30 Vintage Christmas Decor Ideas
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Ready for a trip down memory lane?
Nothing beats the cozy, nostalgic feeling of vintage Christmas decor.
Instead of buying new, let’s get crafty and bring that classic charm into your home with these 30 easy and practical DIY ideas.
1. Mason Jar Snow Globes
These are an absolute classic and so fun to make. They’re perfect for creating a miniature winter wonderland that captures the magic of the season.
How to: Fill mason jars with fake snow, mini bottle brush trees, and tiny deer or figurine decorations. Hot-glue the figures to the inside of the jar lid. Screw the lid on tightly and flip it over to watch your tiny snow globe come to life.
2. Retro Ornament Wreath
Dig through your old ornament boxes or visit a thrift store to find mismatched, colorful ornaments to create a festive and unique wreath.
How to: Hot-glue thrifted vintage ornaments onto a foam wreath form. Overlap them to hide the form, creating a full and vibrant statement piece. Add a large ribbon for hanging.
3. Old-Fashioned Paper Garlands
Simple yet charming, these garlands add a delicate, handmade touch to any room. You can use old book pages or sheet music for a truly vintage feel.
How to: Cut out shapes like stars, hearts, or Christmas trees from vintage book pages or sheet music. Use a sewing machine or a needle and thread to string them together in a long, beautiful chain.
4. Vintage Teacup Candles
Turn mismatched teacups into quaint and lovely Christmas candles. They make great gifts or a sweet centerpiece.
How to: Place a wick in the center of each mismatched teacup. Pour melted soy or paraffin wax into the cups, holding the wick upright until the wax sets. Add a holiday scent like pine or cinnamon if you like.
5. Mercury Glass Centerpieces
Create a beautiful and shimmering centerpiece by arranging these elegant pieces. The reflective glass adds a sophisticated sparkle to your holiday table.
How to: Arrange a mix of mercury glass vases and candle holders on your dining table or mantel. Fill them with faux holly, pine cones, and sprigs of winter greenery for a simple, stunning display.
6. Nostalgic Christmas Card Display
Old Christmas cards are little pieces of history. Give them new life by showcasing them as a festive garland.
How to: Clip vintage Christmas cards onto a piece of twine or ribbon using mini clothespins. Hang the twine across a mantel, a wall, or in a doorway for a touch of nostalgic charm.
7. Wooden Sled Decoration
Lean an old wooden sled against your porch or by the fireplace for an instant rustic, cozy feel. It’s a simple decoration with a big impact.
How to: Lean an old sled against the porch or a wall. Drape a plaid blanket over it and add some fresh or faux greenery, pine cones, and a set of battery-operated fairy lights.
8. Retro Light Bulb Garland
Nothing says “old-fashioned Christmas” like the soft, warm glow of large, colored light bulbs. They create a magical ambiance.
How to: String vintage-style C7 or C9 bulbs along your mantel, windows, or doorway for a classic and warm glow. You can find these bulbs at most hardware or home goods stores.
9. Doily Snowflakes
These delicate paper snowflakes are a beautiful and classic way to decorate your windows or add a soft touch to your tree.
How to: Take paper doilies and fold them into quarters. Cut out small notches and shapes from the edges to create a snowflake pattern. Unfold them and tape them to your windows or string them together as a garland.
10. Vintage Cookie Tin Stack
Those beautiful, old-fashioned cookie tins are too pretty to hide in the cupboard. Put them on display in a fun, new way!
How to: Stack old holiday cookie tins in a pyramid shape from largest to smallest. Tie a ribbon around the stack and top it with a small ornament or a pine cone for charm.
11. Classic Red Berry Wreath
Simple, elegant, and timeless. A red berry wreath is a staple of vintage Christmas decor.
How to: Attach bunches of faux red berries and pine branches to a simple grapevine wreath base using floral wire or a hot glue gun. Add more or less depending on how full you want it to look.
12. Old Ladder Christmas Display
Use a rustic old ladder to create a vertical display that adds a unique architectural element to your holiday decorating.
How to: Lean a vintage wooden ladder against a wall. Use the rungs to hang stockings, draped garlands, lights, or even a few hanging ornaments.
13. Burlap & Lace Stockings
For a farmhouse or rustic vintage vibe, these stockings are the perfect touch. They feel warm, cozy, and handmade.
How to: Sew simple stocking shapes out of burlap fabric. Add a trim of delicate lace around the top cuff and a loop of twine for hanging.
14. Vintage Sheet Music Trees
These little tabletop trees are a sweet and literary decoration that adds a charming touch to any surface.
How to: Roll pieces of vintage sheet music into cones and hot-glue them in layers on a cardboard or styrofoam cone to make tabletop trees. Add a small star at the top.
15. Antique Window Frame Decor
Don’t throw out that old window frame! Turn it into a rustic and beautiful wall display that’s perfect for the holidays.
