For holiday shoppers seeking meaningful, nostalgic gifts, few things beat a classic card or board game. Games are more than just entertainment—they bring friends and family together, evoking memories of past holidays. This season, explore each decade’s most iconic game, ending with a fresh new choice that channels vintage charm: Kingdoms by Game Afternoon. Discover why these vintage card games make perfect holiday gifts and enjoy a trip down memory lane!
1930s: Monopoly
During the Great Depression, Americans needed an escape, and Monopoly offered a world of prosperity and power. Released in 1935 by Parker Brothers, Monopoly quickly became a family staple, allowing players to buy, trade, and develop properties while aiming to bankrupt their opponents.
The game’s classic board, iconic tokens, and competitive mechanics make it a perfect vintage gift for collectors and nostalgic game lovers. Today, vintage editions or retro-styled reprints make a thoughtful holiday gift, honoring a game that defined an era.
Looking for a vintage game to gift this holiday? Check out this retro edition of Monopoly for a timeless classic!
1940s: Rook
Rook has origins dating back to 1906 but saw a resurgence in the 1940s, especially in rural American homes. Designed as an alternative to traditional playing cards, Rook is a trick-taking game where players aim to win rounds by collecting high-scoring cards. Its signature twist is the Rook card—a wild card that can change the outcome of each round.
With its unique gameplay and iconic bird card, Rook is a vintage favorite that remains accessible to players of all ages. Finding a classic Rook deck makes a special gift, capturing the spirit of early 20th-century family game nights.
While they don't make vintage editions of Rook any more, the game is still alive and thriving! Give the gift of nostalgia with a classic Rook card deck this holiday season!
1950s: Canasta
The 1950s introduced the U.S. to Canasta, a partnership card game originally from Uruguay that quickly became a favorite for its blend of skill and luck. Canasta involves melding cards to accumulate points, with a focus on team strategy and coordinated play, making it ideal for competitive players.
For vintage game lovers, Canasta offers mid-century charm. Collectible Canasta decks, often in retro designs, make an ideal gift, especially for families who enjoy classic card games with layers of strategy.
1960s: Uno
Uno, although launched in 1971, embodies the simplicity and fun that defined family game nights of the late 1960s and early ’70s. Uno’s fast-paced gameplay has players matching colors and numbers to clear their hands, while action cards like “Skip” and “Reverse” add to the excitement.
Vintage Uno sets or retro-style decks bring a nostalgic touch to the table and are ideal for a wide age range. As a gift, Uno is fun, quick to learn, and endlessly replayable—perfect for family gatherings during the holidays.
Mattel stills sells a "retro edition" of Uno. It would make a perfect stocking stuffer this holiday season.
Get Retro Uno
1970s: Mille Bornes
Originally from France, Mille Bornes found an international following in the 1970s. This charming road-race card game pits players against each other as they race to reach 1,000 miles while handling hazards like flat tires and red lights. Mille Bornes offers a delightful mix of luck and strategy, making it both engaging and accessible.
Vintage editions of Mille Bornes bring retro artwork and French flair to game night, making them ideal holiday gifts for those seeking unique vintage card games with a European touch.
Gift the charm of a French road-race game with a Mille Bornes deck, perfect for a nostalgic gaming stocking stuffer.
1980s: Trivial Pursuit
Trivial Pursuit took the 1980s by storm as a trivia game designed for knowledge buffs and pop culture enthusiasts alike. In Trivial Pursuit, players answer questions across categories like History, Entertainment, and Sports to collect wedges, with the first player to complete their piece declared the winner.
A vintage Trivial Pursuit set—especially with its original 1980s question cards—makes an excellent gift for trivia fans and those looking to relive the decade’s biggest trends and cultural moments.
Get Trivial Pursuit: Classic Edition
1990s: Magic: The Gathering
1993 brought the release of Magic: The Gathering, the world’s first collectible card game. This game introduced players to a fantasy realm where they could use spells, summon creatures, and wield artifacts in battle. Magic’s blend of fantasy, strategy, and collectible elements made it an instant classic among both gamers and collectors.
Vintage Magic sets or individual cards have high collectible value, and a well-chosen Magic gift is ideal for both longtime players and newcomers interested in exploring the origins of collectible card games.
Get the Magic the Gathering starter kit
2000s: Apples to Apples
The early 2000s saw the rise of Apples to Apples, a fun and casual card game where players match nouns to adjectives in creative or funny ways. With its easy-to-understand rules and emphasis on humor, Apples to Apples became a favorite at parties and family gatherings.
A vintage edition of Apples to Apples offers a nostalgic reminder of early 2000s party games, making it a great gift for Millennials or any family that loves a game night with plenty of laughs.
2010s: Codenames
Released in 2015, Codenames became an instant classic, blending wordplay with strategy as players attempt to locate “secret agents” based on one-word clues. The simplicity of its design and the deep challenge of the gameplay made it a modern favorite.
While not as vintage as other games, Codenames board are perfect for fans of deduction and teamwork games. Codenames has cemented itself as a family-friendly option for holiday gatherings, making it a gift worth giving.
2020s: Kingdoms
While new to the game scene, Kingdoms by Game Afternoon has vintage charm that makes it ideal for anyone searching for a unique and nostalgic-feeling gift. This game combines classic strategy elements with a historical theme, allowing players to take on roles as iconic figures with special abilities. Despite its strategic depth, Kingdoms is easy to learn, taking only about 5 minutes to understand, and it’s accessible to players of all ages.
Kingdoms’ carefully crafted artwork and unique theme give it a vintage feel, making it a great holiday choice for both families and game collectors. Its blend of classic mechanics with a fresh design evokes the charm of games from the past, while still offering something exciting and new for today’s players.
And those are the best vintage games to gift this holiday season!
This holiday season, explore the charm of vintage card games. Each game on this list captures the spirit of its decade while bringing joy to players of all ages. From classics like Monopoly and Canasta to modern favorites like Kingdoms, these games make thoughtful gifts for those who value nostalgia, quality time, and timeless fun.
Explore Kingdoms and other classic-inspired games for vintage card game gifts this holiday season!
