and Glass collection offers loads of colour and style. A ruby red Murano-style hand-blown vase or a Murano-style millefiori goblet brings colour to a shelf or table. For someone who enjoys glass, choosing a favourite colour is often a good place to start.
We also have something for the collector looking for antique glass. Have a look at this exquisite antique Art Nouveau iridescent glass Twin vase, or for some more glamour, see the Italian Murano gold leaf dolphin and flower double candlestick. We also stock an extensive collection of Carnival Glass.
For the golfer
The Roden sterling silver overlay golfer glass beer mug, circa 1955, makes an individual choice for the golfer in the family. Something a little different from just another set of golf balls!
A quick guide to budgets
There are gift ideas to suit all budgets, whether it is a small thank-you or something for a special occasion. Here are a few suggestions to help narrow the search. Check the current listings for prices and availability before making your choice.
| Budget | Good for | Examples to look for in the shop |
|---|---|---|
| Under R500 | Stocking fillers, host gifts, a first piece | SylvaC 4683 white leaf mint sauce jug; vintage Royal Stafford Bird Series cup and saucer; Wedgwood black Jasperware fluted Aurora relief tray. |
| R500 to R1,000 | A gift with presence | Mdina small hand-blown art glass seahorse sculpture; Coalport Josephine bone china figurine, modelled by Martin Evans; Murano opaline art glass seashell bowl, attributed to Archimede Seguso. |
| Over R1,000 | A milestone or a collector | Wedgwood blue Jasperware pedestal bowl; mid-century Murano Sommerso art glass fish; Lucia Ware 9001 flying mallard wall plaque. |
Standard shipping is free on orders of R1,495 or more, so a few gifts can travel together at no extra delivery charge when the order reaches that amount.
Buying with confidence
Read the condition notes and look at every photo. “No chips or cracks” means exactly that, but light age wear, such as gentle glaze wear, may still be present and is described separately. It is also worth checking the measurements so you know just how large or small the piece is.
Ask before you buy. If you are unsure about a piece, use the website chat or the contact page first. We will gladly assist.
Start early. Many pieces are single items. When one sells, that particular piece is gone, so it helps to leave a little time to find something else if needed.
Check the maker and model details, especially when buying for someone who already collects. A quick check of a name, pattern or model number can help avoid doubling up on a piece they already own.
How your gift arrives
Every item is individually wrapped. Fragile pieces get extra cushioning and, where needed, double-boxing. We ship within South Africa and internationally.
Orders are normally dispatched within 1 to 2 working days of payment confirmation, and standard delivery typically takes 3 to 5 business days, depending on your location. Standard shipping is R149 on orders under R1,495 and free from R1,495.
If a gift needs to arrive by a particular date, please ask before ordering. Christmas is a busy time for couriers, so shopping early leaves a little breathing room. We remain open for trade throughout December.
More in the Vintage Christmas Gift Series
Keep a lookout for more articles coming up in this series:
- Distinctive corporate gifts
- Vintage gifts by budget
- Gifts for the collector who already has everything
- Styling a vintage Christmas table
- How we pack vintage and antique items, and much more.
Browse the latest additions to see our recent finds. If you have a budget and a person in mind but cannot decide, feel free to contact us. We will gladly assist. For a little more about the shop and the people behind it, visit About Us.