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5 Absolutely Iconic Vintage Christmas Decor Items You Just Have To Have (And Where To Buy Reproductions)

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The 5 pieces of vintage Christmas decor you need this year and where to find them.

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

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.

Vintage Santa mugs

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 – actually they are sold out now, so I will add them back in when and if they get them back in stock).

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.

Vintage Shiny Brite ornaments

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. 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!

Ornament wreath

Where To Buy Reproductions:

The photo above of a retro styled ornament wreath is from Target. I believe the ornaments are shatter proof, which is a good thing in my house.

Blowmolds

Blowmolds 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.

Snowman blowmold

Where To Buy Reproductions:

I purchased this cute snowman at Michael’s this year. He’s hanging out in my living room for the holidays. Hope he doesn’t melt!

They don’t sell him online anymore, but can probably still find him at your local Michael’s store (if you use the link up above you can check and see if your store has him or not BEFORE you make the trip).

And I’ve seen another snowman and Santa at World Market.

Or you can find all sorts of Santas, candles, toy soldiers and such on Amazon.

Ceramic Christmas Trees

I think other than the blowmolds becoming popular again this year, the one that really surprised me was ceramic Christmas trees! They are all over the place this year!

Vintage ceramic Christmas tree

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, at Michael’s and at Target. You know it’s something big in the world of home decor if Target carries it!

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 1/2″ tall, it’s colorful and it could be yours!

Let’s have a Christmas giveaway!

You get a tree. And you get a tree. And you get a tree.

Not really, I only have this one tree to give away, I’m not Oprah!

In addition to this ceramic Christmas tree and base, I’ve included a bag full of extra light hole thingies (since this is a smaller version it takes smaller lights which aren’t readily available in the big box stores, so I ordered some on Amazon for you).

Oh, and I added a $25 Amazon gift card to sweeten the deal! Because during the holidays you need all the sweets you can get!

NOTE: The Giveaway has now ended. Janet from Colorado is the lucky winner!

So anyhow, here are the rules:

Vintage Ceramic Christmas Tree + $25 Amazon Gift Card Giveaway Rules
  • There are none. OK, maybe just a few.
  • Leave a comment below to enter.
  • Signing up for my email below would be appreciated, but not necessary to win.
  • Winner must be over the age of 18 and a resident of the U.S. or Canada.
  • One winner will be drawn randomly from those who commented.
  • Giveaway entries end Monday, December 10, 2018 at 9:00am EST.
  • Winner will be picked Monday, December 10, 2018 at 10:00am EST and the tree and gift card will be sent out in the mail as soon as I get the winner’s address.
  • Important – This tree is not brand new. This is an authentically vintage item, meaning someone else used to own this. Authentically vintage things comes with imperfections and flaws and a whole lot of history and that’s why we love them!

Good luck and may the Christmas odds be ever in your favor.

Reader Interactions

Comments

    • Pam

      That’s good to know! I have been trying to stay out of Hobby Lobby this Christmas season, because I have a serious problem there. It’s sort of like how Target is for some people – I walk in to buy a new glue gun and next thing you know I’m walking out with a cart full of stuff!

      Reply

  4. Cassie Johnson

    I love, love, love Vintage Christmas decor and have been blessed to receive some items from by my mom and my husband’s mom. I love to see all the ways that you incorporate Vintage into your decor!!!!

    Reply

  6. Debra

    I have always loved vintage items and that’s why I love your blog! I would really love that vintage giveaway! Merry Christmas to you and yours!

    Reply

  7. Caroline Welsh

    I love your emails, humor and the things you do. My grandmother made a ceramic tree in the 70’s but I believe she broke it so it was never passed down. My daughter loves these – vintage all the way of course – and this would be a wonderful surprise for her, maybe a new family heirloom to be treasured!

    Reply

  8. Linda S.

    You and I are “soul” sisters. I love all things vintage, from plaid thermos/lunchboxes to blow molds. I gave my Mother’s ceramic tree to my daughter. Now I wish I had it back. Would it be too rude to ask for it back? LOL

    Reply

  11. Mary Frey

    I have all of those except the wreath, but have all the items and a tutorial for making my own, just need the time. All my vintage ceramic Santas and angels are out too.

    Reply

  13. Shirley

    I can hardly wait to open your emails. I love all things vintage and decorating for Christmas. I made one of these trees in ceramic class longer than I care to admit but sadly has disappeared at some point. Have been watching for one at a garage sale.

    Reply

  14. Linda H

    Sweet post. You are making me homesick. I too am nostalgic for my mom’s old ceramic tree and have no idea which relative has it. Merry Christmas!!

