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?
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.
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.
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
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!!🌲
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!
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!
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!
Sue Pagels
I was talking about the ceramic trees LOL!
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.
Barbara O'Brien
LOOOVE those Shiny Brights!! And your blog!
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!
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.
Amy Allison
Would love to have a collection of these, so cute!
E. DiMaiolo
Love all the vintage decor. Thanks for sharing . Merry Christmas!
Rosemary
Love Vintage things, but storage can be a problem
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.
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,