Well, blow me down.
I got a little pre-Christmas thrifting and antique mall shopping in last week and thought I'd better show you the goods before Santa gets here and decides he wants to haul some of this stuff up to the North Pole with him.
I have started collecting thermoses and thought they were perfect for a little vignette on the kitchen counter. Let's face it, anything that has red in it is good for Christmas decor.
The gray bodied one with red lid/cup to the right of Santa (our right, not Santa's right) and the red, gray and dark brown shorter one to the left of Santa (again our left, not Santa's left) are the newest ones. He has no hands, so pretty sure he would be confused by left hand and right hand anyhow.
The cardboard Santa box to the far right (let's not get into whose right) is actually a small promotional item for a Christmas club at a bank in Terre Haute, Indiana. It has a slot in the top where you can insert your spare change. What ever happened to Christmas clubs?
And I know you are all going to be as excited as me about this next find. I found some new-to-me blow molds this year.
Yes indeedy!
This is where half the people reading have just exited from my page. Let's talk about them now that they're gone.
Can you believe not everyone likes blow molds? I know!!!
When I first saw these vintage outdoor Christmas candles sitting on the porch of a little out-of-the-way antique mall, I about peed my pants.
And then when I flipped the price tag over, I really did pee my pants. $8.25 for the set.
Do you hear the orchestra music and see the rays from heaven shining down on this booth of kitschy Christmas goodness? Oh, I did.
And this is how my porch ended up this year (you can see more of it in it's own post - Adding Retro To Your Christmas Porch Decor). Still using the candles, but more greenery going on!
My #1 Tip For Thrifting For Vintage Christmas Decor
Another of my favorite thrifted blowmolds is this Santa.
He must have toppled over a few times on someone else's front porch because they attached his feet to a piece of wood to keep him steady.
I think my favorite thrift store find for Christmas was this vintage ceramic Christmas tree I found for a few bucks a couple years ago.
I couldn't get out of the store fast enough with this thing, thinking they may change their mind about the price and come running after me 🙂
A couple years later I found this much smaller ceramic Christmas tree with a holly base, which I did a Christmas giveaway for my readers with in 2018.
And just this year I found a white ceramic Christmas tree with red birds!!!
OK, I have to admit then when I found it I didn't even realize it didn't have a base to it. I'll just stick a battery operated candle in it until I run across a decently priced white base somewhere.
This styrofoam snowman ice bucket by Gotham Industries was on my bucket list for the last few years and I finally found one at a thrift store this summer. Gotham also made a rather jolly Santa Claus version of this ice bucket I am still searching for.
These were made in the 1950's or 60's I believe. It goes perfectly with my Tom And Jerry Cocktail Recipe from the same era.
Speaking of vintage Santas (we were weren't we), I found this Rushton Coca-Cola Santa in 2017. And he goes perfectly with some of his other Santa cousins on my dining room buffet.
The Rushton Coca-Cola ones (on the left in this photo) originally held a mini bottle of Coke, but I have NEVER seen one in the wild with the Coke bottle still attached.
You can see the rest of my 2018 Christmas Home Tour: Thrift Store Decor Style HERE.
Both the scale and the vintage plastic Santa with sleigh in this post about A Nostalgic Christmas Breakfast Room were thrift store finds. I think Santa may be a 70's Christmas decoration?
Practically everything in my Vintage, Rustic, Industrial Holiday House Tour is thrifted including quite a few thermoses and this cool old syrup tin.
This vintage Santa and his flocked deer friends are also thrift store finds from my Vintage Farmhouse Christmas Decor where I show you how I mix a bit of farmhouse with a bit of vintage.
Speaking of deer, I've found quite a few of these hard plastic Christmas deer at the thrifts over the years, so I just casually place them around my house to add a bit of fun to my Christmas decor.
I have a whole post dedicated to the little guys, called Oh Deer.
My skis on my Holiday Front Porch For The Picnicking Ski Bums started off life as a nasty old pair of chipped skis I found at the thrift store and transformed them into one of my favorite pieces of holiday decor with a little bit of paint.
