The days of the minimalist, grey Christmas are behind us. And as we all endeavor to reintroduce charm and a personal touch to our seasonal designs, vintage Christmas decor is the new (yet old) way to create a characterful scheme.
For some people, vintage has always been the way forward, curating beautifully eclectic collections. For others though, it's a new approach that can be tricky to nail – especially if you want to mix it with your existing Christmas decor.
Fear not, we've found a few people who have years of experience collecting and decorating with vintage Christmas decor – and they're sharing all of their tips, tricks, and advice, so you can get started in time for the festivities. Plus, there are a few totally inspiring shots of their spaces.
What's the appeal of vintage Christmas decor?
When you search for Christmas decorating inspiration, it's probably the designs filled with an eclectic mix of ornaments that catch your eye. And the chances are, they're probably vintage.
'Vintage Christmas decor brings so much character and charm to a space. It feels like every piece tells a story and adds a layer of originality that’s hard to replicate with newer decor,' says Ciara Kenaston, who has curated an impressive vintage Christmas decor collection.
'Mixing in vintage touches makes your home feel more personal, curated, and timeless – like you’ve built a collection over the years instead of buying everything all at once. There’s also something magical about the nostalgia these pieces bring, whether it’s the patina on a brass bell or the hand-painted details of an old ornament.'
It's that more collected look that makes decorating with vintage at Christmas so appealing. It offers the same feel as the bookshelf wealth trend, where personalization is at the core.
'There’s a special magic in knowing these decorations have passed through many hands and brought joy to countless families over the years. When you feel an emotional connection to the pieces, holiday decorating becomes far more meaningful,' adds Liz Sickinger, owner of Six Vintage Rugs.
The emotional connection and sense of history vintage Christmas decor holds really feeds into the spirit of the holiday season. It feels removed from the more commercial aspects, instead feeding into the nostalgia and feelings associated with this time of the year.
'The holidays are all about nostalgia, ritual, and a connection to the past (often our childhoods) so it makes perfect sense to incorporate vintage Christmas objects and art into our holiday decor,' explains Anthony Barzilay Freund, editorial director at 1stDibs.
'There’s nothing more emotionally resonant than hanging a vintage ornament on a tree or decorating your holiday table with family heirlooms,' he adds. The beauty of vintage Christmas decor is that it can be sourced at antique stores, thrift shops, and vintage marketplaces, or it can be a keepsake that has been handed down for generations.
'At any time of the year, we can derive enormous pleasure from surrounding ourselves with pieces that have patina and interesting back stories and this is only more true during the holidays when you’re welcoming friends and family into your home.'
5 vintage Christmas decor ideas to inspire your holiday scheme
There are so many ways to add vintage pieces to your holiday decor. From vintage ornaments to old-school art and thrifted tableware, these spaces are a lesson in how to introduce these collected pieces in a tasteful way.
1. Mix Christmas decor from different eras
To create an authentic design with vintage Christmas decor, try to bring in pieces from different eras and design styles. This will help you to create a real eclectic look while feeling like a more genuine collection.
'Vintage Christmas pieces have a unique charm and a story to tell—something you just can’t replicate with newer, mass-produced decor,' says Liz, whose Christmas decorations originate from many different decades.
'To me, “classic Christmas” spans anywhere from the Victorian era through the 1960s. A collected look evolves over time, so don’t shy away from mixing pieces from different eras. You want your décor to feel like it was thoughtfully curated over many years,' she says.
'This year, for example, I blended Victorian elements like cardboard die-cuts, tassels, homemade dried oranges, and unlit real candles with mid-century Shiny Brite ornaments and varying sizes of icicles for a tinsel-like effect.'
There's something so nostalgic about the Santa decoration hung on Liz's ladder. This vintage design has a truly traditional feel to it.
These colorful vintage Mercury glass ornaments from between the 1910s to 1930s will add a playful element to your Christmas tree.
It's rare to find a whole set of vintage glass baubles in good condition. This vibrant selection from the 1960s is a great place to start.
2. Introduce classic colors and finishes
Just because you are decorating for the holidays with vintage pieces doesn't mean you can't still showcase your distinct style. In fact, this approach gives you a good guide for the vintage Christmas decor to look out for.
'I love decorating with vintage Christmas decor! Thrift stores and antique shops are my favorite places to hunt for unique finds. Brass is always at the top of my list – I look for horns, candlestick holders, deer figurines, and bells. Brass adds such a beautiful warmth to the space,' says Ciara.
'When I decorate, I like to layer these vintage pieces with other elements for a collected, cozy feel. I like to turn brass horns into swags with burgundy ribbon and greenery and mix mercury glass ornaments with velvet bows. I love how these details create a sense of tradition and make everything feel unique!'