    Reply

  17. Connie keys

    I have always loved the ceramic trees. My hubby made one for my Grandma many years ago for her small assisted living apartment. Then it came back to us. Sadly it was broken one year and we’ve never replaced it. Thanks for the great giveaway!

    Reply

  19. Lynne

    My mother made a Christmas tree in her Ceramics class back in the early 60s. Just regifted to my niece who was dying to have one. My Mom is getting a good laugh from Heaven on this. Good to know where she can get new little bulb things if she needs them.

    Reply

  21. Jenn Milligan

    I’m so excited to see these coming back! It is fun to hunt them down at antique and consignment shops but handy to know they are more main stream this year. I found an old snowman blow mold at the Goodwill a few years ago and he is standing guard by our chicken coop right now!

    Reply

  23. Judy

    Love all your vintage items, love the little angel with the horn ornament, we had a set of 6 of these when we were children and they were always the favorites.

    Reply

  24. Kathy Wilkins

    Oh, I missed out on receiving my mom’s ceramic tree 10 years ago! I’m thankful to have some of her ornaments though. I love reading your blog Pam. You are always inspiring me .

    Reply

  26. Rebecca

    Be still my beating heart! Love each and every decoration but especially the “blow mold” Santa! Going to look at Michaels this weekend. Adorable! Thanks for the reminder of Christmas past! PS Love your blog and your humor in each post. Look forward to reading them!

    Reply

  28. Sue shepard

    Pam I always love your decorating style. You are so down to earth and live reading your blog. Would love to win that ceramic tree my mother had one but when she passed I we couldn’t find it probably went to the goodwill. Have a blessed Christmas and new years

    Reply

  29. Leslie

    Thank you for posting these fun reminders of warm happy times. I would love to be included in your giveaway, and I am grateful for the opportunity.

    Reply

  31. Christine

    I so appreciate and look forward to seeing your emails, Pam. And it’s also dangerous for me cause I tend to head out to thrift stores, craft and fabric stores and go nuts!! My huge one was buying out all the flamingo fabric (remember that lovely stuff?) at JoAnn’s! lol Christmas is bitter sweet for me. But I always enjoy all the nostalgia. My Mom had this tree but it’s no where to be found!
    I wish you and your family a Merry Christmas and a safe and blessed New Year !

    Reply

  32. Janet Dean

    I have been looking for a tree like this. Love to browse all the antique shops! I found your blog recently and I love all vintage too!
    So glad to have found you. I went right out and bought two black urns for the front of the house. Added branches and greenery. You have given me such great ideas! Thank you!

    Reply

  33. Barbara Pickett

    Really like the Christmas tree and the Santa mugs…had a set when my children were youn and now my daughter is using them for her grandchildren….yes they are that old,

    Reply

  34. Kris @ Junk Chic Cottage

    Love all of this vintage Christmas items. The Christmas tree brings back memories. I made one of those in pottery class for my mom years ago. She still has it. Love the shinny brites too.
    Happy Friday.

    Reply

  38. Dorothy Mungarro

    I love vintage Christmas decorations. The first decorations I bought when we purchased our home 25 years ago were a Santa and a Frosty the snowman blowmold at Savon drugstore. We still put them out in our front yard every year. When we go on weekend getaways I always hit up the vintage stores and look for Christmas decorations. Recently, we picked up a toy soldier and an angel blowmold. My mom had the ceramic Christmas trees with lights. When the lights burned out we took them out and filled the holes with lollipops. We loved our lollipop trees at Christmas. I did not inherit those trees. I am pretty sure that my mom sold them at a garage sale years ago. Now I am going to buy the new trees you show. This rebirth of vintage Christmas decor rocks. Thanks for the beautiful holiday inspiration.

    Reply

  39. Linda @ Itsy Bits And Pieces

    I love all of these wonderful goodies…and repros will be vintage in the blink of an eye! I remember working on a ceramic tree in the 70’s. It was big with toys around the base. The painting seemed to take forever and after it sat in a box for a few years, I sold it at a garage sale so someone else could finish it. I sure wish I had it now!

    Reply

  41. Melissa

    Pam, guess what I saw blowmolds, of all places? WalMart. Can you believe it? I think the 3pc nativity set was $49.

    Anyways, this is a super thoughtful giveaway. And you KNOW I love my vintage Christmas.