How to: Hang a wreath in the center of an old window frame. You can also drape string lights or a garland across the top for a rustic wall display.
16. Tin Can Luminaries
This is a fun project that creates a magical, twinkling effect. It’s also a great way to recycle old cans.
How to: Wash and dry empty tin cans. Fill them with water and freeze them to make them sturdy. Use a hammer and a nail to punch holes in the cans to create patterns like stars or trees. Let the ice melt, dry the can, and place a small tea light inside.
17. Old-Fashioned Candy Jars
Fill clear glass jars with colorful, old-fashioned candy for an easy, nostalgic display that looks good enough to eat.
How to: Fill glass jars with peppermint sticks, gumdrops, ribbon candy, and candy canes for instant nostalgia. Tie a festive ribbon around the lid for a finished look.
18. Wooden Crate Christmas Scene
Turn an old wooden crate into a miniature holiday diorama. It’s a great way to display some of your favorite small figurines.
How to: Arrange greenery, lights, and figurines inside a vintage wooden crate for a mini holiday scene. You can use fake snow to complete the look.
19. Plaid Blanket Table Runner
For a simple yet effective table runner, use a classic plaid blanket. It adds an instant feeling of warmth and coziness.
How to: Fold a plaid throw blanket down the center of your dining table to use as a cozy runner. The soft fabric and festive pattern will make your table feel extra inviting.
20. Retro Christmas Tree Skirt
Instead of a new skirt, use an old quilt for a one-of-a-kind vintage look. It’s a great way to showcase a beautiful family heirloom.
How to: Use an old quilt, a plaid piece of fabric, or a crocheted blanket as a charming and unique tree skirt. Simply wrap it around the base of your tree.
21. Hanging Mason Jar Lanterns
Give your porch or a hallway a soft, glowing light with these pretty DIY lanterns.
How to: Fill mason jars with faux snow and battery-operated tea lights. Hang them with twine from hooks on your porch or along a railing for a charming, rustic glow.
22. Rustic Pinecone Garland
Embrace the natural beauty of winter with a simple garland made from pine cones and ribbon.
How to: String pinecones on twine or a thick yarn with bits of ribbon tied between them for a simple and natural garland. This is a perfect project for a rainy afternoon.
23. Old Books Christmas Stack
Give new life to old books by stacking them into a clever Christmas tree shape. This is a perfect display for a book lover!
How to: Stack vintage books in the shape of a Christmas tree on a small table. Wrap a strand of fairy lights around the stack for a beautiful and unique literary display.
24. Jute-Wrapped Ornaments
These ornaments look expensive, but they’re incredibly easy to make. They add a great textured and rustic look to your tree.
How to: Wrap plastic or foam balls with jute twine, securing it with hot glue as you go. Add a loop of twine for hanging. You can also add a small bow or a sprig of greenery for extra flair.
25. Vintage Bottle Brush Trees
Small and colorful, bottle brush trees have a charming, mid-century vibe. Arrange them in a group to create a tiny forest.
How to: Arrange bottle brush trees of different sizes and colors on shelves, mantels, or windowsills for a fun, retro look. Add small figurines to create a winter scene.
26. Retro Toy Centerpiece
Use vintage toys to create a playful and nostalgic centerpiece. This is a great way to use toys that have been passed down in your family.
How to: Use old toy trucks or trains to carry tiny bottle brush trees or small wrapped “presents” for a playful holiday display on your dining table or a side table.
27. Handwritten Gift Tags
Give your presents a personal and rustic touch with these DIY gift tags. They are so much more special than store-bought ones.
How to: Cut kraft paper into tag shapes. Use a white paint pen or a chalk pen to handwrite holiday messages on them. Add a small hole and tie with twine.
28. Antique Lantern Decor
An old lantern can become a magical light source for the holidays with a few simple additions.
How to: Fill an old lantern with battery-operated fairy lights, pine sprigs, mini ornaments, or pine cones. Place it on your porch or a side table for a rustic glow.
29. Rustic Chalkboard Sign
Add a touch of farmhouse charm with a simple chalkboard sign. You can change the message whenever you want!
How to: Use a small chalkboard with a vintage wooden frame. Use a chalk marker to write a holiday greeting like “Merry & Bright” or “Deck the Halls” and display it on your mantel or in your entryway.
30. Crocheted Snowflakes
These soft, intricate snowflakes add a delicate and nostalgic look to your tree. You can find them at thrift stores or make your own!
How to: Hang handmade or thrifted crocheted snowflakes on your tree with a simple hook or string for a soft, sentimental, and nostalgic look.
And there you have it—30 fantastic ways to bring vintage charm into your home this Christmas! I hope these ideas have you feeling inspired to get crafty.
Which one are you most excited to try? Let me know in the comments below!
Don’t forget to share this post with your friends and family and pin it to your Christmas board for later!
