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 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.)
Updated For The 2023 Holiday Season
This post was originally published in December 2018. It's been recently improved to include updated shopping links for 2023 and additional information on my vintage holiday obessions The year may have changed, my love of vintage has not.
Top 5 Iconic Vintage Christmas Decor Items
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 traditional set of 4 Santa mugs that look just like the vintage ones. Seriously, it's hard to tell them apart from the original version.
They also have little mini Santa mugs. Shot glasses, if you ask me. But hey, I'm not judging what you drink out of Santa's head.
And they even have a matching Santa pitcher you could fill with Tom & Jerry drinks. The holiday drink, not the cat and mouse. (I have a recipe showing you how to make traditional Tom & Jerry drinks HERE).
Not into traditional red and white in your holiday decor? They do have plain white glazed Santa mugs if your aesthetic is more subdued Christmas colors.
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 were from my mom's house, but I have found quite a few at estate sales and thrift stores also.
This tree also has some handmade pipe cleaner ornaments I created to look like the 1940s originals. I have instructions and downloadable faces to make this super easy craft in my post titled Chenille Pipe Cleaner Christmas Craft.
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 Shiny Brite Tinsel Garland that would look great on a vintage-style Christmas tree. And even a whole small Shiny Brite Tabletop Tree (a little tree with ornaments) if you want to just buy it all together and throw it on the coffee table.
I have also seen boxes of Shiny Brites and Shiny Brite tree toppers sold at HomeGoods, but that's sort of a crap shoot since each store has different items in stock at different times.
(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 I 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:
Wayfair carries this retro-styled ornament wreath this year. The ornaments are shatterproof, which is a good thing in my house, so you get the look of vintage without the fragility of vintage.
Grandin Road has an interesting take on this type of wreath by using mixed greens, lots of colorful ornaments and battery-powered lights. It all combines for a fun look!
Of course, Etsy is a GREAT place to find these types of wreaths using ORIGINAL vintage ornaments. One of my favorite sellers is Kitschmas Wonderland whose 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 come back 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 2023!), but I did find some similar snowman for you. Ace Hardware has a 40" very vintage-looking Union Products snowman version. It's based on an original blow mold mold from the original Union Products company so they tend to have that same very old-style look. Ace Hardware also carries a fun 3 ½ foot Santa for the porch also made from the original Union Products molds.
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.
Traditional blow mold Christmas porch candles are always a fun way to decorate the porch for the holidays! Or you can't go wrong with a Toy Soldier beside your fireplace.
And Walmart has this amazingly cute 24" vintage-style reindeer blow mold! Doesn't she look like Clarice in the Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer Movie?
I just bought this one for myself last week. Not really based on a vintage blow mold, but very retro-looking!
WARNING - they also had these last year and she sold out VERY quickly.
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 question!
Of course, Etsy and eBay are great if you want authentically vintage ones.
I've seen the new battery-operated LED ones that have the same look without the cord at Target and Amazon sells corded versions. All mine are corded, but I can see where the battery-operated ones would be convenient for a mantel or dining table.
Psst - You there. The ceramic Christmas tree lover. Yeah, you! - You have to check out Ariel at PMQ For Two's lineup of ceramic trees on her sideboard! Stunning!
Speaking of ceramic Christmas trees, I picked up the little guy in the photo above at a local antique store. It's cute at just 10 ½" tall and oh-so colorful!
What's your favorite vintage inspired item to collect for Christmas?
Pam
COMMENTS FOR THE GIVEAWAY ARE CLOSED NOW.
Wendy
Love love love your vintage vibe and the way you put it all together! Thanks for sharing with us!
Leanna
Love vintage Christmas stuff and all of the beautiful inspiration on your blog! Merry Christmas!
Diane Walgrave
Sweet post Pam, once again! Like all the many comments here, love vintage and love that you showcase so many beautiful ways to use your vintage finds. I have 'borrowed' many of your ideas. I have a decent-sized ceramic tree, made in the 70's. My aunt worked at Federal Reserve Bank in Minneapolis as a secretary to one of the top guys there. She was always bringing home surprises, lots of crafty people at the bank. One day when she stopped by, up popped her trunk and out came what was about to be my new ceramic tree. Unfortunately, Aunt Sophie bumped the top of my tree against the top of the trunk, and about four inches of tree cracked off. It was glued back on, and I glued all the bulbs in place, scattering the many colors as best as I could. One of my first crafting attempts as a teenager! Besides the crack, which is barely noticeable, my 'bag' included a green star. Green? I still have my pretty tree, happily gracing my sofa table, beautifully lit, but a small plastic blue bird sits on top.
Brenda D
Vintage Christmas items are the best ! Great memories ! I so enjoy putting items out at Christmas that have been handed down in my family.
Sunny C
Pam; What a Wonderful Giveaway!!! Thank-You so much for the chance!!!
I would Love to win this tree, as it looks like the same one that my Great Aunt had.
I Loved as a Child to sit and stare at the lights on her tree. When she passed, her Christmas tree had disappeared.
This would mean so much to me, if I won it.
Happy Holidays Everyone!!!
Betty
I love all things vintage ♡ My Grandmother made a tree like this that had 'cracked' marble lights. Would love to win this small tree and bring back memories 🙂
Terri Nichols
Oh Pam what a delightful give away. One year I did ceramics and have nothing to show for it but a Christmas tree. I gave it to my mom and I have no idea if she still has it. She’s lost her ability to communicate so I can’t ask her. I love your posts! Merry Christmas!
Tammy Scott
All 5 of these were an intricate part of my childhood and I ain't no spring chicken. It makes me laugh when my grandchildren think this stuff is a new trend. I really appreciate your appreciation!
Marla Van Wig
I love your blog, thank you for all the inspiring ideas. Have a wonderful holiday season!
Jimmy Fancher
Love your blog! Merry Christmas!
Deb
I love vintage at Christmas. I have a set of vintage mugs from my childhood along with many other goodies. Each year I set up little christmas displays in my hutch to resemble the store window displays I enjoyed in the city as a child at Christmas time.
Donna M
I love blow molds! So happy they are coming back. We bought a couple this year and I still have several from my parents.
Jo
I have gotten rid a plenty of decorations and just keeping some of my childhood. My mom one of the ceramic trees
Diana Lucas
Love this post! Always looking for vintage Christmas items and I appreciate you passing along where we can find these. Thanks!
Leslie Schmidt
The older I get, the more I"m drawn to vintage decor. I have small collections of vintage items, such as Shiny Brights, Gurley candles, and ceramic decor such as candle holders and candy dishes. I have one ceramic Christmas tree that was made for us by my mother-in-law. I don't know if that constitutes vintage or not. I love the look of the large grouping of the trees that other blogger posted. Very festive.