20 Unique Vintage Christmas Tree Themes You Need To See In 2025

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This post is all about the best vintage Christmas tree themes!

When you hear vintage Christmas tree, I’m sure you think about silver tinsel, glass ornaments, and the significant fire hazard that is real candles (cute enough that I have to remind myself battery-powered ornaments exist for a reason more than I like to admit). However, a lot of these features can feel a bit overdone, especially if you have been doing vintage holiday decor for a few years already. 

That’s why in this post, I wanted to share some creative vintage Christmas tree themes. Changing up your Christmas tree decorations is one of the best ways freshen up your decor from year to year. It’s also a wonderful occasion to add more variety to your vintage Christmas tree ornaments collection. 

And if you’ve never styled a retro Christmas tree, no need to worry. Plenty of these themes can be recreated even with a small selection of ornaments. I have also made sure to include a few DIY ideas if you’re trying to keep your budget low and your creativity high. 

So, sit down, grab a cozy drink (as all Christmas scrolling requires), and get ready to start planning your favorite vintage Christmas tree yet!

READ NEXT: Check out my hand-picked guide for the best vintage ornaments you can buy online!

20 Vintage Christmas Tree Themes

1. Victorian Elegance

This theme is perfect if you like traditional elegance.

Your starting point will be a rich palette of burgundy, gold, and ivory. You’ll then want to layer delicate lace ribbons and classic glass ornaments.

As a final touch, add antique-style angel tree toppers or candle-inspired lights. So chic; straight out of a Nutcracker painting! 

Must-Have Ornaments: Antique-Style Lace Ribbons | Vintage Glass Ornaments | Angel Tree Topper

2. Mid-Century Modern

The 1950s were all about sleek lines and a playful, colorful spirit. And what better way to lean into this aesthetic than a retro-inspired aluminum tree?

All you need to do is pair shiny ornaments in bold colors with colorful bubble lights. This combo will give your to tree a fun, nostalgic feel.

The best part? You don’t need much more than this. This style retains a strong minimalist element, excluding of course the  color palette. This makes it perfect if you want something quick to realize and that can blend in with more contemporary, simple interiors.

Must-Have Ornaments: Tinsel Christmas Tree | Shiny Brite Ornaments | Traditional Bubble Lights

3. Rustic Cabin Retreat

This is what all my mountain cabin Christmas dreams are made of.

For the perfect vintage and rustic Christmas tree, focus on natural pinecones, burlap ribbons, and wooden ornaments. The warmth and coziness of these materials is paired with a mostly neutral palette that can easily fit into most interiors.

You’ll also want to invest in some warm-tone lighting, especially with traditional candles.

Lastly, add touches like a faux fur or hand-sewn tree skirts to enhance the nostalgic Christmas tree vibe.

Must-Have Ornaments: Burlap Garlands | Wooden Rustic Ornaments | Faux Fur Tree Skirt

4. Snowy Forest Fantasy

Get ready to transform your tree into a winter wonderland with flocked branches and sparkling silver snowflakes.

Your best friends here will be Icicle ornaments and white LED lights. These ornaments are great at mimicking the look of freshly fallen snow, giving your vintage tree a magical glow.

Adding also a few strands of blue tinsel will complete your 1960s, snowy tree decor. 

Must-Have Ornaments: Flocked Christmas Tree | Glass Icicle Ornaments

5. Retro Candyland

One of my favorite types of vintage Christmas tree ornaments are food related. And while we no longer need to bake fresh cookies to hang our trees, this is a theme you can definitely reimagine in a more convent way.

Think candy cane striped garlands, peppermint ornaments, and pastel-colored lights. This is such a fun and playful approach for your vintage Christmas tree.

If you feel like going the extra mile, you could even consider hanging oversized lollipops or more food-themed whimsical ornaments.

Must-Have Ornaments: Plastic Candy Canes | Red Faux Berries | Glass Old World Christmas Candy Ornaments

6. Victorian Winter

If you love Victorian tree but feel they are too formal, this theme is perfect for you. Decorate your vintage tree with delicate lace, charming winter-themed figurines, and soft candlelight.

The combination of cute ornaments and cozy textures will help move away from a more moody color scheme, adding an element of softness to your decor. 

7. Hollywood Glamour

Nothing screams “Golden Age of Hollywood” like a glamorous vintage Christmas tree.

Think metallic ornaments, velvet ribbons, and crystal accents. Overall, you’re looking for gold and silver tones, paired with a luxurious tree topper.

You will basically be turning your tree into the vintage centerpiece of your living room! The best part: this theme will bring so much light and sparkle into your space. This is perfect if you hate the long, dark days of winter.

Must-Have Ornaments: Gold Mercury Glass Ornaments | Mini Silver Vintage Ornaments | Gold Velvet Ribbon

8. Traditional Red & Green

Classics are classics for a reason: they work. Stick to traditional colors with deep red and green ornaments, tartan ribbons, and brass bells.

This timeless vintage tree theme is nostalgic enough to bring you back to simpler times. However, it’s also timeless enough that you won’t get tired of it by the time next year comes around.

Make sure to pair it with natural greenery and other old-style decorations across your space for added authenticity and warmth. 

Must-Have Ornaments: Wide Tartan Ribbon | Brass Bell Ornaments | Red Mercury Glass Ornaments

9. Shabby Chic Charm

Looking for a throwback to the 80s and 90s? Say hello to distressed wood, soft pastels, and vintage lace for a vintage shabby chic Christmas tree.

By layering soft-colored ornaments with delicate ribbons and subtle lighting you will be able to achieve a dreamy, nostalgic vibe. Perfect to pay homage to a style that has become nothing short of iconic over the last 4 decades. 

