Vintage Christmas Decorations - Timeless Holiday Decor

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Vintage Glass Finial Tree Toppers

brightly colored vintage tree finials that go on the top of a christmas tree

Glass finial tree toppers have remained popular through the years. American brands such as Shiny-Brite released colorful painted style with glitter in the 1950s and '60s.

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Vintage Plastic Santas

62 inch tall plastic santa by chicago based la goodman manufacturing coCourtesy of Reader

Of course, it's the time of year for the man in red! Vintage Santa figurines of all shapes and sizes make for festive and nostalgic decor in any room of the house, inside and out. This guy, at 62 inches tall, would be right at home greeting guests on a front porch or in an entryway. Glow-up blow molds, vintage and new, are super popular today.

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Vintage Santa Claus Figurines

a vintage santa claus collection on a rustic cabinetDavid Tsay

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Vintage Shiny-Brite Ornaments

colorful shiny brite ornaments arranged on a tiered bowl on a dining table

You'll be hard-pressed to find a more beloved vintage Christmas decoration than the Shiny-Brite. Special as a single and stunning as a set, most vintage-lovers have never met a Shiny-Brite they didn't love. No matter the application—adorning the tree or arranged in a tiered bowl as a centerpiece—these colorful baubles are simply timeless.

5

Vintage Feather Tree

a vintage german feather christmas tree on a cabinet in a stairwell with presents all aroundDAVID A. LAND

An antique German feather tree is the perfect size for a stairwell tabletop moment. Dainty Shiny-Brite ornaments add sparkle. Visit this Etsy shop for a selection of authentic goose feather trees. See next slide for details.

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14-inch Authentic Goose Feather Tree

14-inch Authentic Goose Feather Tree

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14-inch Authentic Goose Feather Tree

Credit: RoguesHill/Etsy

Sweet red berries on the tips of each branch punctuate this petite tree that stands just 14 inches tall, making it a versatile holiday decoration ideal for a tabletop, shelf, or as part of a Christmas centerpiece.

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7

Vintage Tree Skirts

christmas tree skirts that are quilted in red white and green fabrics

A quilted tree skirt is a charming way to add throwback style to your Christmas decor. Festive designs in red, green, and white bring homespun style, as the skirts you'll find today were often homemade using store-bought patterns.

8

Vintage Putz Houses

colorful tiny cardboard houses called putz houses are arranged on a mantel

Brightly colored cardboard dwellings, called "Putz" houses, can be found on online vintage sites. They make for an adorable winter neighborhood atop a mantel or shelf. Mix in bottlebrush trees for a charming village-like vignette.

9

Vintage Foil Light Reflectors

colorful flower shaped foil reflectors christmas holiday decor that are meant to go on strands of lights

If you want to add tons of color to your tree, hunt for these flower-shaped foil light reflectors. They attach to each bulb on a strand of lights for two purposes: to absorb the incandescence and to help radiate the light's glow. Price depends on condition, and multilayered versions are often a little higher in price.

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10

Vintage Tinsel Icicles

tinsel icicle christmas holiday decor in its original green and red christmas themed packaging

Bring on the tinsel! Although the vintage packaging is delightful and makes for an adorable Christmas display, decorate with new tinsel. (The old stuff is unsafe for household use!) After all, a tinsel-covered Christmas tree is one of the easiest ways to impart vintage style.

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Vintage Dresden Ornaments

colorful ornaments on a christmas tree in the shape of animals like roosters and swans and birds and bunnies

Make a merry menagerie on your tree with a collection of Dresden ornaments. Made of embossed cardboard, these colorful pieces can be found for as low as $5 and as much as $100, depending on design uniqueness, condition, and level of detail.

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Vintage Aluminum Christmas Tree

Vintage Aluminum Christmas Tree

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Vintage Aluminum Christmas Tree

At three feet tall, this shiny aluminum tree is ideal for smaller spaces and is a total throwback!

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13

Vintage Holiday-Themed Glassware

white coffee cups with red candy cane designs painted on and the cups are filled with white hot chocolate and peppermint sticks

Glassware and dishes adorned with holiday motifs can be found at flea markets and yard sales for a bargain. Check Etsy and antiques shops for full sets, like these candy cane-patterned milk glass mugs by Federal Glass. See next slide for more dishware decorating ideas.

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Vintage Dishware

vintage christmas dishware in white with red and green graphics arranged on shelves lined with holly

Festive dishware like this Hazel-Atlas Tom and Jerry set were made by several glass companies. The fired-on designs (as shown here) were popular in the mid-1900s and make for nostalgic decor today on a shelf, buffet, or table.

15

Vintage Cookie Cutters

vintage christmas cookie cutters in their original festive packaging

If you're lucky enough to score a complete themed set, vintage cookie cutters in their original packaging make for sweet decorating moments in your kitchen. Tuck them on open shelves for a pop of holiday cheer. See next slide for a fun DIY idea using old or new cookie cutters.

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Vintage Cookie Cutter Wreath

a wreath made of vintage cookie cutters and a burlap bow hangs on a green doorDavid Hillegas

DIY a sweet wreath for your front door by gluing found cookie cutters in a circular shape. Adorn with a ribbon of your choice (ours is jute). If you don't have vintage ones, you can create this same craft with new ones.

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Vintage Santa Mugs

a rustic country kitchen with a wooden island in the middle that is topped with santa claus mugs with greenery insideDylan Chandler

Santa mugs are for more than coffee or hot cocoa—they are the just-right size for tucking in greenery or bottlebrush trees (as shown here). We love how red and white tins filled with greenery round out this island centerpiece in a country kitchen.

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Vanpein Multicolor Christmas Bubble Lights

Multicolor Christmas Bubble Lights

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Vanpein Multicolor Christmas Bubble Lights

Credit: Amazon

Talk about a groovy way to decorate the tree! These ultra-colorful, vintage-style bubble lights really take you back to those carefree childhood Christmases.

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Vintage Christmas-Themed Matchbooks

christmas themed matchboxes

In the mid-1900s, advertisers printed matchbooks with holiday messaging. Display a collection of these tiny treasures during the holidays to strike up a retro vignette.

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Vintage Christmas Cards

vintage holiday cards arrnaged on the wall in the shape of a christmas tree

Reminisce Christmases past with a collection of holiday cards arranged in the shape of a tree. Each separate message joyfully comes together for a happy and graphic greeting. (We love this decorating idea for small spaces where a tree may not be possible.)

Headshot of Amy Mitchell

Amy Mitchell is the managing editor at Country Living and VERANDA. She writes about a wide range of topics, including homes and lifestyle content.

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