While brass candlesticks aren't restricted to the holidays, they look fabulous layered amongst your decor. This vintage set of two is a great find!
You can't get more classic than red Mercury glass baubles. This set of four features a charming hand-painted gold design.
In the spirit of mixing vintage and new, tying bows with red velvet ribbon, like this one, into a garland amongst vintage decor creates an elevated design.
3. Embrace old and new Christmas decor
You don't have to just decorate with vintage Christmas decor. Mixing old pieces with new ones creates a visually interesting design – and gives you more flexibility if you're new to collecting.
'Much as it’d be tempting to shop for everything vintage, anything that involves electrics might make me nervous – does that garland of vintage fairy light for example have frayed wiring,' says interior designer Benji Lewis.
Instead of approaching your decorating to create displays of mixed decor, start decorating as you usually would and you'll find you naturally create a balanced scheme. 'Blend candlelight with your multi-colored metallic décor,' recommends Benji. 'If multi-color isn’t your thing, opt for red and green, even if it’s a tablecloth or wall hanging.'
This is also a great method if you're worried about Christmas displays looking dated or if you still want to include some of your favorite new pieces. 'Mixing vintage with modern pieces can create a really interesting balance. Vintage adds warmth and depth, while modern elements keep the look fresh and current,' adds Ciara.
For small Christmas house ornaments, you can't beat vintage designs. These 1950s Putz houses are a charming addition to your children's decor.
Paper decorations blend beautifully with vintage decor. These hanging snowflakes look beautiful hung from a ceiling, like in Ciara's design.
Wreaths are difficult to come by vintage, so opt for a classic design instead. This pre-lit wreath is timeless and can be hung with a red velvet ribbon.
4. Pick a classic color palette
'There’s such a variety of Christmas decor styles from different eras. Some are playful and colorful, while others have a more classic, traditional look,' explains Ciara.
You can choose a color palette for your vintage Christmas decor the same way you can with new pieces, but Ciara says: 'I personally prefer traditional styles in my main living spaces – they feel timeless and cozy.'
You also don't have to stick to one color palette throughout your home. Although Ciara prefers a more classic look in the main rooms of her home, she opts for more playful designs elsewhere. 'For my children’s spaces, I like to add more playful pieces with red and green with fun designs that feel whimsical and magical.'
These checkered stockings are a stylish way to stick to a classic color palette while also introducing a more playful design for kids.
For something more playful, these colorful ornaments from the 1930s feature charming bell and pinecone designs in traditional Christmas colors.
Are your Christmas decorations really complete without a vintage nutcracker? They're tricky to find, but we love this traditional design.
5. Bring in vintage Christmas decor in an unexpected way
Your vintage Christmas decor doesn't have to focus on the obvious places like the tree and fireplace. An entryway table can be given a festive update with decor displayed in an unexpected way.
'Mid-century multi-colored metallic baubles look great but can be a nuisance to thread and hang on a tree; a stack of them in a glass bowl is lovely though,' suggests Benji.
Your Christmas table decor ideas are another lovely place to introduce vintage pieces. From glassware to classic display pieces and vintage textiles, these designs prove timeless. 'I like fairy lights that are trailed along the dining table weaving between glasses and plates,' adds Benji.
If you want to bring your ornaments into a dining room, filling a glass bowl with Mercury glass baubles is one of Benji's favorite ways to decorate.
Not all of your decorations need to be vintage. Opt for new fairy lights to ensure they are up to safety standards – these LED ones are a great option.
You can find beautiful vintage glassware to spruce up your Christmas dining table. These green goblets add a festive touch to your design.
Where to buy vintage Christmas decor
Buying vintage Christmas decor isn't quite as easy as new designs, but collectors have their go-to spots to find special pieces. 'For ornaments, local options like Facebook Marketplace, flea markets, and antique stores are usually your best bet. Many online sellers do not care to ship such fragile items,' says Liz.
'For non-breakables, eBay and Etsy are my favorite resources. Whether it’s tassel ornaments, die-cuts, paper garlands, or Putz houses, you can find all kinds of vintage treasures there,' she adds.
If you're open to going out and about to find vintage Christmas decor, there are some great options outside of online shopping. For Ciara, thrifting is her favorite way to source beautiful decorations.
'Thrifting is the best way to find unique vintage Christmas decor, so make a habit of checking your local thrift stores often –at least once a week if you can. Look for brass, silver, or glass pieces, as they tend to have a timeless quality,' she suggests.
1stDibs also has a wonderful selection of vintage Christmas decor from approved sellers, including stockings, tree ornaments, and tableware that are sure to add unique style to your decorations.
There's no denying the charm and character vintage Christmas decor will add to your home. From baubles and ornaments to hung designs and tableware, there are so many ways to introduce these old, collectible pieces to your scheme this year.
