30 Nostalgic Gifts That Bring Back the Best Memories

Woodsy the Owl ads ran in the 70s and 80s, and his message was drilled into kids' heads. If your gift recipient loves the outdoors and is passionate about keeping them clean, they'll love this vintage-inspired T-shirt. Per the brand, 10% of proceeds go to Leave No Trace, an organization dedicated to promoting conservation in the outdoors. Available in sizes unisex S-XXL

How is this still an under-$5 fidget toy? Kids and adults alike enjoy the soothing feeling of "pouring" the metal spring from one hand to another. And Slinky can walk down stairs (though not as well as it did in the old commercials). This is a small one, just under 3 inches in diameter; a 5-inch plastic version in bright colors is a couple of dollars more, but note that it goes in and out of stock. Ages 5+

Back in the 70s everyone in my family did latch-hook crafts — me, my mom and even my dad. It was relaxing to hook rugs, pillows or wall hangings while watching TV in the evenings. I love this one out now: a DIY smiling strawberry pillow. Ages 6+

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When it comes to candy nostalgia, we all have different childhood favorites, but these really send me back. My Nan always had "fruit slices" just like these. They taste like citrus with a whole bunch of sugar.

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The rounded sides and chunky build of this boombox looks so much like one my cousin and I both had in the 80s! This one, though, can play your CDs and cassettes, but it's also a Bluetooth speaker and an AM/FM radio.

Some people hunt down old Libbey glasses (they've been around in different designs for more than a century) but this collection is the company's vintage-looking set of 11-ounce glasses. Very grandma chic!

For the Disney adult, Steamboat Willie represents the start of it all, Mickey Mouse's first movie role. What's cool about this Precious Moments gift is that it's a forever calendar — you change the date daily, and the month monthly.

This goes way, way back, to the 1940s. My dad still fondly remembers the Dodgers as being from Brooklyn, and he's one of many baseball fans who loves to wear the original Brooklyn Dodgers B on a cap in an "IYKYK" kind of way.

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Millennial nostalgia time: My youngest cousin grew up watching Golden Girls in the late 80s and early 90s and would adore this pop-up card and its "Thank you for being a friend" message.

Christmas nostalgia is a whole other category. Gift them the old-fashioned look of bubble lights with moving liquid inside. This is a six-foot strand with seven bulbs.

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If they were around in 1975 — and especially if they're turning 50 — this book should fascinate your loved one with stories and pictures of newsworthy events, cultural touchstones and celebrity moments in that year.

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Gotta love The Pioneer Woman's nostalgic aesthetic! The pattern on this adorably retro stoneware candy dish is called Painted Meadows. A message pained on the inside says, "Life is Sweet."

This game has been out forever (or, to be precise, 1948) and this version is good and nostalgic, with the classic game board and wooden tiles. Ages 8+

I have this coffee-table book at home and I think it's beautiful. If you know someone who loves the Woodstock era of music — Bob Dylan, The Band, Jimi Hendrix, Joan Baez — this makes a cool gift.

Any of us who played with a Strawberry Shortcake can still vividly remember her red hair and her scent. This T-shirt is a sweet throwback, and even shows Custard the cat. Available in men's, women's and youth sizes, S to 6X

While it looks like a wooden barrel on the outside, there's a big old motor on the inside for making homemade ice cream or gelato in about a half hour.

They look old-school but these modern, indoor gripper-sole slippers from Bombas are incredibly popular, judging by the thousands of reviews. Available in sizes S to XL

Get your kicks! This 12 x 12-inch wall or shelf decor will look cool anywhere, and is an affordably simple nod to Americana.

Goetze's started making Cow Tales candy in the 80s and never stopped, but fans are nostalgic for them anyway, because they are hard to find outside of Maryland and its surrounding states. The brand's caramel creams have been around even longer, and you can order those, too!

The Then and Now book series uses photographs to take people back to the old days of major cities. This Las Vegas book gets many five-star reviews but there are also dozens of volumes on other cities including Chicago, Detroit, Hollywood and Brooklyn.