21 Beautiful Vintage Christmas Decor Ideas For The Best Retro Feels

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This post is all about the best vintage Christmas decor ideas!

If there’s one aesthetic I’ll never stop obsessing over during the holidays, it’s vintage Christmas. There’s just something magical about those old-world touches that modern decorations simply can’t replicate. Think of Glass ornaments, velvet ribbons, and quirky Santa mugs. They feel so cozy and nostalgic! 

Whether you’re dreaming of a classic look straight out of your great grandma’s collection or want to add just a retro festive touch to a more contemporary space, vintage Christmas decor has a special way of transporting you to a simpler time. Even a few additions can help you add so much personality to your holiday season decor. 

Join me in my current Pinterest-fueled obsession, and let’s look at 21 vintage Christmas decor ideas that will get you right away in the mood for decorating! As a disclaimer, I take no responsibility for the increase in Christmas decor budget this post will cause. You have been warned!

READ NEXT: Decorate the perfect vintage Christmas tree with these 25+ beautiful ornaments!

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Vintage Christmas Decor: The Basics

First things first, let’s clarify what vintage Christmas decor is. The term covers quite a few different styles, so it can be helpful to narrow down your options before you start shopping. Overall, think vintage items from the ’40s to the ’70s: glass baubles, aluminum trees, Santa Claus figurines, and old ornaments with chipped paint and plenty of charm to spare. These pieces often carry family traditions and are passed down through generations. They are also easily available in flea markets and antique shops.

I am providing below a useful breakdown of what pieces belong to which decade. To get an authentic vintage holiday look, you can feel free to mix and match different eras. The best part? You don’t need to completely redo your decorations. Even a few intentional decorative accents can go a long way. After all, vintage decor is also about sustainability and long-term investments. 

Where To Source Vintage Christmas Decorations

You don’t have to be an expert antique hunter or have access to a huge family collection to score amazing vintage finds. When shopping for vintage Christmas decor, make sure to hit these places before investing in new, more expensive (and less authentic) pieces.

• Thrift stores
• Estate sales: the perfect time to find authentic ornaments all year round
• Local antique stores
• Flea markets: search early in the Christmas season to get ahead of the crowds
• Online resellers: check Etsy and eBay for a great deal on vintage Christmas tree ornaments

Of course, you can also look for vintage-inspired ornaments if originals feel hard to come by. Many modern brands create beautiful replicas of Christmas items from decades past. Amazon, for instance, is full of great finds. Mixing older and newer items will make your vintage decor feel a bit more layered and eclectic. I, personally, find that so chic!

21 Vintage Christmas Decor Ideas To Inspire You

1. Lean Into A Colorful Theme

Nothing says retro like vintage Christmas decorations in a bright color palette. Think red berries, pastel pinks, mint green, and electric blues.

Skip the monochrome and neutrals. Instead, embrace the joyful colors that dominated Christmas time between the 1950s and the early 2000s. 

2. Velvet Bows Everywhere

Velvet is such a great way to add luxe texture. And velvet bows, in particular, are easy to DIY and available in large quantities at very affordable prices.

Tie velvet bows around your main tree, stair rails, wreaths, and even napkin rings. Think rich reds, forest green, and mustard yellow. You just can’t go wrong with this idea. 

3. Frame Your Windows With Greenery

You can hang lush wreaths or lush garlands around your windows for an elegant touch of old-world charm.

The natural texture will help bring a simple and organic feel to your decor. It also creates a cozy cottage feel, perfect for a cozy dining room or living room.

4. Use Velvet In Your Tree For Extra Texture

If you like a more formal feel, make sure to swap out tinsel for long strands of velvet.

This adds depth and elegance, while blending beautifully with the glass and felt texture of vintage ornaments.

5. Stack Old Books For A Retro Touch

If you have vintage pieces like old hardcover holiday books or a few thrifted classics, you can stack them on your coffee table.

It’s the perfect choice to elevate an understated but nostalgic vignette. Bonus points if you can display a well-loved copy of A Christmas Carol!

6. Include A Few Vintage Santa Mugs

If there is one vintage item worth investing in, that’s retro Santa mugs. They are the perfect blend of kitsch, classic, and cute.

You can use them to fully stock a cozy coffee bar or simply use them as decor on an open shelf in your kitchen. 

7. Invest In Golden Candle Holders

Taper candles are a must-have of vintage Christmas decor. And what better way to display them than golden candle holders?

They add a festive touch to your holiday display and give that gilded-glam retro vibe that can immediately set the tone for the entire room.

Place them on mantels, console tables, or even as part of your dining table centerpiece.

8. Opt For Vintage Prints To Replace Your Wall Decor

Swap out modern art for vintage holiday decor like framed Christmas sheet music, old ads, or classic Santa prints.

If you’re feeling extra creative, you could even design your own art using Canva! 

