Antique and Vintage Gift Ideas in Bellingham

These days, you can’t swing an elf without hitting a holiday gift guide, offering “perfect” gift ideas for everyone on Santa's nice list. They typically feature shiny new things—which makes sense, because most folks like to find shiny new things under the tree. But not everyone does! We all have friends and family members who appreciate the not-so-new: the antique, the vintage and the gently used. And where better to shop for them than at one of Bellingham’s many antique shops? Peruse my list of gift getters below and see if you recognize anyone. Or, use it for inspiration to expand your gift giving routine beyond slippers, scarves and sweets. Then head out antiquing—it's a fun way to spend an hour or an entire day. And you're practically guaranteed to find something unique and awesome for a friend, your family or yourself, because antiques are for everyone.   Maybe you'll run across one of my all-time favorite Christmas gifts: an old iron squirrel nutcracker from Penny Lane Antique Mall, which currently graces my fireplace.  

An Antique Holiday Gift Guide

For the history buff: Reproduction sculptures (Diamond), vintage maps, old phone directories (The Spotted Pig) For the collector: vintage soda pop and medicine bottles, coins and pens For the student: Globes, maps (Penny Lane) For the aspiring novelist: Antique typewriter, desk, chair, vintage novels For the musician: Guitars, amps, sheet music (Aladdin's) For music lovers: Turntable, speakers and vinyl records to start the collection (Aladdin's) [caption id="attachment_21613" align="alignleft" width="600"] Top: Ol' Blue Eyes on vinyl, a fraction of Aladdin's record department, old 78s. Bottom: Extensive jazz on vinyl, guitars, more records. Aladdin's Antiques[/caption] For jazz lovers: Collectible 78s, vinyl albums, vintage books For the cocktail king or queen: Vintage barware, glasses, shakers (The Spotted Pig) For he or she who likes to dress-up: Vintage hats, suspenders, antique stoles, vintage clothes and jewelry (Penny Lane) For the party girl: Beaded purses, shawls, pearls, fancy hats For the electronics buff: Antique radios, old light bulbs [caption id="attachment_21622" align="alignnone" width="350"] Antique radio. The Spotted Pig[/caption] For the kitschy: Vintage kitchen accessories, salt-and-pepper shakers, Pyrex bowls (Penny Lane) For the business person: Antique paperweights, coffee mugs For the home decorator: Prints, lamps, chandeliers (Diamond) [caption id="attachment_21612" align="alignnone" width="600"] Clockwise from upper left: Carved elephant chair (yes, and it's part of a set), crystal (or crystal-like) chandelier, Moulin Rouge print, horse and buggy.Diamond Antiques[/caption] For the gardener: Vintage planters and garden tools For the crafter: Vintage buttons, sweaters (for the yarn), doilies (Penny Lane) For young kids: Well-loved toys, board games from yesteryear, vintage lunchbox, a doll house (The Spotted Pig) For the vintage Christmas lover: Antique ornaments, tinsel, garlands, albums, stockings, decorations (Penny Lane) [caption id="attachment_21614" align="alignnone" width="600"] Clockwise from upper left: antique glass ornaments, elf stocking hangers (Cute or creepy? You decide.), Assorted vintage Christmas items, vintage greeting cards. Penny Lane Antique Mall[/caption]   For the new apartment or house: Vintage dishes, cookware, furniture, home decor (below from The Spotted Pig)

Bellingham and  Whatcom County Antique Shops

Vintage 360 312 W Holly St Bellingham, Washington 98225 360-738-6040 American Antiques 360-650-9037 2330 Elm St Bellingham, WA 98225 Diamond Antiques 1806 Cornwall Ave. Bellingham, WA 98225 360-676-9100 [caption id="attachment_21611" align="alignnone" width="600"] Clockwise from top left: etched glass on marble, antique hobby horse, oak-framed mirror/hatrack, reproduction Remington sculpture. Diamond Antiques[/caption] Penny Lane Antique Mall 427 West Holly Street Bellingham, Washington 98225 360-671-3301 Aladdin’s Antiques and Records (Below Penny Lane) 360-647-0066 Fairhaven Antique Mall  1201 11th Street Bellingham, Washington 98225 360-922-7165 The Spotted Pig Antiques, Vintage & Home Decor 1941 Lake Whatcom Blvd. Bellingham, Washington 98228 360-656-5010 Below, Antique spools and doctor's satchel from The Spotted Pig Etta’s Attic Antique Mall 2009 Main St. Ferndale, Washington 98248 360-734-1900 Horseshoe Coins & Antiques 810 Peace Portal Dr. Blaine, Washington 98230 360-332-1870 More Than Antiques 400 Front St. Lynden, Washington 98264 360-354-7576 McKay's Variety and Antiques 2036 Main St. Ferndale, Washington 98248 360-933-1174 K's Antiques and Collectibles  5452 Northwest Dr. Bellingham, Washington 98226 360-384-6731 I-5 Antique Mall & Auction Gallery 4744 Pacific Highway Bellingham, Washington 98226 360-384-5955