13 Timeless Gifts You Could Have Bought in 1987 (and Still Use Today)
Not another gift guide – this is a treasure chest
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In the spirit of the season, I’m going a bit off-topic—although I think this list will appeal to all the founders, creatives, and non-techies who read me. This is an anti-trend gift guide. Shopping for someone? Someone who values quality, durability, and timeless style?
Here's a list of useful products that could have been purchased in 1987 and would still be cherished—and fully functional—today. Think generational staples or coveted thrift-store finds. Just because they last doesn’t mean they’ll break the bank. Prices range from $18 to $499.
These are well-loved objects that have been in my life (via my parents or grandparents) since before the ’80s. I can vouch for every single one.
1. The Lifetime Bag 👜
LL Bean Boat and Tote XL
Sturdy, iconic, and endlessly useful. Perfect for grocery hauls, weekend trips, or everyday carry. Bonus points for monogramming. See also, Your Old L.L.Bean Tote Bag May Now Be Worth Hundreds of Dollars, Country Living
Price: $45 (new) or $206 (vintage)
2. The Ultimate Cast Iron 🥘
Le Creuset Dutch Oven
An investment that’s worth it. This bold and beautiful quality piece handles soups, stews, and sourdough with ease—for decades.
Price: $260
3. The Eternal Book ✏️
The Elements of Style by Strunk & White (Illustrated by Maira Kalman)
A timeless writing guide, now updated with whimsical illustrations by Maira Kalman. I first read it in high school, and it’s still burned into my brain. The new illustrated version only deepens my love for it.
Price: $18
4. The Indestructible Tools 🇨🇭
Swiss Army Knife – The Huntsman
A classic multi-tool ready for anything, from slicing an apple to fixing a bike.
Price: $52
5. The Durable Audio 📻
Sony ICF-P27 Portable Radio with Speaker and AM/FM Tuner
Perfect for enjoying the analog sound of talk radio or your favorite station. Listen, when the climate is changing you’re going to want a battery powered radio.
Price: $25
6. The Forever Camera 📸
Pentax K1000 35mm SLR Film Camera
Beloved by photographers for its simplicity and durability. The standard issue high-school yearbook camera throughout the 70s, 80s, 90s.
Price: $499
7. The Lifetime Coat 🏔
Patagonia Down Sweater
Lightweight, durable, and when styled-well, well, stylish. I’ve had mine for years, and it’s still my go-to. Millions of tech bros can’t be wrong—and honestly, they’re not. (Pro tip: The men’s cut is clean and roomy.)
Price: $279
8. The Perennial Thermos 🍵
Stanley Classic Legendary Vacuum Food Jar
Keeps food hot or cold for hours. Growing up, we’d fill this with chicken noodle soup or hot chocolate. My dad never went winter weather steelhead fishing on the St. Lawrence River (on the boarder of NY State and Canada, read: very cold) without it.
Price: $36
9. The Chip-to-Storage Pipeline 🥔
Charles Chips Tin – Original Recipe
What starts as a tin of delicious chips becomes a lifelong storage solution for cookies, craft supplies, or whatever else needs safekeeping. My Grammie brought this tin to every camping trip, filled with greasy cornflake cookies. I didn’t even taste the chips until my brother gifted me a tin last year.
Price: $34
10. The Creative Legacy 🎨
Caran d’Ache Supracolor Tin Set of 40
Soft aquarelle pencils that combine watercolor and drawing. Perfect for artists ready to hibernate and create all winter long.
Price: $68
11. The Magazine Subscription 📖
The Giver’s Choice
Give the gift of ongoing inspiration with a subscription to a classic magazine like New York Magazine, Vanity Fair, Vogue, The New Yorker, Architectural Digest, or National Geographic.
Price: ~$20/year
12. The Red Wool Blanket ❤️🔥
Oshki Wupoowane Scarlet Point Blanket
Once a trade staple, this Hudson’s Bay blanket now carries a deeper story. All net proceeds go to Indigenous Peoples through The Blanket Fund.
Price: $300
13. The Coffee Mug ☕️
Bennington Pottery Trigger Mug in Blue Agate
A friend tipped me off to a treasure trove of vintage Bennington Pottery at a thrift shop in Murray Hill. (He had no more room in his kitchen.) I’ve been in love with this Blue Agate pattern ever since.
Price: $24 each
This guide isn’t about what’s flashy or trendy—it’s about what lasts and good design. These gifts are investments in the tools, comforts, and creative sparks that stand the test of time.
Which one do you want on your wish-list? Which one do you plan on giving?
Love this—so clever and good. It’s a gift in itself 🎁💕