Vintage Christmas Decorations
Hey y’all! Today, I am sharing a few of my favorite vintage Christmas decorations. Then, telling you where I find vintage inspired decor, when I can’t find the real deal. Lastly, I have lots of ideas to use traditional decor and furniture to create a vintage inspired look for the holidays.
Vintage Christmas Decorations
So, I’ve rounded up the most popular kinds of vintage Christmas decorations, below. Consequently, this list has me thinking… did everyone’s grandparents have a lighted, ceramic Christmas tree? I know that mine did.
- Bottlebrush or tinsel trees
- Handmade stockings with felt, embroidery, needlepoint, beading
- Lit ceramic Christmas trees
- Putz cardboard houses
- Vintage, mercury glass, & Shiny Brite ornaments
- Retro holiday images, figurines, postcards or signs
- Christmas, jingle and sleigh bells
- Bubble lights or candle lights
- Nutcrackers, train sets and snow globes
- Holiday china, glassware and Santa mugs
You can look for real vintage Christmas decorations at antique stores, junk shops and vintage markets. However, you can find vintage resellers online at Etsy or Ebay.
My favorite Christmas antique find is a set of hand painted Santa mugs and punch bowl that my mother in law and I spotted at Cedar Chest Antique Mall outside Waco, Texas. Instantly, it reminded me of the ones that my husband’s grandmother owned and used every Christmas Eve. Therefore, the charming Santa face, perfect for homemade hot cocoa, made its way home with me.
Vintage Inspired Decor
In addition, vintage inspired decor, while not actually vintage, is an affordable option, too. Most home decor stores, like Hobby Lobby, Kirkland’s or Warmart offer some kind of vintage, retro or farmhouse inspired Christmas decor.
For example, the retro Santa placemats are from Hester and Cook, who make paper accents for tables. Even though, the postcards are reproduction prints, I styled them in vintage ‘flower frogs.’
Decorator’s Warehouse
Last year, I visited Decorator’s Warehouse, with over 60,000 square feet of holiday finds and 20 beautifully decorated trees. After seeing lots of inspiration, I decorated a vintage inspired coastal Christmas tree in my home.
These are a few vintage inspired pieces from Decorator’s Warehouse. For example, I styled the large jingle bells on my Christmas tree and tied a few to the fire place mantle garland, too. Lastly, I linked a few vintage reproduction favorites, like bubble lights and Grandma’s lit ceramic tree, if you have been on the hunt for those.
- Tin jingle bells in 3 sizes 2. Vintage inspired bell tree 3. Bottle brush tree in jar 4. Bubble lights 5. Lit ceramic tree 6 LED water globe
Antique Farmhouse
In addition, Antique Farmhouse has an amazing selection of farmhouse style home decor, including vintage Christmas decorations. I love to shop there for lanterns, candlesticks & candles to add a little twinkle during the holidays. Here are a few that I love: 1. Chippy candlesticks 2. Clip on Candlesticks 3. Pinecone candles 4.Stripe Pillows 5. Galvanized Tray 6. Decorative oil lamps
1 Candlesticks 
2. Clip on Candles 
3. Pinecone Candles
4. Striped Pillow 5. Tiered Tray 
6. Oil Lamps
Plus, Antique Farmhouse has a variety of architectural wall decor, like the lattice window that I have which is perfect for layering artwork or signs year round.
Traditional Antique Furniture + Vintage Decor
Honestly, I do not have many original vintage Christmas decorations. However, I do love the charm and nostalgic feel that vintage pieces provide into a home. Often, if you integrate traditional antique furniture or vintage finds with newer Christmas decor, you can still achieve the look that vintage Christmas decorations bring into your home.
- Silver platters, vases or bowls
- Wooden sleds, sleighs, skis, ice skates or rocking horses
- Brass or copper – candlesticks, bells, pots
- Architectural finds – gates, spindles, corbels, chippy fireplace mantles, frames
- Wooden crates, old baskets, enamel buckets, postal boxes
- Natural elements – fresh greenery, pinecones, antlers, dried fruit
- Simple gift wrap – plain or brown paper, ticking stripe or gingham ribbon, sprigs of greenery or stamped tags
- Lanterns – decorative, candle or vintage railroad
A fresh greenery wreath, from Lynch Creek farms, and art hang over a chippy gate. Next, a sled that a neighbor had given me when I was about 12 years old always makes its way into my Christmas decor. I guess I have always found the charm in vintage things. Basically, I love the juxtaposition of new and old, shiny and chippy together.
I found a reproduction wood and red sled, here and galvanized tabletop sleighs, here.
Ideas to Mix Vintage with New or Reproduction
A few years ago, I bought this amazing, light blue antique fireplace mantle with the original mirrored insert. By simply adding glass trees, which have the look of antique mercury glass, and winter greens, this display had so much character.
One of my favorite ways to display a wreath, is layering it over an antique mirror, chalkboard or architectural find. Therefore, you can add charm typically found in an older home by mixing new with older pieces.
In addition, it is a great way to show off any collections or family heirlooms. Below right, the writing desk belonged to my husband’s grandmother. So, it is one of our family’s most beloved heirlooms. It is flanked by a wall of vintage silver platters that my mother in law and I collected from antique shops, and handmade stockings for each family member.
Vintage Copper and Silver
Now, for an onslaught of holiday vignettes featuring my collection of vintage inspired or vintage Christmas decorations. Notice, the combination of copper, silver and gold. When used together, it’s hard to distinguish between new and vintage pieces. In addition, the miniature velvety reindeer are only a few years old, but have the vintage look that I love. Especially, when displayed with retro Santa Claus.
I love that bottle brush trees have gained popularity in recent years. It’s fun to add to my collection and mix the different styles. While I do not have any original putz cardboard houses, these reproduction ones were an affordable option about 8 years ago. Often, I will add one to a styled tray, or display the entire collection into one village. The newer houses include a battery operated light, so it’s a beautiful display at night, too.
Gingham Checks and Ticking Stripes
Another way to achieve a vintage look during the holidays is to use simple gift wrap. For example, wrap gifts with brown Kraft paper or solid colored wrapping paper. Then, tie packages with velvet, satin, or patterned ribbons which can be reused year after year. For a fun detail, tuck in sprigs of fresh greenery or hand stamped gift tags to each bow.
Patterns, like ticking stripes and gingham checks pair well together and add a farmhouse or vintage feel. Consider using it in gift wrap, textiles like pillows and table linens or paint stripes on the back of a cabinet. Finally, check out more of this blue and white winter table, shown below.
I hope you enjoyed learning how I use vintage Christmas decorations in my home. If you are new, and love home decor tips, simple DIYS, easy recipes and life in Waco, Texas, subscribe to the blog, here. Lastly, I appreciate any shares on Facebook or Pinterest so others can get inspired, too.