9. Add A Vintage Cart To Your Front Porch

Style a rolling cart or vintage sleds with thermoses, plaid throws, and bottle brush trees for cute outdoor decor.

The best part? This solution will help keep your decorations all in one place, keeping the way clear in a high-traffic area like your front porch. 

10. Don’t Forget To Hang Stockings On Your Mantle

I can’t talk about vintage Christmas decor without stressing the importance of a well-stocked mantle. Pick chunky knits or retro needlepoint stockings with classic patterns and traditional colors.

You can even personalize them with names for a sweet personal touch.

11. Decorate Your Staircase With Fabric Bows

If you’re anything like me, a beautifully decorated staircase is one of the first things you think about when someone mentions Christmas decor. To add a vintage twist to this holiday classic, swap out string lights for oversized fabric bows.

Whether you sew them yourself or purchase them, these are statement pieces you’ll be able to use for a long time to come! 

12. Include A Vintage Christmas Sign

If you’re a fan of rustic charm, look no further than a hand-painted wooden sign. You can display this on your porch, by your fireplace, or even hang it as part of your seasonal wall decor.

These signs tend to be available at local antique stores, but you could even DIY it if you can’t find the perfect quote or design you’re looking for. Simple and affordable! 

13. Use Vintage Christmas Matchboxes as Coffee Table Decor

Matchboxes have always been a part of my coffee table decor. They not only enable my scented-candle addition, but also make for a very chic and effortlessly elegant decor accent.

For the ultimate 1950s touch, display vintage Christmas matchboxes in a tray alongside vintage glass ornaments. They will make for such a good conversation starter or take-away gift for your guests, too!

14. Hang Wreaths On Your Cabinet Doors

Hanging a simple wreath on each cabinet door in your kitchen? Simple and impactful, i.e., the dream combo when it comes to seasonal decor.

Make sure to use plaid ribbon or jewel-tone velvet to stay true to the vintage theme.

15. Display Cute Christmas Towels On Your Kitchen Island

Cute Christmas towels and oven mitts are such a great addition to your seasonal decor. Every year, when Christmas time comes around, I always make sure to swap out my kitchen towels, and it makes such a big difference!

To lean into the vintage theme, look for retro patterns and iconic prints that may no longer be very popular today.

Depending on your kitchen island location, this may even become a cute focal point for your working area.

16. Opt For Glass Ornaments

Vintage Christmas ornaments made from glass and hand-painted? Yes, please, as many as you can possibly find.

They’re delicate, beautiful, and bring in that perfect shimmer that screams old-time elegance.

17. Invest In A High-Quality Wool Throw

A good-quality throw is a winter essential. So why not combine practicality and vintage style by replacing your current blanket with a gorgeous wool or cashmere plaid throw?

These pieces do tend to be on the more expensive side. However, they will last you a lifetime and can become a statement accent for your sofa or armchair. 

Personally, I find them so cozy and nostalgic. Let alone the fact that they’re one of the best ways to stay warm while enjoying a good book and a hot drink! 

18. Add Lanterns For The Perfect Atmosphere

Antique-style lanterns filled with battery-powered Christmas lights or large candles offer all the warm lighting and vintage appeal you need to set the perfect holiday atmosphere.

They are one of my favorite things to use on the front porch, as well as by the fireplace or Christmas tree.

19. Include Dried Orange Slices In Your Decor

I like to think of dried orange slices as the more organic and neutral alternative to candy canes when it comes to Christmas decor.

You can drape dried oranges across your tree or mix them into garlands. It’s a creative way to mix natural elements and warm vintage tones without much additional cost to your original decoration budget. 

20. Add Tinsel To Your Tree For Extra Spark

If you love to be extra, vintage Christmas decor is here for you. In other words, bring back all the glitz! Your need for glam + tinsel = a vintage dream come true. 

21. Include Golden Accents With Vintage Bells

Complete your decor with old brass bells hung on doorknobs, wreaths, or even on your tree. They’re timeless, elegant, and ring in the season with style.

I find them an especially good match for neutral homes or farmhouse interiors. So cute! 

To Conclude: Choosing the Best Vintage Christmas Decor Ideas

This post showed you 21 beautiful vintage Christmas decor ideas! 

As we have seen, there’s not a single right way to do vintage. Whether you go full-blown vintage holiday look with antique finds and vintage decorations, or sprinkle in a few vintage finds here and there, the key is to focus on the joy and nostalgia it brings you. Let your personal style guide you and incorporate all the details that remind you of your favorite time of year. 

Also, don’t stress about perfection! Vintage decor is all about intentional layering, having a good time scouring unique pieces, and coming up with a unique way to reuse old items. Forget a perfectly matching decor and let the holiday cheer take over. 

Happy decorating and Merry Christmas! 🎄