Top 10 Gift Guide
It's been a long tough year, but with Christmas fast approaching you have the chance to banish the COVID blues. Watch the eyes of your loved ones light up with glee when they open a box from Arms and Armor. Will it be a sword? An axe? How about a halberd! Here are our top suggestions for a gift your loved one will really, really want.
1. Be the Best Santa Ever
'I got my boyfriend a sword' - yep you just jumped to spot #1 on the best girlfriend, boyfriend, husband, wife, crazy uncle, or whatever list. We have a few sharp and training swords in stock, but not many, so act fast. Order early to guarantee delivery by Christmas/Hanukkah/Festivus or your holiday of choice. We have consulted the shipping elves and they recommend the 10th of December at the latest. If you order a custom sword or one not in stock we will send you a lovely little gift box containing a tiny little sword and a description of the item as a surprise you can present in style.
2. Yule love this axe!
Our Dane Axe will vanquish any little bits of seasonal affective disorder your loved might be experiencing. In fact, we have a whole list of Viking-era weapons for the berserker on your gift list.
Dane Axe and a Yule feast.
3. A Gift Fit for a Prince (whichever one)
When Edward the Black Prince celebrated the holidays, he did it 14th century style with wassails and a traditional afternoon invasion of France. But few people know that it was his mighty sword that allowed him to defeat the most vicious foe of the century, the Black Death. That's right, we guarantee that owning a Black Prince sword will protect you from all plagues. When brandished appropriately it will keep any disease vector at a safe distance. Be safe and get one for somebody in your household.
4. Nordland Axe-mas Surprise!
Handy around the hearth or trekking to the pole this lovely belt axe will make eyes open wide when the wrapping comes off. Just imagine the surprise and delight when your little (or not so little) warrior opens this gift! You can even kind of jam it into a stocking as long as you're very, very careful!
5. Javelins, Javelins, Javelins all the way!
Put a bow around a few of these and you will have some seriously happy campers. Throwing these petite spears is super fun, great for hand eye coordination, and an excellent outdoor activity for the socially distanced family.
Javelin and Greek Javelin
6. German Flail
This knight-crushing weapon sometimes mistakenly called a "morning star" does, in fact, closely resemble that big old star on top of your Christmas tree. Especially if you squint a little... Sing "O Tannenbaum" and celebrate your holidays in the Medieval German style. See below for a scientific and completely conclusive comparison between the stars.
7. Type L Fighting Axe
8. The Medici Dagger
This dagger is modeled on those popular in Italy during the 16th century, which is precisely the time of the greatest power of the Medici family. In fact, Pope Leo X, the son of Lorenzo de Medici, would totally have given you a plenary indulgence for buying this.
Pope Leo X says "The Medici Dagger is the perfect Christmas gift"
9. Cavalier Rapier
Though the original Cavaliers were neither here nor there when it comes to the holiday spirit, Cavalier King Charles Spaniels totally love wearing merry hats. This alone makes the Cavalier Rapier a wonderful gift for sword or dog lovers on your list.
10. A&A Gift Certificate
One of our most popular options for a gift is the A&A Gift Certificate. Its an excellent way to give a variety of amounts or a specific piece for someones collection even if it is not in stock. We will work with you to get a customized certificate to present and a small gift for under the tree. There are some preset amounts on our webpage to purchase certificates and we are happy to do ones to your specific needs. Just drop us a note here aa@arms-n-armor.com
So if you just can't decide, or you have no idea what to get them, this is the answer! Get a gift certificate and if you order one prior to Dec 15th we will send you a miniature sword in a lovely little box for them to open on Christmas morning.
Nathan Clough, Ph.D. is Vice President of Arms and Armor and a member of the governing board of The Oakeshott Institute. He is a historical martial artist and a former university professor of cultural geography. He has given presentations on historical arms at events including Longpoint and Combatcon, and presented scholarly papers at, among others, The International Congress on Medieval Studies.
Craig Johnson is the Production Manager of Arms and Armor and Secretary of The Oakeshott Institute. He has taught and published on the history of arms, armor and western martial arts for over 30 years. He has lectured at several schools and Universities, WMAW, HEMAC, 4W, and ICMS at Kalamazoo. His experiences include iron smelting, jousting, theatrical combat instruction and choreography, historical research, European martial arts and crafting weapons and armor since 1985.