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    Home » Christmas Decorations And Crafts

    5 Iconic Vintage Christmas Decor Items

    Published by Pam Kessler | 913 words. · About 5 minutes to read this article. - 104 Comments

    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.

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

    (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.

    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. 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.

    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.

    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!

    Ornament wreath

    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.

    Snowman blowmold

    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!

    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 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!

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Robyn G

      December 07, 2018 at 12:38 pm

      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
    2. Lisa

      December 07, 2018 at 1:41 pm

      Love the tree & your blog!! Merry Christmas!!

      Reply
    3. chris tucker

      December 07, 2018 at 2:34 pm

      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
      • chris tucker

        December 07, 2018 at 2:37 pm

        have a very Merry Christmas pam that was supposed to say lmbo xx

        Reply
    4. Annette Kelly

      December 07, 2018 at 3:25 pm

      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
    5. Cindy

      December 07, 2018 at 3:58 pm

      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
    6. Jill

      December 07, 2018 at 4:15 pm

      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
    7. Janice Mullins

      December 07, 2018 at 4:18 pm

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

      Reply
    8. Tammy Caldwell

      December 07, 2018 at 4:34 pm

      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
    9. Nancy Carroll

      December 07, 2018 at 4:37 pm

      Vintage Christmas is the only way to go in my opinion! Love it and love that tree!

      Reply
    10. mary

      December 07, 2018 at 4:50 pm

      Merry Christmas !!!

      Reply
    11. Bev Regoulinsky

      December 07, 2018 at 6:14 pm

      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
    12. Stephanie

      December 07, 2018 at 7:35 pm

      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
    13. Heidi

      December 07, 2018 at 7:37 pm

      ...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
      • Heidi

        December 08, 2018 at 9:51 pm

        Oh and I wondered if you saw this:
        https://www.countryliving.com/shopping/a25426583/retro-ceramic-christmas-trees/

        Reply
    14. Linda McNally

      December 07, 2018 at 8:25 pm

      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
    15. Angela S.

      December 07, 2018 at 9:17 pm

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

      Reply
    16. Tammy

      December 07, 2018 at 9:34 pm

      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
    17. Maryann Smith

      December 07, 2018 at 10:31 pm

      My mother had a ceramics shop. She would make these every year. I never saved one. This would be great to have.

      Reply
    18. Colleen

      December 07, 2018 at 10:33 pm

      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
    19. Erin S

      December 07, 2018 at 10:55 pm

      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
    20. Gayla

      December 07, 2018 at 11:06 pm

      I am so glad you have the vintage fever also! Thank you for a great list!

      Reply
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