What’s Old Is New Again
Vintage Christmas decorations are all the rage in the past few years. Jump on the nostalgia bandwagon in these creative ways.
FRAME OLD WRAPPING PAPER, POSTCARDS AND ADVERTISEMENTS
Look for vintage holiday paper goods at garage sales, thrift stores and online. Put them in fun and funky frames for a great vintage look on sideboards, in hallways or as part of a centerpiece. You can also string vintage cards with mini clothespins on twine for a charming rustic accent. Store your finds in a cold, dry, dark place when the holiday’s over to keep them looking great.
ANTIQUE ORNAMENTS
While nostalgia is a huge driver for people looking for vintage Christmas ornaments, there’s also a case to be made for the quality craftsmanship and materials of a previous age. Look for ornaments and decorations with a patina and materials and components that are glass instead of plastic. Older ornaments aren’t going to be perfectly shiny and blown glass may not be perfectly shaped. Also look for a pontil mark, usually on the bottom of a glass ornament, where the ornament was broken off the glass-blowing pipe.
You can also look at the cap. Most older ornament caps — the part that holds the loop or hook on — are simple, not like the filigreed, ornamented caps we have today. The caps may also be stamped with the country of origin. It’s fun to look for countries that don’t exist anymore, like West Germany. Older metal caps may also show signs of oxidation or rust. Some ornaments from WWII-era America may also have paper caps because of wartime metal shortages.
LIGHT IT UP
When you’re looking for lights, it’s best to stick to vintage- look lights instead of the real thing. Electrical wires are susceptible to wear and today’s reproductions are much more energy efficient than their aged forebears. If you absolutely must have a vintage light-up piece, consider snipping the cord so it doesn’t get plugged in and become a hazard.
HANDMADE GOODS
While you’re shopping, keep a sharp eye out for handmade treasures, especially stockings. Crocheted, knitted or handsewn stockings can be a great addition to a vintage Christmas collection. Look for fun embroidery and vintage prints. Remember that some fabrics don’t age as well as others. When not on display, store your vintage stockings in a cool, dry, dark place. If you need to wash them, do so on delicate and lay flat to dry.
Garlands are another popular vintage item that was often usually handmade. Look for glass garlands, sometimes with cellophane or silver tinsel. As it ages, silver tinsel can often take on a golden color that’s gorgeous in your holiday decor.