Vintage holiday decorations have become more and more popular in recent years and are beloved by those who yearn for the nostalgia and simple pleasures of Christmases past. Mostly handmade and featuring details that modern decorations can’t replicate, vintage decorations have a unique charm that kindles warming memories of times gone by.
From handblown glass tree decorations and unique hand-painted ornaments, to festive dinnerware and limited-edition releases, one-of-a-kind decorations are a perfect way to inject a little festive magic into your Christmas decor. Here we’ve rounded up the most collectible vintage holiday decorations and tips on what to look for and where to find them from collectors and dealers in the know.
What Are The Most Collectible Vintage Holiday Decorations?
There’s no doubt that our affection for the past and craving for simpler times has led to an upsurge in vintage holiday decorations. As well as sparking happy memories of childhood Christmases, they are wonderfully decorative and are a great way to make your Christmas decor stand out from the crowd, say the experts.
‘Unlike mass-produced decor, vintage finds often feature richer materials, intricate details, and designs that feel warm, whimsical, and enduring. They add character and storytelling to a home, helping people create a holiday look that feels both personal and beautifully layered,’ says Lauren Reveley, co-founder of online vintage home and embroidery shop Bessette.
Thrift stores, yard sales, estate sales, and flea markets are a great place to hunt for vintage holiday decorations, but there's also a wealth available online at Etsy, 1st Dibs, and Chairish. Below, we've shared what collectible items to look for if you want to decorate with vintage this holiday season, along with handy tips from the experts.
1. Vintage Glass Ornaments
When it comes to vintage holiday decorations, glass decorations are by far the most collectible, with most experts citing these as highly sought after, as well as their personal favorites.
‘The most sought-after Christmas decorations really vary since there are so many different categories that people collect,’ says Leben Riebe, an avid collector of vintage decorations and founder of the Leben Riebe Christmas store. ‘However, I think at the moment, all vintage glass Christmas ornaments are highly collectible. The prices people are willing to pay have also gone up significantly since I began collecting in 2016. I particularly love the teardrop and indents that were made in Poland. They’re colorful, and they’re interesting. They range in size from tiny treasures no more than an inch wide, all the way up to jumbos that are 8 inches or more long.’
Designs handblown in Germany from the 19th century and early 20th century are particularly coveted. ‘Among the most sought-after vintage holiday decorations on 1stDibs are those that come from Germany, especially the fine glass baubles that have been made in the town of Lauscha since the mid-19th century,’ explains Anthony Barzilay Freund, editorial director at 1stDibs. ‘These delicately rendered, colorful Santas and angels and nutcracker soldiers became widely popular as far away as the United Kingdom and the United States by the 1870s, and they still have their devoted collectors around the world.’
Originals are expensive and hard to come by. However, luckily, there are glassworks in Lauscha that still make hand-blown glass ornaments using the original glass molds and the same time-honored techniques. For a curated selection, head to the John Derian store in New York. ‘Everyone loves our hand-blown and hand-painted glass ornaments from Nostalgie Christbaumschmuck,’ says John Derian. ‘My most treasured vintage ornament is a very small, pale blue, glass ornament with its original handmade wire hanger from the 19th century.’
This season, John Derian has also teamed up with Target to release an exclusive range of vintage-style decorations – a wonderful way to capture the vintage aesthetic without the hefty price tag. There's an array of glass ornaments in the collection, from kitschy glass lemons to classic miniature glass wreaths.
2. Santa Ornaments
Whether vintage made from glass, china or papier-mâché, vintage Santa ornaments have graced mantelpieces for centuries and continue to be popular today. An iconic symbol of the festive period, St Nick motifs can be found on everything from vintage paper die-cut Dresden decorations to plastic retro ornaments. Angela Wator, founder of the Festive Collective store in Chicago, is a Christmas fanatic with a particular fondness for decorations made in the traditional way.
A long admirer of vintage papier-mâché ornaments, she's hunted down manufacturers in Germany who make them using the same time-honored techniques to stock in her Christmas store.
‘Our most sought-after decorations are neither vintage nor modern, but new items that have been made using traditional methods. Our exquisitely detailed papier-mâché Santas and trees are custom-made for us in Germany by Ino Schaller, a family business using traditional papier-mâché methods and the same molds their ancestors developed since 1894. Because they’re hand-painted for us, we often see these antique forms adorned with modern colors and motifs.’
