This year, reproduction vintage Christmas decor is HOT at the stores. All of a sudden the stuff we love is going mainstream.
Sure, we'd all love to have original and authentic vintage Christmas decor, but what if Grandma didn't leave you all her Christmas decor when she died? What are you gonna do about it?
- You can whine and moan about your cousin getting all the good stuff.
- You can hang out in thrift stores and at estate sales and try to recreate Grandma's Christmas stash (this one really does appeal to me).
- Or you can buy some reproductions and enjoy the look the easy way!
So for those that don't have the time or energy to hunt down the originals or for those who just want the retro Christmas look FAST, I've compiled a list of where you can find the top 5 iconic vintage Christmas decor items that you pretty much need to get for your holiday decorating.
(This post contains some affiliate links for your convenience. You can read my full disclosure policy here.)
Top 5 Iconic Vintage Christmas Decor Items
Updated for 2022
Santa Mugs
There ain't no party like a Santa mug party! They're cute, they remind you of cookies and milk at your granny's house (even if Cousin Susie is drinking out of your favorite Santa mug as we speak) and some of the reproductions out there are spot on.
Where To Buy Reproductions:
Pottery Barn has a wonderful set of 4 Santa mugs. (And Pottery Barn has them on sale right now.)
They also have the little mini Santa mugs . Shot glasses, if you ask me. But hey, I'm not judging what you drink out of Santa's head.
Shiny Brite Ornaments
Nothing says nostalgic Christmas more than a Christmas tree filled to the brim with Shiny Brite ornaments. Most of the ones on this white tree from last year were from my mom's house, but I have found quite a few at estate sales and thrift stores also.
Where To Buy Reproductions:
Amazon is my go to place for all things Shiny Brite if I can't find them out in the wild.
And I've also found some nice Shiny Brite ornaments at West Elm this year. They come in all the traditional shapes (balls, bells, indents).
West Elm also has some fun pinecone shaped Shiny Brites.
I have also seen them sold at HomeGoods, but that's sort of a crap shoot, since each store has different items in stock.
(Can you say crap and Santa in the same article?)
Vintage Ornament Wreath
I've been wanting to make my own for a few years now, but just haven't gotten up the nerve to glue a bunch of my Shiny Brites onto a wreath yet.
But if you aren't squeamish like me, having a vintage ornament wreath is a great way to show off your love of vintage Christmas decor all in one space. It definitely makes a statement!
Where To Buy Reproductions:
The photo above is a wreath Target carried last year. Sadly they are not selling it this year.
Walmart carries this retro styled ornament wreath this year though. Not exactly the same, but similar. And I believe the ornaments are shatter proof, which is a good thing in my house.
Etsy is a GREAT place to find these types of wreaths at all price points. One of my favorite sellers is Kitschmas Wonderland who's wreaths are jam packed with both new and vintage ornaments and a whole lot of whimsy.
Blow Molds
Blow molds are one of those retro Christmas items that I didn't think would ever make a comeback, but comeback they did! In all their glorious plastic luminosity!
Like the candles I have on my front porch or the Santa I put out every year.
Where To Buy Reproductions:
I purchased this cute snowman at Michael's a few years ago (I just checked, he's not available for 2021!), but I did find him at Home Depot this year (he appears to be out of stock right now, but you can have them email you when they get more in). He's hanging out in my living room for the holidays. Hope he doesn't melt!
Or this happy version of a snowman carrying a wreath from Walmart.
Menard's always carries a surprising variety of blow molds. I always enjoy walking through their forest of fake trees and outdoor decor every year. Or you can find all sorts of Santas, candles, toy soldiers and such on Amazon.
This traditional blow mold Christmas porch candle is always a fun way to decorate the porch for the holidays!
Ceramic Christmas Trees
I think other than the blow molds becoming popular again this year, the one that really surprised me was ceramic Christmas trees! They are all over the place!
Where To Buy Reproductions:
Where CAN'T you buy them should be the questions!
Of course Etsy and Ebay are great if you want the authentically vintage ones.
I've seen the new ones on Amazon and Walmart. Target had them last year, but I have not seen them make a return this year!
Psst - You there. The ceramic Christmas tree lover. Yeah you! - You have to check out Ariel at PMQ For Two's line up of ceramic trees on her sideboard! Stunning!
