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    Home » DIY And Crafts

    Vintage Camper DIY Christmas Ornaments

    Published by Pam Kessler | 943 words. · About 5 minutes to read this article. - 15 Comments

    How to make super cute vintage camper Christmas ornaments. Perfect for a camping, beach or travel themed Christmas tree.

    When Treetopia asked me to decorate a tree for their Treetopia Summer Spree with my favorite summer destination in mind, I immediately knew where I was going to "go"!

    Florida.

    But not any old Florida.

    Retro campers on Christmas tree

    Vintage Florida, circa 1960's, baby!

    Pink flamingo and vintage camper Christmas tree

    Land of kitschy trailer parks, flamingos and days full of sitting in a beach chair wiggling toes in the sand. There's nothing more relaxing than THAT!

    And when I think of Florida in the 60's, it's full of corals and pinks and minty greens. So this pink tree from Treetopia was PERFECT.

    BTW, this post is sponsored by Treetopia who provided me with this Pretty In Pink 6' Christmas Tree that I just adore and can't stop staring at!

    Jump To Tutorials

    • Vintage Camper Ornament Tutorial
    • Printable Vintage Florida Postcards
    • Making A Suitcase Tree Stand
    • Mini Beach Chair Tutorial

    All oohing and aahing are my own opinions. This post also contains some affiliate links for your convenience. You can read my full disclosure policy here.

    I decorated my tree of lusciousness with vintage campers, beach chairs, star fish, vintage Florida post cards, decorative fish nets and the above mentioned pink and plum ornaments. Oh, and did I mention a big old flamingo?

    This guy (or girl?) was setting in my yard last year and now he's setting atop my Christmas In July tree! Talk about job promotions!

    Pink flamingo and Shasta camper Christmas tree decor

    But what says summer travel more than vintage suitcases!

    I found these 2 blue Samsonites at the local thrift store and thought they would be perfect for a tree stand.

    Vintage suitcases used as a unique Christmas tree stand

    The extra special cute red one with the Bakelite handle was bought on Etsy. (I told you I was buying a lot off Etsy recently!)

    Here's a few tutorials on some of the items I created for this tree!

    How to make a retro camper Christmas tree ornament

    Vintage Camper Ornament Tutorial

    Supplies:

    Click here to get your camper template

    8x12 felt sheets in gray, black, and festive colors
    8x12 felt sheets in white (the stiffer, thicker felt is best since this will be the backing to the camper)
    Scissors
    Aleene's Fabric Fusion or Quick Dry Tacky Glue
    Cording or string to be used as hangers

    Felt for a Shasta camper Christmas tree ornament

    Instructions:

    Get my printable pattern for the campers and cut apart your template pieces.

    Template for vintage camper craft

    The part that says "Base" is the backing  for your camper and the other items will be glued on top. The "Base" it what gives your camper some stability.

    Place your template piece on your felt and use it as a guide to cut out your felt camper parts.

    Cutting felt for vintage camper craft

    Glue your hanger string onto the front of the full camper body.

    And then glue your colored bottom to the bottom of the camper, followed by gluing your white top to the top of the camper. Make sure you align your thunderbolt correctly.

    Gluing felt for vintage camper craft

    Glue your door, windows, wing and then trailer hitch. I found it easier to glue the hitch AFTER the body was mostly dried since it's the only piece glued to the back.

    Now you're ready to hang your retro trailer on your tree!

    DIY vintage camper Christmas ornament tutorial

    NOTE ON THE GLUE: The fabric fusion creates a really STRONG bond, but at first glance you may think it isn't holding! It takes a little bit of time for the two pieces of felt to "fuse" together, you just need to be a little patient!

    Vintage Florida Travel Postcards

    vintage Florida postcards

    You can get copies of my postcards HERE.

    I never use real vintage postcards in my projects, because I don't want to mess them up (they've lasted 50 years out in the wild, I'd hate to be the one to destroy them now). But I did scan my own personal Florida postcards for you so you could print them out on card stock (much thicker than regular copy paper) and use them for your own Florida tree. Or to just tuck around your house for some instant tropical charm.

    Miniature Beach Chair Tutorial

    Here's a video on how to make those cute little polka dot beach chairs, so dust the sand out from between your toes and get your glue gun ready.


    If you prefer, you can watch an ad-free version of this tutorial on my YouTube Channel HERE.