You can find plenty of original vintage Santa decor on Etsy, like this Vintage Set of 5 Mercury Glass Christmas Santa Ornaments from the 1950s or these ceramic Santas from the 1980s. There are modern variations too, with Williams-Sonoma, Pottery Barn, and Spode stocking nostalgic replicas.
3. Holt Howard Santa Mugs And Ornaments
When it comes to Santa ornaments, for many, it’s the Holt Howard ornaments that may come to mind. Mid-century collectibles are distinguished by their kitsch pixie-like faces. The Holt Howard China Santa mugs are a particular festive favorite among collectors, which are often used for display rather than for drinking from. Leben Riebe likes to use them as part of creative Christmas displays.
'I have a small but dear collection of vintage Santa mugs that I display on top of antique Delft vases on my dining room sideboard. I place a little vintage bottle brush tree in each one to give Santa a festive party hat. I serendipitously began displaying them this way a few years ago when I couldn't find a spot for them elsewhere in my home, and it has become one of my favorite parts of my holiday decor.'
Anna Kinsel, blogger and founder of the online vintage store @hunleyhome, is also a fan. ‘Original Holt Howard Santa Mugs are a bit more elusive and can range anywhere from $40 to $100 apiece, so many of my weekends are spent roaming antique malls in search of the perfect addition for my china cabinet,' she says.
eBay is a good place to source these pieces at a reasonable price, and there's plenty on Etsy too.
4. Putz Houses
Originating in Germany in the early 20th century, but also made in Japan, Putz houses are miniature houses made from colorful cardboard and paper, which often have pitched roofs and are adorned with festive details like mini wreaths, snow, glitter, and mini bottle trees. The word Putz comes from the German word Putzen, meaning ‘to decorate’ or ‘to adorn’. The houses have captured the imagination of many collectors and are often displayed as part of winter village scenes.
‘I collect vintage Putz houses made in Japan in the 1930s and 1940s that I set up each holiday season as a Christmas village on my fireplace mantel,’ says Leben Riebe. ‘They are made of paper and covered in old glitter that makes them resemble little Christmas confections. I arrange them on a snowy blanket and add lighted lamp posts, bottlebrush trees, and little villagers to complete the wintry scene.’
If you're inspired to recreate this Christmas mantel decor idea, then Leben offers vintage-style Putz houses on his online shop, plus you can find originals on Etsy. You'll find replicas on Pottery Barn and Balsam Hill.
5. Vintage Festive Tableware
It’s not just tree ornaments that can transform your interior at Christmas time; tableware and table linens are a fabulous way to bring the vintage Christmas aesthetic to the dining room. From decorated plates to glassware, there’s no shortage of vintage festive pieces, but perhaps most iconic and collectible is the Spode Christmas Tree china. First produced in 1938, the design is instantly recognizable with its Santa-topped Christmas tree motif and evergreen trim.
Anna Kinsel is always on the hunt for pieces to add to her personal collection. ‘I first fell in love with vintage Christmas in 2018, shortly after graduating from college. At the top of my wish list was Spode’s iconic Christmas Tree pattern. With little money, I hunted for pieces at estate sales and thrift stores. My first 12-piece dinner and salad set was purchased at an estate sale in Houston for only $100. It was a 1993 set, marked 'Made in England', and from the moment I brought it home, it became the heart of my Christmas décor.’
Lauren Reveley agrees that, ‘Few holiday tables feel as timeless as one set with Spode’s beloved Christmas Tree pattern, a tradition passed down through generations.' When thrifting, 'look for the warm ivory background, the distinctive green trim, and that little Santa perched at the treetop – your telltale sign you’ve found the real thing,' adds Lauren Reveley. 'Whether it’s a single plate or a full service, any authentic piece adds nostalgic charm to your Christmas table decor and is always worth scooping up.’
Spode's Christmas tree pattern is still made and stocked at Macy's if you can't get your hands on the antique pieces – even new, they are sure to become family heirlooms.
6. Vintage Christmas Table Linens And Textiles
Vintage Christmas textiles are a fabulous way to inject heritage Christmas charm into festive feasting. From vintage embroidered napkins to traditional plaid tablecloths, vintage textiles are easy to source at thrift stores and are perfect for setting the scene for a nostalgic celebration. If you love the Ralph Lauren Christmas trend, they're a must.
