Adding vintage to my Christmas decorations

Share!

There’s a certain timeless allure in vintage Christmas decorations that transcends trends and commercialism. The warmth they bring, steeped in history and sentiment, can transform any space into a cozy haven reminiscent of holidays past.

wooden sign showing "you are now in bedford falls"

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read myΒ disclosure policy.

The making of my vintage Christmas

I wasn’t always into vintage. In my 30’s and 40’s, I filled my home with themed Christmas trees and the latest and greatest decorations. It seemed that every few years, I was looking for something different or better than what I had. But in my 50’s, I would see items for sale at antique shops that would remind me of my youth. That’s exactly when the vintage bug hit me and I’m so glad it did!

The nostalgic appeal

Vintage Christmas decorations carry stories within its aged baubles and ornaments. Each piece, whether an antique ornament, a handcrafted wreath, or a cherished heirloom, holds memories of bygone Christmases, passed down through generations. It’s heartwarming to have a piece that reminds me of a wonderful time that occurred in my not-so-distant past.

How I incorporated vintage Christmas decorations into my home

Here are some of the ways I add a little vintage to my home:

The tree

Although I don’t have many actual vintage tree decorations, I started a tradition that will carry on to my grandchildren someday. Every year, my grandbabies get a picture with Santa. I’ve taken those pictures and had ornaments made through Shutterfly. They turned out so well that I also had vintage pictures of my daughter and my sister and I with Santa made as well. Now every year while decorating the tree, I look at these wonderful memories of Christmases gone by.

Picture ornament of me and my sister
Me and my sister, circa 1969
Picture ornament of my daughter
My daughter, circa 1982
Picture ornament of my grandchildren
My grandchildren

The mantel

Growing up, my mom would hang a string of gingerbread men across the room. When they went up, I know that Christmas was coming soon! These lights were vintage Italian lights made in the 1950’s.

vintage gingerbread men lights
Gingerbread men Italian lights, circa 1950’s

Searching on Etsy, I found a few strings of these exact lights for sale, along with other versions of the same Italian lights. I gave a string to my sister for Christmas that year…she cried. I use a string that looks like pinecones to light the mantel each year.

vintage pinecone lights
Pinecone Italian lights, circa 1950’s

Vintage ceramics

I was gifted a very large vintage 1970’s ceramic tree from a very dear old friend of mine. He has since passed, but looking at this tree each year reminds me of all the wonderful conversations we had over tea. My Mammam used to go to a ceramics place in town back in the ’70’s. Often, she would take my sister, cousin and I to also paint a masterpiece. I have a beautiful old Santa that she made and it reminds me of these wonderful times. My mother still sets out the Christmas ceramics that we made her. I am lucky enough to have a new ceramics center in town and have been creating my own ceramics to hand down to my grandchildren. Even the practice of going to the ceramics place brings back wonderful memories.

vintage ceramic tree
Large ceramic tree, circa 1970’s
vintage santa claus
My grandmother’s ceramic Santa, circa 1970’s

Real greenery

I used to decorate my whole yard with light-up motion displays. The kids in the area would squeal with joy when I lit them on the Friday after Thanksgiving. I have since passed those vintage displays down to my daughter, who lights up her own yard now in Christmas wonder. My grandchildren love it! Now I decorate in simple, natural decor. Usually I take a drive around the backroads in my area and cut limbs from the multitude of pine and evergreens in the area. I also bring some of these greens indoors to remind me of the days when my mom would decorate our home with greenery. The greenery lasts all winter long and the smell is divine!

vase with faux berries and real greenery
poinsettia

Other ways I bring vintage Christmas into my home

Christmas cards

Yes, I still send Christmas cards. There’s something about sending and receiving a personal handwritten note from friends and family. Hanging cards received around a doorway reminds me of my childhood and seeing all the cards both my mother and grandmother would hang around their doorways. I highly recommend sending a card to your friends and family. It truly is a special treat.

christmas card

Christmas treats

Along with my vintage decor, I also prepare confections and other treats that my Mammam made every Christmas. The act of preparing and giving these treats to friends and family takes me back to the days when friends visited each others’ homes to see their decorations and share in laughter. Every year, I would go to my best friend’s home to see what Santa brought them, and they to mine. Aunts and uncles would visit and share a laughter or two. As I got older I would go to my neighbor’s home to see their Christmas wonder and share a holiday drink and treats. Those memories always make me feel warm and cozy at this time of year.

homemade peanut butter fudge

Some of the treats handed down through my family I’ve listed below for you to create and share with your family:

Burning a bayberry candle

My family’s tradition has always been to burn a bayberry candle on New Year’s Eve. The tradition holds that burning a bayberry candle to the socket brings good luck to you in the new year. Our tradition has always been to light it at 6pm.

bayberry candles

In a world of rapidly changing trends, vintage Christmas decorations serve as a reminder of the enduring beauty found in nostalgia. As I adorn my home with these treasures, I am reminded of all the wonderful stories, memories, and timeless elegance that I was blessed to have in my life.

Share your experiences and treasured vintage finds in the comments below. Let’s celebrate the beauty of the past together this holiday season!

Similar Posts

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.