Vintage Christmas Decorations For The Home And Tree

Decorating with vintage Christmas decorations makes me feel all warm and cozy. Many of my vintage decorations bring back memories of my grandmother’s house on Christmas Day. Those are good memories, but sad too, because I miss those days so much. 

Some vintage decorations remind me of Christmas shopping trips to Sears, Woolworth’s, and Kress’s Department Store. I loved looking at the store decorations. Christmas has always been my favorite holiday.

I’ve been collecting old ornaments and vintage treasures for years, and I still smile every time I unpack them.

The ornaments on my tree are a mix of vintage Shiny Brite pieces, old German-made ornaments, and newer ornaments from my thrifting adventures. I also have a few sentimental ornaments tucked in the tree – ornaments my son made me when he was small.

A vintage Christmas feels warm and familiar. It’s not about perfection—it’s about charm and love. Think shiny glass ornaments, old-timey silver tinsel, and tiny twinkling lights.

You can’t go wrong if you decorate every surface in your home with Christmas! A vintage hand-painted Santa plate and glass Christmas tree are mixed in with my Christmas dishes on the China cabinet shelves in our family room. 

How to Decorate With Vintage Christmas Style

If you are starting your vintage Christmas decor collection, begin with a few special pieces and display them with your existing decor.

• Start with what you love. Maybe it’s a set of old Shiny Brite ornaments or your grandma’s vintage Putz houses. Pull those out first.
• Mix old and new. Combine vintage pieces with newer items that have the same feel—like mercury glass ornaments and silver ribbon.
• Add texture. Mix ceramic angels and Santa’s with greenery and ribbon. It will give your decor a cozy, layered look.

• • Display collections: group bottle brush trees, old Christmas cards, or vintage figurines on a mantel, bookcase, or side table.

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• Use warm lighting. Soft white lights or even old-style bulbs make everything glow just right. 

The little Christmas house has a hole for a light in the back. The light is very soft but pretty at night when we turn the room lights down low. 

Where to Add Vintage Christmas Touches

• The Mantel: Hang knit stockings, tuck in a bit of greenery, and add vintage candleholders or ceramic Santas.

Ms Evie made this Christmas stocking out of an old quilt.

The brass sleigh and reindeer are a must on our mantel every year for Christmas. The hubby purchased them in Korea about 40 years ago.

• The Entryway: A vintage metal wreath, a pair of old boots filled with greenery, a Christmas-themed pillow, and lights set the tone for guests.
• The Tree: Mix in old ornaments, tinsel, and handmade touches, such as crocheted snowflakes, strings of popcorn, or dried orange slices.

• The Kitchen: Bring in old cookie tins, a small tabletop tree decorated with cookie cutters, or red-and-white dish towels.

A look at the kitchen bar area covered with paper goods, canisters filled with homemade candy, and more junk.

The China cabinet in the dining area is filled with my Spode Christmas dishes (all bought at a deep discount after Christmas over the years) and other pretty stuff. 

• The China Cabinet: Pull out the Christmas dishes, vintage crystal butter dishes, fancy wine glasses.

It used to take me hours to get everything just perfect in the cabinet, but now I can do it in about 30 minutes.

Not a very good photo of the display on our dining table, but I set it up like this every year. I bought the fancy Christmas houses at a local small business home decor store about 15 years ago so they will be vintage pretty soon.

Two of the cake stands are vintage. I love cake stands because you can do so much with them.

The vintage rooster is a cherished piece inherited from my sweet mother-in-law. 

One of the two Christmas decorations I purchased last year is the naughty pillow. It says nice on the opposite side, but this side fits me better. I paid $10 for it at the antique/vintage store. I love red.

Another look at the tree. I’m keeping an eye out for a vintage tree skirt. Maybe one handmade.

And another. What can I say? I do love this tree, and I did a bang-up job! I ordered the tinsel from Amazon here.

Thanks for being here, Kathy

Last update on 2025-11-28 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API