‘Vintage Christmas textiles are some of the most delightful seasonal finds, especially when you come across a Ralph Lauren plaid tablecloth from the 1980s or a mid-century poinsettia print. Ralph Lauren’s classic tartans – deep reds, greens, and navy – bring a cozy, polished look to the table, while earlier pieces often feature bold poinsettias, holly borders, and crisp cotton or linen textures that feel wonderfully nostalgic,’ says Lauren Reveley. ‘When browsing thrift stores or estate sales, check for vibrant color, intact stitching, and only minimal staining. A well-kept vintage tablecloth adds instant holiday warmth and character to any gathering.’
7. Kugel Glass Decorations
Handmade in Germany from the 19th century, Kugel decorations are often distinguished by the silvery and luminous appearance of the glass, which has often become slightly tarnished or ‘foxed’ with age. They are usually spherical and come in a range of sizes from a couple of inches to up to 12 inches, though ribbed and fruit-inspired shapes were also made.
Kugel decorations were made in an array of colors, which was achieved by adding different minerals to the molten glass, and the insides were lined with silver to give a metallic, luminous appearance. The decorations were then topped with brass caps to prevent the silver interiors from oxidizing.
The predecessors of these Kugel Christmas balls were the larger Kugel decorations, also known as witch balls. In Europe, it’s thought these were hung in windows from the 18th century in order to ward off evil spirits. Both the original Kugels and the smaller decorations that came after are both sought after by collectors of vintage decorations. ‘I love a simple silver ball, whether new or antique. I have a collection of small and large vintage kugels that I hang throughout my apartment,’ says John Derian.
8. Branded Christmas Decorations (With Original Packaging)
As with any type of vintage and antique pieces, branded items are always sought after. ‘Equally special are collections of vintage holiday decorations released on an annual basis by major heritage brands, including Reed & Barton’s sterling silver ornaments and classic decorative porcelain dishes by the likes of Rosenthal and Royal Copenhagen,' explains Anthony Barzilay Freund, Editorial Director, 1stDibs.
If you're searching for vintage Christmas decorations that will hold their value, look for those with stamps and hallmarks, and keep your eyes peeled for decorations in their original packaging. Often, the original packaging can be as charming as the items themselves.
'We carry a lot of vintage reproductions with thoughtfully designed packaging that create a nostalgic experience beyond the item itself. When a customer is unboxing a set of Tru-Tone glass bulbs from a beautiful die-cut box, the entire process of decorating feels more meaningful and redolent of history,' says Angela Wator.
A vintage Aluminum Christmas tree, such as this one on Etsy, complete with its own packaging, can fetch upwards of $850. 'A vintage aluminum Christmas tree – especially one paired with its original color wheel – is the crown jewel of holiday thrifting. These mid-century treasures shimmer with that iconic 1950s–60s glow, and a working color wheel brings the full nostalgic magic to life. If you spot one in good condition, grab it fast – they’re striking, collectible, and disappear quickly this time of year,' says Lauren Reveley.
9. Decorations With a Beautiful Patina
For many Christmas collectors, it isn't necessarily the motif, style, or brand of the decoration that draws them in, but the beautiful handcrafted details. Decorations made up until the mid-20th century are meticulously handmade and often showcase the unique marks of their maker. These decorations have been passed down through generations, unboxed year after year, which has left many with charming patinas imbued with inimitable charm and character.
‘I especially love the joyful and exuberant designs of many vintage Christmas decorations. The artisans creating these objects did not have a fear of mixing different colors, patterns, and textures, and did so very thoughtfully. And the result is something that seems so hard to find with new Christmas decorations today,’ explains Leben Riebe.
The Vintage Christmas Decor Edit
Craving a nostalgic Christmas? These hand-picked vintage finds are ideal for capturing the unique, layered look. Look for authentic glass decorations from the 19th and 20th centuries. Some retailers also offer beautiful replicas of vintage designs. However, for those who don't have time to hunt out originals, there's also a huge array of vintage-inspired designs to channel the vintage Christmas aesthetic.
If you love nostalgic seasonal style then it’s well worth hunting down vintage holiday decorations to incorporate into your Christmas scheme. Whether it’s glass ornaments for the tree, standing ornaments for the mantel, or festive homewares and tableware, incorporating vintage and collectible pieces is a wonderful way to bring a personal touch to festive decor and spark happy memories. ‘There is a connection to the past that I experience when collecting vintage Christmas items,' says Leben Riebe. ‘They bring back memories of my childhood Christmases and the wonder and excitement that I felt during the holiday season.’
When decorating with vintage, balance is key - too much vintage and schemes can feel dated. Mixing one-of-a-kind decorations such as vintage glass baubles, alongside handmade decorations and modern vintage-style finds, is a great way to achieve a vintage aesthetic for the modern home.
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