I run across nasty, banged up, chipped skis ALL THE TIME at the thrift stores and they are normally under $5 a set.
And of course, Santa Mugs are one of my favorite vintage Christmas decor that can be found every so often at thrift stores. I just love the thought that some kid in the 40's used to get all excited to drink out of this mug every single year.
Have you found any fun Christmas stuff at the thrift stores?
Any pants peeing incidents? Related to thrifting, of course.
Debby
I like those other candles too, the chunky ones. Maybe it's time you invest in some Depends, he he.
Have a Merry Christmas. I hope Max gets everything on his list.
Betsy@My Salvaged Treasures
Love your thermoses, I'm thinking they need to be there all year long! Your candlestick blow molds were an incredible deal and made me think of one I had years ago....why did I sell it? Merry Christmas to you and your family Pam.
lifespassion
You are waaay too funny and cute to boot (except for the coffee thing....I do like my coffee) and I so enjoy reading your posts. Love all your stuff ! Merry Christmas and here's hoping for only good things in 2014 🙂
Yolanda
I am so glad to have found your blog.I love vintage and thrifting . I hope you have a wonderful christmas!
Melinda
No on both accounts, thankfully!
Glad for you though-such cool candles.
M : )
TARYTERRE
Love your blow molds. Perfect for your front porch. Festive, indeed.
Van
I love your vintage items juxtaposed with modern ones. Beautiful 🙂
The Quintessential Magpie
Don't you love to find a deal? Merry Christmas, indeed! 🙂
Love your decorating. I have enjoyed keeping up with your blog.
Hope you have a wonderful. Christmas and a sparkling 2914 to match!
xo
Sheila
Junkchiccottage
Ha Ha Pam love your thrifty candle find. Wooo Hooo! Love your collection of thermos. They are awesome. Have a wonderful Christmas and I look forward to seeing more of your blog in the coming year.
Kris
Michelle Myrow
Hi, Pam! I'm a new reader and just wanted to say I looooove your blog. I haven't been inspired much lately, but looking at your awesome finds and decor, I feel like poking around in vintage shops for cool stuff and redecorating, yay! Can't wait to show my mom your blog, she's gonna love it too. 🙂
Hunting Tigress
I stayed with you - I love blow molds! What a great price, too! And I have thermos collection so this post made me pee my pants. Merry Christmas! P.S. - love your porch and the big red yarn balls on the ice skates!
Linda @ Itsy Bits And Pieces
OH you did have some great finds, Pam! I'm looking forward to getting out thrifting again in the new year! Merry Christmas!
Vicki@MorePowerfulBeyondMeasure
WOW! What a great price on the candles and I'm so happy you finally found some! They look awesome on your porch! Not that into blow molds but I do have one of my Grannie's plastic Santas that I put out. I think you need to invest in some Depends before you head out for some after Christmas thrift shopping. One of our largest thrift stores is having everything 50% off starting Dec.26...I may need some Depends too!! Merry Christmas, Vicki
suzieQ
At one time, I wasn't a fan of blow molds, but they are growing on me. Perhaps not enough to have one, but I don't cringe when I see them. Isn't it funny how our tastes change? You create lovely displays, so even a blow mold looks good. (Was that a left handed compliment?)
Diane
Love the cardboard Santa bank. Yeah-- Christmas Clubs... there's a term you never hear anymore!
ThrifterSisters
I have been looking for blow mold candles all season. But finding a decently priced pair has not happened. I mean, $25+ for some old plastic? Don't get me wrong, I love old plastic but I would like to spend a little less. And now I have to find the ones with the Santa's! Thanks for the mission, Pam!
Happy Holidays~
Erica
Vickie @ Ranger 911
Loving your latest finds, Pam! I only have one vintage thermos, but I'm on the lookout for more. It's a good thing we don't live in the same state. And I adore candle blow molds! My oldest daughter and I found a set when we were thrifting, but they're lighting her front entrance. She also found a Santa, which their 2 year old is terrified of. Go figure!
As for pants peeing moments, they have been limited to The Cough that I can't seem to shake.
Merry Christmas!