    Making The Suitcase Tree Stand

    To make the tree stand, I drilled a hole (blasphemy) into the side of the top suitcase, opening up the suitcase and setting the tree stand in the suitcase. I then closed the suitcase with the Christmas tree stand "pole" poking out the top.

    And then that suitcase is just setting on top of the other one. Since the Samsonites are sort of slick, I stuck a sheet of drawer liner between them so the tree wouldn't slide off. Of course you could use construction adhesive to permanently glue them together, but I thought that the drawer liner would be a better choice if I want to use the suitcases for other purposes later. Like actually travel to Florida in style!

    Now, Treetopia has plenty of traditional green trees. But they also have tons of colored ones!!!

    I'm sort of partial to this pink one, but there are tons of other choices if you want to spice it up for the upcoming holidays! Blue, Red, Orange. Even a candy cane striped tree and a rainbow one!

    How to make super cute vintage camper Christmas ornaments. Perfect for a camping, beach or travel themed Christmas tree.

    Other posts you may enjoy:

    Pink Flamingo Home Decor Ideas
    Retro Christmas Decor Around The House
    Retro Handmade Christmas Diorama Ornaments


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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Kris @ Junk Chic Cottage

      July 13, 2018 at 10:51 am

      Just adorable Pam. I have always wanted a real "glamper" like these ornaments. I might have to settle for just an ornament!
      Love the whole tree. So cute.
      Kris

      Reply
      • Pam

        July 13, 2018 at 3:03 pm

        Did you see that a company is making new ones that look like the old ones? Gail from My Repurposed Life just bought one recently. I think it's Gulf Stream, who makes them and they're called Vintage Cruisers 🙂

        Reply
    2. Linda @ Itsy Bits And Pieces

      July 13, 2018 at 10:51 am

      How fun! Your tree is pretty and whimsical, and the camper ornament is adorable!

      Reply
    3. Florence

      July 13, 2018 at 1:57 pm

      So fun and adorable Pam! I just love everything about it...the felt camper ornaments, beach chairs, and that flamingo on top is just right. The suitcases as tree stands are brilliant too. I think you've captured the vintage Florida vibe.

      Reply
    4. Maria

      July 16, 2018 at 8:27 am

      I am in love with your pink vintage tree! Everything about it is perfection. You are so cute to create this. Pinning a well!

      Reply
    5. Pamela List

      July 16, 2018 at 10:45 am

      So much fun. I love the little camper. My friend Tammy is a huge fan of vintage campers. Can't wait to share this post with her!Pa

      Reply
    6. Nikki Gwin

      July 16, 2018 at 5:55 pm

      LOVE the pink tree!! And your ornaments are adorable.
      🙂 gwingal

      Reply
    7. Barbara Chapman ~ French Ethereal

      July 17, 2018 at 6:21 pm

      Such a fun craft to make!!! Might just have to make a few to hang this winter... 😉 Shared and put hashtags for those folks like us who "glamp" all the time. 🙂 Thanks for a fun idea!

      Reply
    8. Pamela

      July 18, 2018 at 5:01 pm

      These are so fun and could be many things. I am thinking coasters!

      Reply
    9. Jennifer Perkins

      July 21, 2018 at 11:29 am

      We are kindred spirits. I am so glad you were in the blog hop with me. That tree is adorable. I used vintage postcards on mine too. Your felt trailers are too cute. I'm going to need to make some of those!!!

      Reply
    10. Becky Neeley

      July 22, 2018 at 8:06 pm

      I cannot wait to see the video on how to make the beach chairs! I already have a pink Christmas tree that I bought at a yard sale for $1! I also have the flamingo tree topper, I bought four of them at The Dollar Tree just this summer! I am excited and ready for Christmas...in July!

      Reply
    11. Linda @ A La Carte

      August 03, 2018 at 2:36 pm

      Just found this post and your blog! So very cute! I love Flamingo's and this tree just calls my name!

      Reply
    12. Amy Anderson

      August 07, 2018 at 1:25 am

      I think I need a pink tree. I'm not sure how I'm going to decorate it yet but it's SO awesome. I LOVE yours!!

      Reply
    13. Becky

      October 24, 2018 at 12:04 pm

      Are you going to do the tutorial for the beach chair ornaments??? Please, please, please!!!

      Reply
      • Pam

        October 29, 2018 at 8:09 am

        I'll put it up this week. I recorded the tutorial on my iphone and had been having problems with editing it, but I think I finally have it fixed. I'll send you an email when I get it up 🙂

        Reply

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