    Reply

  42. Sue Pagels

    Oh, thank you for the giveaway! I love all things vintage, but especially CHRISTMAS vintage! I think I had one of these way back when – so it would be vintage now, but I seem to remember it was a storebought one and came in a box. It probably got garage saled over the years. I think my mom still has one or two. I got quite a few of her old Shiny Brites which I still use and love them – she was married in the 40’s. Oh and I already am signed up for your emails 🙂 Thank you and Merry Christmas!

    Reply

  43. Kat

    So fun! I would love to find a vintage Santa blowmold for my porch. Our local pottery studio actually has ceramic trees all ready to be painted however you want. Just like our grandmas made them!

    Reply

  44. Ruth Krems

    I love all these vintage Christmas things. Vintage Christmas is the only way I love to decorate for the holidays and always look forward to your blogs. You can also find Shiny Brite and other vintage decorations at Marshall’s too! Merry Christmas Pam and thank you for the beautiful memories!

    Reply

  45. Lynnae

    Who wouldn’t want a ceramic Christmas tree! I enjoy reading your blog, especially your thrift store finds. Merry Christmas to you and yours!!🌲

    Reply

  46. JUDI BRIERE

    Just was given my Nana’s ceramic tree. I am so excited to display this in the center of my mantle. Now, I can feel my Nana
    all around me all during the holidays.

    So grateful for this gift, and of course, for my loving Nana.

    I love the retro style and have quite a few items…most of them are truly beautiful pieces. Like the saying goes “they don’t make ’em like they used to”.

    Merry Christmas to all

    Reply

  47. Nancy

    During my young years, money was very tight, so I always made my gifts to others. I made a beautiful ceramic tree and gave it as a gift. I always regretted not making myself one but I just couldn’t afford it. Thank you for providing the opportunity to win one. My Christmas tree is decorated in all Shiny Brites that I have gotten from yard sales and flea markets.

    Reply

  48. Becky

    Interesting to see the Ceramic Christmas Tree. Those were an absolute big hit when I went to Ceramic Classes in the 70’s. We have one I made my mother. We might have to get it out now and display it this year.

    Reply

  49. Sherrie

    I love all things vintage especially at Christmas. Have only recently discovered your blog, but have really enjoyed them. As a kid growing up in the 70’s, my family and i always went to see both sets of grandparents in the country. I used to love my grandmothers bottle brush trees, ceramic tree, shiny brite ornaments on their live trees that my grandpa would cut down on their land. Such great memories of a simpler time. Merry Christmas!

    Reply

  51. Pam Jacob

    Love vintage Christmas everything! I did find the Shiny Brite ornaments at TJ Maxx and I scooped them up. I have vintage ones too from my 97 year old MIL, but I’m almost afraid to use them. Thanks for sharing these goodies Pam!
    Pam

    Reply

  52. Teri

    Pam, love the post! I am fortunate to still have my mom’s ceramic tree and intact. The memories it invokes are priceless since she is gone. Old or new, they still make me smile. Merry Christmas.

    Reply

  53. Donna Setters

    My Mom painted one of these trees in ceramics class, however I’ve totally lost track of who in the family inherited hers. I wasn’t the one. Though I did score a few of her Shiny Brites. I’ve enlarged that collection now. The old wax Santa boot with teeth marks was mine, too….over the years the toe of the boot finally fell off….waaahhhh.

    Reply

  55. Rolinda H Christman

    I love the ceramic Christmas trees, I inherited one from my mom (and returned the bigger one to my ex – his mother made it – wish I still had it!) – would love to give this one to my daughter! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to You!

    Reply

  56. Donna Weigand

    I am so fortunate that my son in law gave me a ceramic tree, he had 2 which were passed down to him from his grandparents.

    Reply

  57. Joyce

    Thanks for your inspiring blog posts. Thanks to you I am enjoying Grove Collaborative, also. I have been collecting vintage Christmas the past 10 years or so. I turn to your blog to get ideas and tips. Thanks.

    Reply

  58. LaVonda Popp

    I think vintage Christmas decor is just the best, probably because it reminds me of my childhood Christmases. My mom used a foil tree with the revolving color wheel for years – oh to have that in my house! Love the Shiny Brights, too.

    Reply

  59. Detta Penna

    I love looking at your blog. And my ceramic tree story is just like everyone else’s. mom made the tree in the 60s in her ceramics class, and after her death it disappeared. I found one in a thrift store and sent it to my brother. And I would love to have one of my own! Thanks for all the good ideas!

    Reply

  61. Robyn G

    This post brought back such good memories! My mom still has her ceramic Christmas Tree she made in ceramics class, along with an elf boot we always put candy canes in. Also a plethora of hand painted ceramic ornaments. But my absolute favorite is her faded plastic blow mold light-up Santa that gets displayed every year without fail. There are pictures of my first Christmas with that Santa sitting by the tree. Thanks for the trip down memory lane this morning!

