From Vintage Decor to Christmas Holiday Decorations

It’s the most wonderful time of the year for vintage! Today I’m sharing my top 13 favorite collections that go from vintage decor to Christmas holiday decorations in a snap.

The Holiday Season

The Christmas season is such a great time to display your vintage items.

For many years, when I pulled out my Christmas items to decorate the living room with, I would put away many of my vintage finds. Then one year, I began to incorporate my vintage decor with my other retro Christmas decorations, in more creative ways.

Now, pretty much each holiday display consists of my favorite things in the form of vintage elements and my old world Christmas treasures.

Incorporating Your Vintage Pieces in the Christmas Season

Decorating with vintage decorations is more than just breaking out vintage Christmas ornaments.

It’s about mixing in the things you love, and creating holiday cheer with memories from the past.

There are still a few items I put away to make room for some of the bigger collections, but the vintage treasures still hold center stage.

Christmas is the perfect time to make displays and add wonder and excitement. 

Favorite Vintage Christmas Decorations

Here are my 13 favorite vintage collections and items that I use to make my Christmas decorations extra special.

Quilts

Every time I shop estate sales, it seems I cannot come home without a vintage quilt.

I have been collecting them for over 40 years and Christmas is such a good time to pull those ones out that share your decorating color palette.

Use them for display over the back of a couch, a stairway railing, rolled in a basket, or any other place you want to tuck a bit of color.

Read more: The Fun of Collecting Vintage: Ideas for Displaying Quilts

Milk Glass

My most beloved collection is my milk glass collection. It began almost 45 years ago and is used daily.

Milk glass is such a classic item to pair with Christmas decorations. I use many different pieces, in a variety of ways. My favorite is using bud vases to hold delicate old tree toppers.

Milk glass is great for showing off anything from candy canes to glass ornaments to vintage cookie cutters, fresh greenery and other unique items. Place items in bowls, use compotes, or cake plates, and stack for great visual appeal!

Read more: 5 Best Ways to Collect and Use Vintage Milk Glass

Vintage Nativity

Since Christmas is about Christ, I decided just a few short years ago that I should make a better showing for baby Jesus. So I began collecting a few nativity sets.

Of course, Christmas time is the only time I display this collection, but it is such an important one. It is a reminder of the reason for the season.

I feel like, for me, all Christmas decorating should include these classic figurines. 

Sock Stretchers

I’m a bit obsessed with wood sock stretchers, not gonna lie. And lately, I have collected way too many. Is that even a thing?

But the shape is so fun this time of year, and they are a great addition to all my other vintage Christmas decor ideas.

Last year, I found these metal ones, that are just the outline shape. They were a great deal at a local antique store (only $4 each!) and I love the way they look this year with our holiday traditions stockings.

Hand Crafted Stockings

My favorite holiday craft of all time was making personal stockings for each family member using vintage quilt pieces. Each has a personal touch that shows the personality of each family member.

As the kids got married, it was so fun to make new ones for our in-laws.

Making stockings is always a fun Christmas craft, but being made with pieces of an old vintage quilt make it extra special.

Read more: Crafts Using Tattered Vintage Quilt Pieces

Toy Trucks

My grandsons love this collection, but it sure is hard to explain to the little ones that these ones are for display. So I always have a few within their reach, that I know that they will play with and roll around.

I add little bottle brush trees to the beds, and tie them on with a scrap of ribbon or torn fabric. I’ve even added a few cars and a school bus to the collection, that still get small trees to show they are feeling festive.

Rusty toy trucks are fairly easy to find at flea markets, but depending on the size and brand, they can get a bit pricey. I gravitate to the rusty, crusty ones, since I do love all things vintage.

Vintage Ornaments

Old Shiny Brite ornaments have a patina like no other and I love to find those decorated with stripes and cute details.

Displayed in small trees, they are so pretty and give a nod to an era gone by. Even very small spaces can accommodate  a tiny tree with vintage ornaments.

The ones I have from my childhood, and those that my children made are the most special.

Vintage Art

Vintage art has always been a favorite of mine, and finding winter scenes that can be incorporated into your holiday season decor is so fun.

I love to search antique shops, flea markets, estate sales and thrift stores to find vintage art that shows the winter months. 

Read more: Amp Up Your Personal Style With Vintage Art

Wicker Demijohn Bottles

Wicker demijohns are so cool, I love them soooo much! This vintage glass jar is covered with a wicker covering that protected liquid while in transit.

I have a soft spot for these because to me, they have the perfect mix of texture and patina for the best vintage feel in decor.

Keeping mine out with my Christmas decor, I just add a bit of greenery. They are my favorite vintage containers. 

Read more: How to Style Vintage Wicker Demijohn Bottles

Vintage Crinolines and Slips

Once I figured out that I could use a vintage crinoline or slip as a tree skirt, I was off and running to find more!

Have you seen the price of tree skirts lately? Some can be soooooo expensive, and using an old crinoline or slip will give your tree such fabulous vintage style and usually at a great price.

This year I bought a few more to add to my collection. Each one is such a unique piece and adds lots of personal style to my Christmas decor.

They sure are a fun way to give these vintage slips new life and purpose!

Wool Plaid Blankets

Yes, I do have a vintage wool plaid blanket problem.

Once you buy your first, then you will too! These beauties are not just to look at.

I keep a few tucked around so everyone can cozy up on the couch while watching their favorite holiday movies.

Read more: Using Collections for Vintage Christmas Decor

Wood Bowls and Bread Boards

Old wood provides the best patina and I just love how my vintage wood bowls and bread boards add the perfect layer to all the vintage Christmas decor.

Actually I use them as a focal point with most holiday decorating, not just at this magical time of the year. 

To give your wood the best patina, bring out the beauty by using wax to enhance the patina. I keep clear wax and patina wax (which has dark pigment) on hand and rub it into every wood vintage find that I buy.

Fill wood bowls with natural elements from your yard, such as pinecones, evergreen sprigs, and more. I love to do this is the fall as well.

Read more: Decorating for the Fall and Halloween Season Using What You Have

Vintage Santa Mugs

These vintage mugs are a super fun thing to collect, as each one has a unique face.

Basically I only buy the real old ones, and they are getting harder and harder to find at decent prices. But with a little bit of persistence, you can still find a few in the wild. There are many reproductions out there, so beware if you want originals.

Vintage Santas stand the test of time, and are much beloved vintage Christmas decor items that remind us of hot cocoa at Grandma’s house.

Vintage is Always a Great Idea

Whether you collect ceramic Christmas trees, fruit garlands, jingle bells, putz houses or snow globes or all the other hundreds of vintage items that make this holiday so special, buy what you love and what speaks to you.

I love the memories that vintage Christmas decor will evoke. Plus, it is a great way to show off your personal style at the holidays.

I hope that you will add your vintage decor into your Christmas decorating and create displays that will bring you visual joy and happiness for the holidays!

Follow me on Pinterest to see other great Christmas decorating ideas.

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