Best Vintage, Antique, & Old Fashioned Christmas Decoration Ideas

If you love the nostalgia of vintage and antique Christmas decorations, indulge me as I share my passion for them and the joy they bring to the holiday season. See some of the best Vintage, Antique, and Old-fashioned Christmas Decor that I use to decorate our farmhouse each holiday season. From architectural elements to inexpensive thrift-store finds, these treasures will bring cozy charm to any style home. Let me show you some of my favorites.

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What Are Vintage and Antique Christmas Decorations

Vintage and Antique Christmas decorations add a timeless, unique touch to your holiday decorating. They bring back memories of days gone by. There are many decorations, ranging from primitive handmade treasures to elegant one-of-a-kind ornaments, from rustic, old-fashioned, but timeless decorations to mid-century modern retro patterns and colors. I love the gently aged patina that invokes a touch of history for an old-fashioned Christmas.

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Vintage and Antique Christmas Containers

I love adding Christmas Trees throughout the house during the holidays, and I also thrift for unique containers to hold them.

Here, I used a wooden hat box and a crusty galvanized bucket to hold a grouping of two small trees.

An antique copper planter is another favorite container for large and small trees.

My favorite Christmas Tree container is this Vintage Antique French Zinc Grape Hod for Gathering Grapes. When I purchased it, I thought I’d use it on my porch; however, it gets so much more attention here every Christmas.

I knew the minute I spotted this antique copper cauldron in an antique shop that I’d use it for Christmas decorations. I’ve used in for our main tree and also for our shiplap tree on the screened porch.

Vintage Boxes

Another favorite thrift-store find is old Christmas-decor boxes. The boxes are as much fun to display as what’s inside.

I love finding authentic Shiny Brite ornaments still in their original boxes. After I decorate the tree with the ornaments, I stack the boxes.

Old Fashioned Baskets For Christmas Decorations

I found the antique basket with a lid at a thrift store for only $5.00. It leans slightly to the side, but it’s still a favorite, and what a deal. Even the antique Coke sign takes on a Christmas feel when paired with a Christmas tree and vintage Christmas children’s books.

Another basket with a lid holds fresh greenery and snow-tipped pinecones to add a holiday feel to the screen porch.

A favorite antique find is the European gathering basket that hangs on the dining room wall. I filled it with faux pine and pinecones this year.

Another slightly less than perfect old-fashioned handmade basket looks amazing for Christmas with two mini trees.

Vintage Christmas Decorations – Shiny Brites

One of my favorite finds for Christmas decorating is vintage Shiny Brites. I’ve found several great deals at consignment shops and donation centers.

This tree is filled with vintage shiny brites and is my most-shared tree ever.

Don’t expect to find a great deal at most antique shops, as they’re pricey. However, don’t give up; keep looking for those deals. I found my last old box for $.99 at Goodwill.

I love using the Shiny Brites on my tree; however, they also look great in a basket, bowl, or vase.

Vintage White Milk Glass

I’ve been collecting vintage white milk glass for several years and love using it to decorate during Christmas.

Decorating a Christmas table with red, silver, and vintage milk glass creates a stunning holiday display.

Inexpensive milk glass bud vases create a unique display when hung on an old shutter and filled with bottle brush trees and Christmas stems.

Anything Red or Green

When I encounter something red or green, I immediately think, “That would be great to display at Christmas.”

This chippy red toolbox is a prime example. I have so many toolboxes I’ve picked up over the year, but I had to add this one for Christmas.

The green in this wooden crate works well year-round, but once the Christmas season begins, I can’t wait to fill it with unique holiday items.

One of my favorite finds is the large red-and-blue enamelware bowl. I love filling it with greenery during the holidays, and the metal reindeer help to create the perfect coffee table centerpiece.

This red metal jug was a more recent find. I can see it filled with Christmas greenery but love it just as it is for a bright Christmas accent.

Vintage Silver and Brass for Christmas

Collections of vintage and antique silver and brass is another favorite way to add sparkle and shine to Christmas vignettes. Silver trays, vintage brass candlesticks, goblets, and teapots all add a perfect festive feel to tablescapes and countertop displays.

Rustic Vintage Thrift Store Finds For Christmas

Another favorite thrift store find is this vintage paper roller. I love filling it with festive Christmas decor each year. Whether you fill it with rustic pinecones or shiny vintage ornaments, the rusted find seems to shine still.

Learn how to add fake snow to your Christmas decor at 2 Easy Steps To Flock A Christmas Tree.

Vintage Christmas Art

Finally, I love adding vintage or thrifted art to my Christmas decorations. This needlepoint-covered bridge is a favorite for my screened porch. Additionally, the cardinal print also works well for the holidays, and I don’t have to worry about them getting damaged since they were so inexpensive.

I’ve started collecting snow scene art pieces, and although most are small prints, they make a huge statement when grouped for holiday decorating.

I hope you enjoyed all these thrifted Vintage Christmas Decorations and ideas.

Thrifting with the Gals

Today’s post is part of our monthly series, Thrifting with the Gals. If you are new to our series, we are friends who share a love for vintage and thrifted decorating. We all live in different parts of the country, but we come together once a month to share thrift store shopping ideas and tips on decorating with your treasures.

Here are the Gals:

• Ann from Dabbling and Decorating finds her treasures as she travels between Vermont and Maine. She decorates both homes with so many vintage treasures.
• Robyn from Robyn’s French Nest loves to travel and bring her vintage treasure to her lovely Florida Home.
• Lora from Lora Bloomquist Create and Ponder is thrifting and picking up amazing roadside finds to decorate her home in Minnesota.
• I am from North Carolina and love filling my farmhouse and beach cottage with thrift store finds. I focus on budget-friendly decorating and DIY projects.

Ann – The Willows Flea Market in Maine / Lora – Christmas Living Room Thrifted Decor / Robyn – How To Use Ornaments For Christmas Decorating

Thanks so much for stopping by! I look forward to sharing my next adventure with you!

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