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We were the kids who let ourselves in after school, made our own snacks, and recorded songs off the radio with one finger on the pause button. Now we're 50-something, and honestly? We don't need more stuff. We need the right stuff.
The best gifts for Gen-X bring back a memory. A song you haven't heard in thirty years. A game you played until your thumbs hurt. Here are my favorite nostalgia gifts for the 80s and 90s kid on your list, including yourself.
Was It On Your Christmas List?
Nintendo. Cabbage Patch Kids. A BMX bike. A Rubik’s Cube. A Walkman. He-Man or G.I. Joe. A boom box. A VCR. A Members Only jacket. A stack of cassettes. How many did you get?
The good news: a lot of these are back. Here are my favorite ways to give that feeling as a gift this year.
For the One Who Still Knows Every Word
⭐ Top Pick: A suitcase record player. Crosley makes the classic portable style, and it looks great on a shelf. Pair it with one album from senior year and watch someone get misty.
Classic soundtracks on vinyl. The Breakfast Club, Footloose, Top Gun. One of these plus the record player is a complete gift. Shop 80s soundtracks on vinyl on Amazon
A portable cassette player. Yes, they still make them. Perfect for the friend with a shoebox of mixtapes in the closet. See the cassette player on Amazon
For the Arcade Kid Who Never Grew Up
⭐ Top Pick: The Atari 2600+. A remake of the console we begged for, and it plays the original cartridges. If you still have yours in the attic, this is your sign.
A countertop arcade cabinet. Arcade1Up makes Pac-Man and other classics in a size that fits a man cave or she shed. See the Pac-Man arcade on Amazon
A Tamagotchi. Remember keeping that little guy alive through a whole school day? It's back, and it's still needy. Shop Tamagotchi on Amazon
Lite-Brite and Etch A Sketch. Cheap, cheerful stocking stuffers, and great for playing with the grandkids. Shop Lite-Brite on Amazon and Shop Etch A Sketch on Amazon
The original Rubik's Cube. Bonus points if they can finally solve it. Get the original Rubik's Cube on Amazon
For the One Who Wants the Rec Room Back
An instant camera. Polaroid still makes them, and nothing beats shaking a photo at a holiday party (even though you're not supposed to). Add a pack of film. See the Polaroid camera on Amazon
A lava lamp. Instant 80s bedroom vibes. I love this one from Jambo, which comes in fun color combos like purple with pink wax. I could watch those blobs for hours, and I did. See the Jambo lamp on Amazon
A neon-style sign or retro LED light. "Totally Rad" or a cassette shape makes a fun wall piece. Shop retro neon signs on Amazon
For the Reader (or the Listener)
My favorite gift this year costs nothing up front. Audible's free trial lets you start listening right away, and these 80s memoirs are read by the people who lived them.
Brat: An '80s Story by Andrew McCarthy. The Brat Pack, from the inside, read by McCarthy himself. Listen to Brat on Audible
Stories I Only Tell My Friends by Rob Lowe. Funny, warm, and full of behind-the-scenes 80s Hollywood. Listen to Rob Lowe's memoir on Audible
⭐ Top Pick: Start your Audible free trial here and pick one of these as your first listen.
Before You Go
Need it by the holidays? If you don't have Prime, the free trial gets you fast shipping on everything above. Try Prime free for fast holiday shipping
Throwing a holiday get-together? My Totally Rad 80s & 90s Party Pack has printable invitations, games, and decorations, ready to print tonight. Check out my Printable Party Pack.
And if you want more ideas, check out my 80s & 90s Party Ideas guide.
What was your favorite or most wanted gift as a kid? Tell me in the comments. Mine was an Easy Bake Oven!
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