Top Ten Holiday Gifts of the Season at the Monticello Museum Shop!

by Monticello - December 5, 2012

In 1762, Thomas Jefferson described Christmas as the “day of greatest mirth and jollity.”

During this special holiday season, share the genius of Jefferson and Monticello with the people on your gift list! The Monticello Museum Shop has a gift for every age, style, and budget—ranging from a Tulip Poplar Heirloom Hobby Horse to a book selection of more than 250 titles.

BOOKS—Offering more than 250 titles—including one of the most comprehensive selections of Jefferson-related books available anywhere and numerous new titles such as Pulitzer Prize-winner, Jon Meacham’s Thomas Jefferson: The Art of Power; designer Charlotte Moss’s A Visual Life; and Monticello’s former Director of Gardens and Grounds, Peter Hatch’s A Rich Spot of Earth.

MONTICELLO STEMWARE—These glasses, with their clean forms and exquisite engraving, speak volumes about Jefferson’s taste for fine design. Jefferson purchased a great deal of glassware between 1767 and 1821, but very little survives. The Monticello Museum Shop stemware, based on a rare original, is mouth-blown full lead crystal, cut and etched by hand with a sprig and wheel band. Slight variations among the glasses are hallmarks of handmade glass. Stemware offered in water, wine, champagne, and cordial glasses.

JEFFERSON CUPS—In 1810, when Jefferson commissioned a silversmith to make eight cups from his own design, he probably never imagined how popular they would become. The Monticello Museum Shop reproductions are the official Jefferson cups licensed by Monticello and made in the United States. Exquisitely simple, extremely versatile they are as suitable for serving a festive punch as they are for holding cufflinks or paper clips. Gift boxed. Monogramming available.

TULIP POPLAR AND MAPLE —Take home a piece of Monticello! These exquisite handmade bowls and gifts are handcrafted by Virginia artists from the wood of the magnificent Tulip Poplar and Maple trees removed from Monticello. The bowls come in various sizes.

STARR HILL'S MONTICELLO RESERVE ALE—Inspired by what was produced and consumed regularly at Monticello, Starr Hill’s Monticello Reserve Ale is made from a combination of wheat and corn, lightly hopped. (Available in store.)

MONTICELLO COPPER LANTERN—This exciting three-sided lantern, designed for Monticello, is the same one used to illuminate pathways and porches during our evening programs. Completely handcrafted, it features a mirrored back to double the light output, a hinged lid that hooks shut and a large hanging loop. Outside, it weathers to a lovely patina. Indoors, it creates an elegantly rustic ambience.

FOSSILIZED ART POTTERY—Made by a local artist, the designs on these beautiful dishes are created using the flowers and herbs from the garden at Monticello. (Available in store.)

TULIP POPLAR HEIRLOOM HOBBY HORSE—We know Jefferson loved horses. Might he also have ridden a hobby or stick horse? In a letter, he mentioned his granddaughter Anne, “…with whom even Socrates might ride on a stick horse without being ridiculous.” An instant heirloom, the head of this classic toy is carved from wood harvested from a majestic Tulip Poplar tree that shaded Monticello for almost 200 years. The stick is made from birch. Each limited-edition horse is outfitted with leather reins, laser-engraved, and numbered. Ages 3 and up.

MONTICELLO MUSICAL SNOW GLOBE—Monticello is beautiful after a new snow. Our highly collectible snow globe is an accurate three dimensional view of the home of Thomas Jefferson. The semicircular globe sits on a faux wood resin base. The snow globe plays Mozart's Eline Kleine Nachtmusik, a song well known to Jefferson.