Speaking of ceramic Christmas trees, I picked up the little guy above at a local antique store. It's cute at just 10 ½" tall and oh so colorful!
Leslie Schmidt
The older I get, the more I"m drawn to vintage decor. I have small collections of vintage items, such as Shiny Brights, Gurley candles, and ceramic decor such as candle holders and candy dishes. I have one ceramic Christmas tree that was made for us by my mother-in-law. I don't know if that constitutes vintage or not. I love the look of the large grouping of the trees that other blogger posted. Very festive.
Diana Lucas
Love this post! Always looking for vintage Christmas items and I appreciate you passing along where we can find these. Thanks!
Jo
I have gotten rid a plenty of decorations and just keeping some of my childhood. My mom one of the ceramic trees
Donna M
I love blow molds! So happy they are coming back. We bought a couple this year and I still have several from my parents.
Deb
I love vintage at Christmas. I have a set of vintage mugs from my childhood along with many other goodies. Each year I set up little christmas displays in my hutch to resemble the store window displays I enjoyed in the city as a child at Christmas time.
Jimmy Fancher
Love your blog! Merry Christmas!
Marla Van Wig
I love your blog, thank you for all the inspiring ideas. Have a wonderful holiday season!
Tammy Scott
All 5 of these were an intricate part of my childhood and I ain't no spring chicken. It makes me laugh when my grandchildren think this stuff is a new trend. I really appreciate your appreciation!
Terri Nichols
Oh Pam what a delightful give away. One year I did ceramics and have nothing to show for it but a Christmas tree. I gave it to my mom and I have no idea if she still has it. She’s lost her ability to communicate so I can’t ask her. I love your posts! Merry Christmas!
Betty
I love all things vintage ♡ My Grandmother made a tree like this that had 'cracked' marble lights. Would love to win this small tree and bring back memories 🙂
Sunny C
Pam; What a Wonderful Giveaway!!! Thank-You so much for the chance!!!
I would Love to win this tree, as it looks like the same one that my Great Aunt had.
I Loved as a Child to sit and stare at the lights on her tree. When she passed, her Christmas tree had disappeared.
This would mean so much to me, if I won it.
Happy Holidays Everyone!!!
Brenda D
Vintage Christmas items are the best ! Great memories ! I so enjoy putting items out at Christmas that have been handed down in my family.
Diane Walgrave
Sweet post Pam, once again! Like all the many comments here, love vintage and love that you showcase so many beautiful ways to use your vintage finds. I have 'borrowed' many of your ideas. I have a decent-sized ceramic tree, made in the 70's. My aunt worked at Federal Reserve Bank in Minneapolis as a secretary to one of the top guys there. She was always bringing home surprises, lots of crafty people at the bank. One day when she stopped by, up popped her trunk and out came what was about to be my new ceramic tree. Unfortunately, Aunt Sophie bumped the top of my tree against the top of the trunk, and about four inches of tree cracked off. It was glued back on, and I glued all the bulbs in place, scattering the many colors as best as I could. One of my first crafting attempts as a teenager! Besides the crack, which is barely noticeable, my 'bag' included a green star. Green? I still have my pretty tree, happily gracing my sofa table, beautifully lit, but a small plastic blue bird sits on top.
Leanna
Love vintage Christmas stuff and all of the beautiful inspiration on your blog! Merry Christmas!
Wendy
Love love love your vintage vibe and the way you put it all together! Thanks for sharing with us!
Pam
COMMENTS FOR THE GIVEAWAY ARE CLOSED NOW.
Sumru Ramsey
OMG These are just adorable and I love it! The decorations look fantastic.
Angela Waterford
I love that you said that reproduction Christmas vintages are popular right now. Maybe I should buy some vintage style ceramic Christmas trees from a good store so that this year's Christmas would look original. I think it would go great with the ones I have collected from thrift stores, so I'll check it out and buy them if I like it.
Maryann
My Grandmother was a ceramic teacher and owned her own shop in the 1970's. She poured her own trees, fired and painted them. I treasure the tree and other Christmas decorations that she made for me. They are beautiful and bring back many happy memories. Thank you for helping to bring these vintage trees back. I just love them!