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 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.)
Updated For The 2023 Holiday Season
This post was originally published in December 2018. It's been recently improved to include updated shopping links for 2023 and additional information on my vintage holiday obessions The year may have changed, my love of vintage has not.
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.
Where To Buy Reproductions:
Pottery Barn has a wonderful traditional set of 4 Santa mugs that look just like the vintage ones. Seriously, it's hard to tell them apart from the original version.
They also have little mini Santa mugs. Shot glasses, if you ask me. But hey, I'm not judging what you drink out of Santa's head.
And they even have a matching Santa pitcher you could fill with Tom & Jerry drinks. The holiday drink, not the cat and mouse. (I have a recipe showing you how to make traditional Tom & Jerry drinks HERE).
Not into traditional red and white in your holiday decor? They do have plain white glazed Santa mugs if your aesthetic is more subdued Christmas colors.
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 were from my mom's house, but I have found quite a few at estate sales and thrift stores also.
This tree also has some handmade pipe cleaner ornaments I created to look like the 1940s originals. I have instructions and downloadable faces to make this super easy craft in my post titled Chenille Pipe Cleaner Christmas Craft.
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 Shiny Brite Tinsel Garland that would look great on a vintage-style Christmas tree. And even a whole small Shiny Brite Tabletop Tree (a little tree with ornaments) if you want to just buy it all together and throw it on the coffee table.
I have also seen boxes of Shiny Brites and Shiny Brite tree toppers sold at HomeGoods, but that's sort of a crap shoot since each store has different items in stock at different times.
(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 I 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:
Wayfair carries this retro-styled ornament wreath this year. The ornaments are shatterproof, which is a good thing in my house, so you get the look of vintage without the fragility of vintage.
Grandin Road has an interesting take on this type of wreath by using mixed greens, lots of colorful ornaments and battery-powered lights. It all combines for a fun look!
Of course, Etsy is a GREAT place to find these types of wreaths using ORIGINAL vintage ornaments. One of my favorite sellers is Kitschmas Wonderland whose 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 come back 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 2023!), but I did find some similar snowman for you. Ace Hardware has a 40" very vintage-looking Union Products snowman version. It's based on an original blow mold mold from the original Union Products company so they tend to have that same very old-style look. Ace Hardware also carries a fun 3 ½ foot Santa for the porch also made from the original Union Products molds.
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.
Traditional blow mold Christmas porch candles are always a fun way to decorate the porch for the holidays! Or you can't go wrong with a Toy Soldier beside your fireplace.
And Walmart has this amazingly cute 24" vintage-style reindeer blow mold! Doesn't she look like Clarice in the Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer Movie?
I just bought this one for myself last week. Not really based on a vintage blow mold, but very retro-looking!
WARNING - they also had these last year and she sold out VERY quickly.
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 question!
Of course, Etsy and eBay are great if you want authentically vintage ones.
I've seen the new battery-operated LED ones that have the same look without the cord at Target and Amazon sells corded versions. All mine are corded, but I can see where the battery-operated ones would be convenient for a mantel or dining table.
Psst - You there. The ceramic Christmas tree lover. Yeah, you! - You have to check out Ariel at PMQ For Two's lineup of ceramic trees on her sideboard! Stunning!
Speaking of ceramic Christmas trees, I picked up the little guy in the photo above at a local antique store. It's cute at just 10 ½" tall and oh-so colorful!
What's your favorite vintage inspired item to collect for Christmas?
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!
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 !
Barbara Thomas
Great choices for iconic Christmas items, Pam! I especially love Shiny Brite ornaments!
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.
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
Sonia Figueroa-Junco
Love the vintage tree your blogs and ideas. Have a great holiday along with your love ones.
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!
Cathy
Love vintage Christmas, I have the perfect place for that tree.
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 .
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.
Nancy
I love “all” things vintage. 😊
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!
Donna J Carney
Happy Ho-ho-holidays!
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.
Jamie Longson
I love vintage Christmas and your blog/emails!
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!