Must-Have Ornaments: Painted Wooden Ornaments | Pastel Mercury Glass Ornaments | Antique-Style Lace Ribbons

10. Nordic Noel

While Scandi interiors may be all over modern Pinterest boards, there is something about the simplicity of this style that is closely tied to vintage decor.

Retro Nordic ornaments are all bout whitewashed wood, red accents, and minimalist designs. Clean lines and subtle lighting make this nostalgic Christmas theme feel modern but, at the same time, steeped in holiday tradition.

You could also add dried oranges or small wooden figures to bring even more warmth and charm to your holiday decor, especially if you’re working with an artificial Christmas tree.  

Must-Have Ornaments: Vintage Paper Star Garland | Red Knitted Ornaments | Twig Tree Topper

11. Victorian Woodland

You like Victorian elegance but your home leans more into a farmhouse vibe? This is for you.

You can merge the Victorian Christmas aesthetic with rustic woodland elements like pinecones, berries, and wooden antique-style ornaments.

Layering rustic textures with deep, dramatic shades will create a vintage tree straight out of classic holiday stories. 

Must-Have Ornaments: Dried Orange & Wood Ornaments | Pinecone Glass Ornaments | Wooden Beaded Garland

12. Glamorous Gold & Silver

I am usually not the biggest fan of two-tone Christmas decor. I find it comes across a bit flat. However, a metallic theme is an easy way to keep your color scheme simple and your decor impactful.

Vintage gold and silver decor is so easy to achieve with glass ornaments, mirrored accents, and crystal details. These pieces catch the light beautifully and really speak to the elegance of older times.  

13. Pastel Perfection

Jump right into the 1950s and early 1960s with soft pinks, blues, and lavenders. This theme is guaranteed to bring a gentle, whimsical feel to your vintage Christmas tree.

If you like this aesthetic, start by mixing pastel ribbons and pastel glass ornaments. You’ll also want to add matching lights and a complementary tree topper like a vintage star or angel.

Personally, I find pastels to be both so chic and playful!

Must-Have Ornaments: Pastel Bead Chain | Pastel Songbird Ornament | Pastel Velvet Ribbons

14. Retro 70s Vibes

Moving on to the next decade, let’s look at a 1970s theme. Think bold oranges, browns, and yellows combined with shaggy tinsel garlands and disco ball ornaments.

If you’re feeling extra cheeky, you could even include some framed polaroids from your (or your parents’!) 70s adventures. This nostalgic Christmas tree will spark memories while adding a unique, fun twist to your living room.

Of course, don’t be afraid to embrace the kitsch. After all, it was the 70s boldness that led the way for the 1980s craziness! 

15. Victorian Garden

Even as a long-time fan of winter (sorry summer girlies, I cannot relate), I have to admit I do miss spring flowers sometimes.

Luckily for us, Victorian decor is also heavy on the florals. Mix floral patterns, lace and velvet ribbons, and soft lighting to create a garden-inspired Victorian tree.

I especially love this theme as it will make your living room feel romantic, cozy, and absolutely timeless.

Must-Have Ornaments: Green Velvet Ribbon | Floral Vintage Ornaments | Faux Flowers

16. Old World Christmas

Vintage Christmas trees often have an eclectic element to them. They combine, almost effortlessly, rich colors, antique-style ornaments, and vintage glass pieces.

This specific type of curated “mess” is often referred to as the “Old World Christmas” aesthetic. The secret to it? A carefully curated collections of unique pieces that don’t match each other.

While you can invest a big budget into putting this together in one go, I would strongly suggest you opt for this theme only if your selection of vintage ornaments is big enough. After all, what makes it so special is the history and authenticity it evokes. 

Must-Have Ornaments: Anything Old World Christmas, you just can’t now wrong with them!

17. Gothic Moody

Go all out with your moody feels for a Victorian/Gothic take on the vintage Christmas tree.

Think burgundy velvet, black lace, deep red candles. anything that screams antique drama is appropriate. Keep the metallic accents to a minimum and opt instead for flickering candle light.

This theme is ideal for a moody home or even if have a very minimalist space. For instance, a tree like this would fit perfectly a black and white living room. So chic and unexpected!

Must-Have Ornaments: Antique-Style Lace Ribbons | Deep Brown Glass Ornaments | LED Burgundy Taper Candles

18. Retro Brites

What is this you ask? An homage to the Shiny Brite company, which mass-produced millions of affordable glass ornaments in the U.S. from the 1930s to 1970s.

Anything bright, bold, and glass is on-theme. From bubble lights and vibrant tinsel garlands to striped ornaments and multi-color baubles, the options are endless.

This is definitely a more cheerful theme that leans heavily into a whimsical and somewhat kitsch aesthetic. 

19. Victorian Romance

Soft pastels, lace, and vintage ornaments are what you need if you want to soften Victorian elegant with a more romantic edge.  

The layering of delicate textures and more subtle, feminine accents, are sure to give your tree a very girly and nostalgic feel. 

20. Nostalgic Tree

While this theme is not strictly vintage, I would say it takes on a vintage approach to Christmas ornaments. Especially in the 90s and early 2000s, decorations were all about family memories and handmade crafts.

Spend some time DIYing new ornament from family heirlooms and old photographs. 

This theme is ideal for a living room where the holiday season is all about cherished memories and shared traditions.

To Conclude: Picking The Right Vintage Christmas Tree Themes For Your Space

This post showed you 25 amazing vintage Christmas tree themes!

Whether you’re craving Victorian elegance or a more joyful and colorful theme, the perfect vintage Christmas tree is all about a curated ornament collection full of history and personal memories. Forget about perfectly matched ornaments and the latest, trendy pieces influencers are showing you. Embrace the process of trying out new aesthetics, and don’t be afraid to go all out once you do find a theme that resonates!

Happy decorating! 🎄