When it comes to beer-related gifts, vintage and kitsch are king. Bargain shoppers can rejoice with plenty of original and exciting items to be found at reasonable prices... if you're willing to put in a little elbow grease. But thanks to the fact that we live in modern times (Take that, previous generations!), online shopping provides an easy replacement for trips to every local secondhand store in a five mile area.Idea #1: Think small. Just glancing around my apartment, I have plenty of simple beer-branded items that give me a smile. When I want to play darts, it's Miller High Life against Miller Genuine Draft. Not my favorite beers, but fun Wisconsin kitsch! Most websites that sell dart flights have beer flights available. When I open a bottle, my Brooklyn Brewery wall-mounted bottle opener is my go-to guy -- another online purchase. And tossed all over the apartment are coasters we picked up from various trips to different pubs and breweries -- a quick web search can save you the trouble of travel and have them sent right to your door. All these things are simple gifts for under $10.
Idea #2: Think wall. ...and I'm not talking tacky posters. Again, vintage and kitsch are a great way to go. Ebay is overflowing with vintage adverts, beer mirrors and even the classic neon sign, many at surprisingly reasonable rates and many with free shipping. I bet there's a young hipster in your life who would love the above Pabst neon sign!
Idea #3: Think Ebay. Beyond the above, so much other beer-branded stuff exists on Ebay that you can let your imagination run wild. Lamps, steins, Schlitz salt & pepper shakers... What more could you ask for?!
With beer-branded gifts, the search is half the fun. Just find out the favorite brewery of a friend or family member and see where Google takes you. Happy hunting!
What Can I Get You Folks? - Eating Out for Thanksgiving
In Defense of Guy Fieri
'Top Chef Vegas' - And Then There Were Five
