Vintage Christmas Decor: My Top Picks + How To Style It

Want to add a touch of nostalgia to your holiday decorating? Then this list of vintage Christmas decor ideas will be both helpful and inspiring. Let’s deck your halls with some vintage holiday style!

If you are familiar with my blog and decorating style, you’ll know that I love incorporating vintage elements into my decor. Of course, this also applies to my seasonal and holiday decorating.

It’s hard to believe, but I’ve been sharing my Christmas decor ideas on this blog for 12 years. Over the last decade-plus, I have incorporated vintage items into my space in different ways.

In this post, I’ll walk you through some of my favorite vintage Christmas decor ideas from years past and how I use them to add festive cheer to my home.

What is vintage decor?

Before we jump in, I want to clarify what I mean by vintage decor. In this context, I’m mainly talking about truly authentic pieces that have lasted over the decades.

While there are plenty of stores that offer inexpensive reproductions, the quality of these items isn’t always up to par with true vintage pieces.

That’s why, when it’s within my budget, I’ll almost always prefer a genuine vintage item over a reproduction.

However, there are times when the reproductions make more sense. Whether they fit in my budget better or are just in much better shape, there’s nothing wrong with purchasing something new that’s manufactured to look older. In fact, at Bayberry house, you’ll always find a good mixture of new and vintage items. To me, it adds the perfect balance of character and charm.

Want more? Check out all these Christmas Ideas:

• How I Plan My Christmas Decor
• 20+ Christmas Tree Decorating Ideas
• 130+ Creative Christmas Ideas – my favorite resource!
• The Best Christmas Cocktail Recipes
• My Favorite Christmas Cookies
• Christmas Appetizer Recipes
• The Ultimate Christmas Music Playlist
• How to add Ribbon to your Christmas Tree – highly popular post!
• Creative DIY Gingerbread Decor Ideas – NEW!

Where can I find vintage Christmas decor?

There are so many places you can shop for vintage items. A few of my favorites include:

• estate sales
• eBay
• Facebook marketplace
• Craigslist
• antique store
• thrift stores
• Etsy
• flea markets

One thing I will say is that vintage Christmas items (and vintage in general) gain popularity every year. Because of this, finding really special, unique items has become more difficult and more expensive.

I don’t say this to deter you from decorating with vintage items, but I just want you to be prepped and ready. If you see something you truly love, grab it!

Vintage Christmas Decor Items to Add to Your Home this Holiday Season

To help you get started with your holiday decor, here is some inspiration from my own home.

1. Vintage Santa Mugs

I am a huge fan of these vintage Santa mugs. They add the perfect touch of whimsey to your kitchen (or, in my case, my Christmas butler’s pantry)

These mugs are the result of several years of collecting. Hunting for these cheery mugs has been one of my favorite activities over the last few years.

I also have some new mugs layered in with the authentic vintage ones. I really like the ones from Pottery Barn. You can purchase either the standard size mug or the mini mugs, but I highly recommend both.

You can use these mugs to enjoy hot chocolate or a fun Christmas cocktail. And the little mini mugs are the perfect shot glass size.

See more ideas for how to decorate with these vintage mugs in the kitchen here.

2. Vintage Ornaments

There are so many things you can do with vintage ornaments. If you are looking for the perfect item to start collecting, this could be the one.

Here are just a few of the ways I’ve used thrifted glass ornaments over the years:

• Make a beautiful vintage ornament wreath
• Create high-impact ornament wall decor
• Decorate your Christmas tree (make sure to check out the vintage tree topper in this post too)
• Use them as a bowl filler

While all the projects above used mainly vintage ornaments, you don’t need to have a ton to get started. Almost all my Christmas trees throughout the years have been a mixture of new ornaments along with colored glass balls nestled among the Christmas lights to help fill in the tree.

If you are having a hard time finding vintage ornaments, consider purchasing reproductions instead. There are so many beautiful options these days, like the ones in this gingerbread tree. You can find similar ornaments everywhere from Target to Amazon and anywhere in between.

3. Vintage Tins and Packaging

Tins are a seriously underrated tool in your Christmas decor arsenal. These items are pretty affordable and very sturdy. You can use them as part of your decorating display (like I did here in my entryway) or stack them under the tree for added oomph.

I like using these tins because they can also double as storage if needed. They make the perfect spot to tuck away labels, twine, or any other gift wrapping supplies. You can find some of the vintage Scotch Tape tins here. They are my favorite!

4. Vintage Glassware and Dinnerware

I’ve got a soft spot in my heart for vintage dining items (particularly around the holidays when I’m all about nostalgia).

I’m especially fond of vintage glassware because it can easily elevate your entire tablescape, even if it’s the only vintage item there. You can see what I mean in this vintage-modern Christmas table decor.

Plus, they are fun for making festive cocktails in too!

5. Gift Wrap

Leading up to the holidays, you’ll likely have a stack of gifts under the tree. Why not make the presents themself part of your decor? Not only will you enjoy the look, but the recipient will too.

These DIY vintage bags are one of my all-time favorite ways to package a gift. Prefer to keep it simpler? Stick with plaid wrapping paper and then add one of these adorable printed gift tags on top.

6. Plastic Deer

This is my absolute favorite vintage decor I own. My Gram and Pop started out my collection with three vintage deer, and I’ve kept an eye out for them while thrifting ever since. They are hard to come by but worth the effort!

You can see them displayed on my vintage-themed fireplace mantle here.

7. Garland

It wouldn’t be a classic Christmas without a garland or two! Find some vintage garland or tinsel to bring magic to the basic garland. You can see my vintage crocheted star garland nestled around the pinecones and greenery on my mantel here.

8. Vintage Thermos

I love having a hot chocolate bar a few times a year when entertaining in the winter months. I always pull out this vintage thermos. Not only does it add a festive backdrop to my mugs, but it’s practical too as it keeps drinks warm.

You can see my thermos in action, plus learn how to make a delicious homemade hot chocolate mix here. I even found one to match my gingerbread-inspired tree! It was so perfect!

9. Putz Houses / Christmas Village

On a whim, I started collecting these vintage Putz houses. They are a little quirky and weird which makes me like them even more.

I found that these little vintage Putz houses are fairly easy to come by when I’m out antique hunting. They seem to be pretty affordable too.

1o. Vintage Cookie Cutters

Did you spy another vintage Christmas decor item above? Vintage Cookie Cutters! No only do I use these for cooking making, but I love using them as decor too.

My collection is pretty large at this point, so I use them in two ways. First, I simply tuck them into a bowl as filler. I’m especially fond of the cutters with colored wood handles.

Last year I had the idea to style this small little tree in my kitchen. I didn’t want to buy ornaments, so I opted to use some vintage cookie cutters.

They worked perfectly and I love the look.

11. Brass Candleholder

Candles are the perfect way to add coziness and holiday cheer to any space! If you look at my nighttime Christmas home tour you can spot my vintage brass candleholder in the living room acting as a centerpiece.

That’s a Wrap on Vintage Christmas Decor!

… for now! I’m alway hunting for new vintage goodies, especially Christmas decor!

I hope this post provided some inspiration to keep your eyes open all year long while you are out antiquing and shopping. You never know what you’ll find, which is part of the fun! Happy decorating.