These Nostalgic Vintage Christmas Decorations Are Making a Comeback (2024)

They're next-level nostalgic. 🎄✨

By Erin Cavoto
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Something about the holiday season just feels so nostalgic. Maybe it's the smell of your favorite childhood cookies baking in the oven (Ree Drummond loves her mom's sugar cookies) or all the classic Christmas songs on the radio. It might even be the fact that we hold so many old Christmas traditions so close to our hearts. So when it comes to decorating, why not make your home décor just as sentimental with some vintage Christmas decorations? Whether you're looking for ideas to deck the halls with indoor Christmas decorations or need to spruce up your porch with outdoor Christmas decorations, you can always fall back on popular (and festive) ideas from the past.

Some of these you'll remember from your own childhood, like hiding the Christmas pickle in the tree or lighting a tabletop ceramic Christmas tree. We've gathered old-timey Christmas tree decorations like tinsel, Shiny Brite ornaments, and fruit garland. No matter your style, these Christmas decorations are guaranteed to fill your home with that old-fashioned charm. If you like being crafty, there are a few DIY Christmas decorations that are great weekend projects. Make the paper candles to put on your tree, or turn vintage ornaments into a dazzling wreath to liven up your mantel. You'll also find holiday favorites like gingerbread houses and nutcrackers, the latter of which Ree has a particular fondness for. "To me, seeing a nutcracker means the holidays have arrived," she says. So, take a cue from her and travel back in time this holiday season with these vintage Christmas decorations.

1

Dehydrated Citrus Garland

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Dried orange garland is a timeless nod to old Christmas traditions when many would use whatever items they had around their house to trim the tree—including fruit! We love the layered look of citrus slices atop gorgeous evergreen greenery.

Get the tutorial at Spoon Fork Bacon.

SHOP ORANGES

2

Vintage Quilt Christmas Tree Skirt

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Vintage quilts bring nostalgia like no other! Of course you'll want a few of these pretty blankets placed on couches and beds around your home for cuddling up on cold days, but you can also use them to create a fabulous tree skirt.

Get the tutorial at Sarah Hearts.

3

Ornament Mantel Garland

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String together some of your favorite antique ornaments for an eye-catching mantel display that will really tie your entire living room together—especially if you stick to a vintage theme throughout.

Get the tutorial at Lovely Indeed.

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4

Ice Skates

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Hang a pair of old ice skates in your entryway to transform your space into an old timey winter wonderland. The flocked wreath and velvet pillows only add to the look.

Get the tutorial at Love Grows Wild.

5

Giant Finial Ornaments

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There's not much that screams vintage Christmas décor like finial ornaments. After you grab a case (or two) for your tree, you can also DIY these giant versions to hang around your home. Painted items like plastic bowls, cups, and vases come together to make them.

Get the tutorial at Dream A Little Bigger.

SHOP PLASTIC CUPS

6

Nutcrackers

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Ree loves nutcrackers—she used to receive a nutcracker from her grandma every year. These guys grew in popularity after American soldiers in Germany would buy them at Christmas markets. But the Nutcracker ballet's 1954 New York City debut really cemented them as a holiday mainstay in America. Find inspiration from this blogger on how to show off your prized possessions.

See more at PMQ for Two.

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7

Vintage Ornaments Wreath

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If you want to showcase your collection of Shiny Brite ornaments in other places of your home, make this attractive wreath to decorate your door or hang above the mantel.

Get the tutorial at Inspired by Charm.

8

Ceramic Christmas Trees

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Does it surprise anyone that these colorful tabletop trees rose to popularity in the '70s? Get some inspiration from this blogger who creates a retro theme by laying out her ceramic tree collection, along with a vintage ornament garland.

See more at PMQ for Two.

9

Putz Cardboard Christmas Houses

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The cardboard version of these German Christmas houses became a popular midcentury American tradition. If you don't want to set up a whole Christmas village, follow this blogger's lead and use them to dress up an otherwise overlooked space like a cupboard.

See more at Inspired by Charm.

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10

Crochet Tree

Who says "vintage" has to mean sepia-toned, black and white, or rust-colored? Ornaments of the Old World have always had a fun pop of color. Decorate your tree top to bottom in crocheted crafts by following this blogger's lead.

Get the tutorial at Skip to My Lou.

SHOP CROCHET KITS

11

Tinsel Christmas Tree

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Travel back in time to the '60s with this tinsel tree decorated with vintage ornaments. Tinsel used to be added to Christmas trees to reflect the light from candles on the branches. But tinsel used to be expensive and something that only wealthy families had. Luckily, it's easy to come by these days!

See more at Aww Sam.

12

Paper Candles

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Before we had string lights and electricity, people used to illuminate their trees with candles. Pay homage to this tradition by making these paper candles to put on your tree.

Get the tutorial at The House That Lars Built.

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13

Button Ornaments

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Got a vintage button collection? Turn it into art with the help of this fun tutorial, which involves pine branches (faux or real!) and twine.

Get the tutorial at Live Laugh Rowe.

14

Gingerbread Houses

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Gingerbread houses actually date all the way back to the 1500s when they became popular in Germany because of the story of Hansel and Gretel. While you can buy easy gingerbread house kits, check out this cookie version of The Mercantile from the store's very own executive pastry chef Virginia Fistrovich. It includes six pounds of dough and a gallon of icing!

15

Shiny Brite Ornaments

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In the 1940s, the company Shiny Brite opened in the U.S. to bring the popular hand-blown glass ornaments from Germany stateside. You're probably familiar with these glossy ornaments, which often featured intricate patterns.

SHOP SHINY BRITE ORNAMENTS

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16

Vintage-Inspired Tree

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Give your living room a classic Christmas look by borrowing some of these decorating ideas. Use silver bells, lanterns, jingle bells, and burlap banners to feel like you've jumped into one of your favorite classic Christmas movies!

See more at Just Destiny.

17

Vintage Red Truck

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Around Christmastime, you'll start to see these old-fashioned red trucks pop up everywhere. It looks just like the big red pickup truck that sits outside The Mercantile, the Drummond Ranch Power Wagon. Follow these steps to make this pillow to use among your retro decorations.

Get the tutorial at Raggedy Bits.

18

Vintage Christmas Signs

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You don't have to head to an antique store or win an eBay auction to get these adorable vintage Christmas signs. Follow these steps to make your own antique-looking signs and hang them around your house this December.

Get the tutorial at Dream a Little Bigger.

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19

Snow Globes

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Snow globes became popular in the U.S. in the mid-20th century and have remained a popular holiday decoration. You can make your own snow globe, complete with a retro car carrying a Christmas tree home.

Get the tutorial at Mason Jar Crafts Love.

20

Popcorn-Cranberry Garland

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Like many Christmas traditions, this one started in Germany in the 16th century before it was brought to Dutch settlements in Pennsylvania. Because many Americans made their own ornaments back in the 1800s, they often used fruit and nuts for decorations. They would sometimes dye the popcorn to add a colorful effect to the garland.

SHOP NEEDLES AND THREAD

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Erin Cavoto

Erin Cavoto is the Editorial Assistant at ThePioneerWoman.com, covering food, holidays, home decor, and more.

These Nostalgic Vintage Christmas Decorations Are Making a Comeback (2024)
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