Today, few people are deprived of technology—it’s everywhere and follows us even in devices that seemingly have nothing left to improve. Yet, well-known brands of various gadgets still brag about "marketing" terms like carbon-neutral products or AI-enhanced designs, among others.

Perhaps that's why technically savvy people, and honestly, not just them, choose devices where only the production date on the box indicates its modernity (maybe a couple of convenient features too). However, its design still looks familiar to the eye. I'm talking about a love for retro style that doesn't fade with the years and about outfitting your home with retro devices or classic-style tech. Even if you’re around 20, you’ll definitely appreciate a retro-style keyboard, reminiscent of the one your parents had at your age.

That's why I decided to put together a list of devices that will appeal to fans of classic design, especially with the holidays coming, as many are already starting to choose gifts for Thanksgiving and Christmas. So, are you looking for a gift for this year's holiday season? A pre-prepared list of retro devices will come in handy, especially ahead of this year's Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales.

Retro kitchen appliances often combine functionality with style, making them a great vintage holiday gift idea. Many manufacturers focus on blending these attributes effectively. During my extensive preparation for writing this article, I spent a lot of time researching and finding appliances from manufacturers, some of which have a rich history of producing kitchen devices since the 1950s. Large appliances like refrigerators and stoves are typically chosen during the design phase of a room or a renovation. However, when it comes to gifts for Thanksgiving or Christmas, breakfast or lunch appliances can further highlight the retro style of your relatives' or friends' kitchens and make for perfect gifts. Vintage holiday gift ideas

A small toaster with a 1950s design will seamlessly join the stylish kitchen team, enhancing its overall look. It features 7 browning levels and 3 functions: reheat, defrost, and cancel, along with stainless steel elements and a removable crumb tray—simple, vintage style, and functional for a perfect morning.

In the past, hot dog cookers might have seemed like torture devices, and some people now make videos of 70s gadgets with a humorous warning "Do not try this at home." But take a look at this family-sized Retro Series hot dog toaster by Nostalgia. It features chrome accents, and holds 4 hot dogs and buns. Remove your hot dogs with the included hot dog cage and mini tongs. A drip tray makes cleaning easy after toasting—a very suitable nostalgic gift for a stylish kitchen.

The history of microwaves dates back to the post-war 1940s, but mass production began in the 1960s when not all models were compact and their prices were extremely high. Today, however, they are indispensable kitchen helpers. The retro microwave oven by COMFEE' with modern features like 9 preset menus, a kitchen timer, sound off function, ECO mode, LED digital display, and a chrome retro design of buttons and handles will pleasantly surprise your friends.

When you're looking for nostalgic kitchen appliances you can't go past this brand. SMEG began producing under this brand at a time when aesthetics were paramount, and it continues to ride this wave today. A delightful device for family morning coffee, it makes an appreciated holiday gift. The drip coffee maker features a 10-cup carafe, auto-start function, warming plate, and two coffee strength settings.

A workspace or gaming desk always invites additional decorations because it has enough space, and fanatics of classic style skillfully combine modern productivity computer monsters with retro devices. Therefore, a desktop retro clock, an extra screen, or a keyboard will always be a great option. Check out these options of holiday vintage electronics as a gift idea.

8BitDo continually updates its lineup of retro mechanical gaming keyboards, and the C64 Edition has a unique charm. It's compatible with Windows and Android, connecting via Bluetooth, 2.4G wireless, or wired. Compact, with two customizable Dual Super buttons and a Super Stick, your gamer friends will surely appreciate this keyboard in the style of the 1982 8-bit computer.

A modern keyboard inspired by old typewriters, crafted with genuine leather and wood, features round mechanical vintage keys with backlighting that are tactile and "clicky," reminiscent of antique typewriters. It can connect via wired (USB) or wireless (Bluetooth) in PC or Mac mode. With an adjustable tilt angle and easy charging, it's a perfect gift for geeks and retro lovers.

Divoom has always excelled in the design of its devices, that is exactly why users love them. These small (and not only) pixel art screens with FM speakers create a 90s classic vibe right next to your keyboard. Divoom Tivoo-2 also enhances productivity by displaying custom pixel images, a clock, or even a Pomodoro timer on the screen. This small TV looks great not only on a gamer's or work desk but also on a bedroom nightstand or next to the full-size TV.

I've often included the Divoom Times Gate in lists of interesting devices because it truly deserves it. This Cyberpunk-style clock with 5 screens is highly customizable: receive social media notifications, view real-time weather, and sports scores, or create custom screens. You can even set unique colors and fonts for the digital clock with a retro feel. Looking for a stylish, modern gadget for your home? Consider this masterpiece.

When talking about old-school devices, the first thing that comes to mind is all sorts of music players: radios, record players, or cassette and disc boomboxes. It's great that designs from the '80s and '90s inspired many manufacturers to create music devices today. 

A personal jukebox would undoubtedly suit the home of a retro device enthusiast. While large floor-standing models might pose placement challenges, a tabletop such as a radio receiver with Bluetooth and a CD Player from Crosley exudes classic elegance. Vintage audio equipment from the 50s or earlier is a great gift for a retro-themed holiday party.

Although boomboxes have hardly changed their rounded shapes for decades, I still think the old-school style of the '80s such the next one. The Sound Station by Studebaker is truly a multi-device that plays cassettes, CDs, and radio, and even connects via Bluetooth (with input and output for headphones, for example) to any device. It also has an Aux input and output. The "highlight" of this retro boombox is its ability to record onto a cassette from all available sources: CD, BT, radio, and so on. The final touch of perfection is its stereo sound and portability, thanks to the built-in battery.

Finding classic headphones for music lovers isn't that easy, but just imagine the joy they’ll bring when you gift them during the holidays. Here are two options to consider.

Professional studio headphones from Sony are not only suitable for sound engineers and musicians. Anyone who loves high-quality audio will appreciate MDR7506, and the classic appearance of these 40mm headphones will emphasize the individuality of a retro style enthusiast. Wired studio headphones have been a popular gift for quite some time, according to user reviews.

First introduced in 1984 as part of the limited classic series, Koss Porta Pro headphones with legendary quality bass are among the most recognizable today among audiophiles. Foldable and equipped with a microphone, the case, meets all modern needs. If you want your friends or relatives to attract attention, consider them as a gift idea. But remember, it's a limited edition.

Nostalgia will continue to dictate designs for modern devices, while technological progress will enhance the classic appearance of gadgets with its functionality. But maybe, in the future, on Black Friday and Cyber Monday in 2074, when our kids or grandkids might be chatGPTing (I mean future searching, emoji smile) for retro gadgets as gifts for Thanksgiving, them might be offered an iMac M4-style TV or a Model Y-style wall clock.