    Reply

  63. chris tucker

    all of your porch post have always made go gaga, and as i was scrolling through this post and came onto the tree i said out loud ohh i love that tree, i made my dog jump up and trot over to me for a treat, have a Very Merry Chri

    Reply

  64. Annette Kelly

    Pam, you are so sweet and generous in having this giveaway. I thoroughly enjoy your writing style which I find so humorous. I hope you and your family have the best holiday!

    Reply

  65. Cindy

    I’m already subscribed Pam…but if I wasn’t…I’d do it again!! Love your posts. Thank you for the opportunity to win the ceramic tree and gift card…so fun.

    Reply

  66. Jill

    Love vintage and your blog!! I painted a ceramic tree 30 years ago. I no longer have it, but it’s been fun seeing them again.
    Merry Christmas!

    Reply

  67. Janice Mullins

    Oh! I love anything vintage, especially Christmas items! I would love to win this! Thank you for your generosity! Merry Christmas!

    Reply

  68. Tammy Caldwell

    Hi Pam, I have to say, I look forward to your blog posts. I love them all. Being a vintage loving girl myself I just love your decorating style. I love thrusting and yard waking to find items for our home. I haven’t been lucky enough to find shiny brutes, but I’m still looking. I hope your family has a wonderful Christmas and New Year. Keep the blogs coming, lol. Tammy

    Reply

  71. Bev Regoulinsky

    I made so many of those trees for gifts through the years, the only one I ever kept for myself was a small white one I made with red lights on it, it’s out this year. I had so many of the shiny ornaments that when I gave away my tree I also gave them along with it, never thinking they might be back in style again!! I do have a few old ornaments from my families collection, almost afraid to use some of them! I think some of the green trees I made are at my sister’s house, unless she put them out for a yard sale~!!

    Reply

  72. Stephanie

    Ohhh,what a GLORIOUS gift you are offering! I am a bonafide Vintage Christmas Girl!!! My bday is Dec. 15th, so I have been lucky to receive many special Christmas items thru the years. I am a long time subscriber AND admirer of yours. I get many of my display ideas from you! Please pick me!!! 😍

    Reply

  73. Heidi

    …and CANADA!!! My heart did a funny little flip flop thingy!
    When my mom was in the nursing home (out on the West Coast) a crafter came to the home and sold her version of these because they were perfect for that situation. I bought Mom one when I was visiting in November and it’s bright little lights brought her so much joy for 2 Christmases. The aides would come to her room at dusk and would turn it on for her because they loved it too. When mom died I couldn’t bring it home on the plane because there were so many other precious mementos to bring with me to central Canada. Have had my eagle eye out for them at thrift stores but they are appreciated once again and I haven’t spotted one.

    Reply

  74. Linda McNally

    I started collecting vintage decorations in the early 80’s when my kids were young. My first acquisition was a 1940’s feather tree and miniature blown glass ornaments.. My mom’s friend had donated them for our church’s bazaar for the White Elephant table. Now some of my own original ornaments from the 70’s are considered vintage! But I still collect.

    Reply

  75. Angela S.

    I love all things vintage Christmas! I began collecting 3 years ago and have been reading your blog almost as long.

    Reply

  76. Tammy

    I love truly vintage, but it is so nice to find reproductions as the real stuff gets harder and harder to get a hold of. I would love to be the winner!

    Reply

  78. Colleen

    Hi Pam!
    I have a couple of Shiney Brites that were my mom’s. They are the first to go on the tree every year. ❤️❤️
    I absolutely love the ceramic tree you are gifting one lucky reader – the holly detail on the base **sigh** is to die for. So pick me! Pick me!!
    Have a holly jolly Christmas!
    Colleen

    Reply

  79. Erin S

    I giggle every time you read your posts! Love the humor. 😏 I have one ceramic tree that I found last year in a thrift store but haven’t found any more in my price range (cheap!). Why, oh why, didn’t I buy them all up 10 years ago when nobody wanted them?!

    Reply

  81. 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.

    Reply

  82. Diana Lucas

    Love this post! Always looking for vintage Christmas items and I appreciate you passing along where we can find these. Thanks!

    Reply

  84. 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.

    Reply

  85. 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.

    Reply

  88. 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!

    Reply

  89. 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!

    Reply

  90. 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 🙂

    Reply

  91. 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!!!

    Reply

  92. 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.

    Reply

  93. 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.

    Reply

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