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!
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.
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!
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!
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!
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!!🌲
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
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.
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.
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!
Sandy Beets
Ooo! Love vintage Christmas
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
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.
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.
Linda Greiss
Fun post! Merry Christmas!
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!
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.
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.
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.
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!
Dawn
Love vintage and love what you do with the items to make them look so cute.