14 Wonderful Ways to Use Vintage Finds in Your Christmas Decor

Are you a fan of all things antique and vintage? I’m sharing some wonderful ways to use your special vintage finds for Christmas decor.

Here’s a little something you should know about me… I LOVE searching for the perfect antique and vintage treasures any chance I get.

It could have something to do with the fact that I live in a 1920 beach house. When you live in an old house, it’s easy to gravitate towards anything charmingly vintage.

Don’t want to spend a lot of money on decorating for the holidays? Incorporating thrifted items with your Christmas decor is an affordable decor option.

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Where are Some of the Best Places to Shop for that Favorite Thrift Store Find?

The Christmas season is my favorite time of year to decorate. When it comes to home decor Christmas shopping, there are several options to choose from.

• an antique store or antique mall
• garage sales
• estate sales
• Etsy sellers
• flea markets
• your local thrift store
• Facebook Marketplace

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Use Your Vintage Finds for Christmas Decor

In this post, I’m sharing some of the ways I’ve used antique and vintage items in my Christmas decor over the last few years.

So let’s take a look at some of my favorite finds and Christmas items for the holidays and how they fit right in with the rest of my home decor.

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Spruce Up Your Vintage Dishes

Styling vintage dishes for Christmas can be so easy and look beautiful all dressed up for the holidays. It’s the perfect time to spruce up an open shelf or hutch and make a gorgeous holiday statement.

Showing off your beautiful pieces for the holiday season is as easy as adding a sprig of greenery, some pinecones, a few berries, or some ornaments.

It’s easy AND inexpensive to give your space an entirely festive holiday look.

I’m still on the hunt for more vintage transferware and ironstone pieces to add to my collection.

I love the way that blue and white vintage dishes look during the holidays which proves that you don’t have to display only traditional Christmas colors to make a seasonal statement.

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Deck the Halls with Vintage Christmas Ornaments

I have several sets of vintage ornaments here and there, but not quite enough (yet) to make a statement on any of my Christmas trees.

But that’s not stopping me from displaying vintage ornaments in a dough bowl or styling them in a vintage wooden crate.

Whether your Shiny Brite ornaments are hanging on the tree or filling a beautiful bowl, these vintage Christmas ornaments make the most beautiful statement for the holidays and can make great gifts for friends or your favorite hostess during the season.

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Use Vintage Containers to Display Christmas Decorations

There are no limits to what you can use to show off your holiday decor.

I’ve used rusty chicken feeders, wooden dough bowls, old wire baskets…the list goes on and on. Find your favorite vintage container and fill it with whatever makes you happy.

Whether you find a pitcher in silver, pewter, or copper, this flea market find will always make greenery or a floral arrangement look fabulous.

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Bring on the Warm & Cozy Vibes With Vintage Throw Blankets and Quilts

Vintage plaid throw blankets add so much warmth and coziness to any space, inside or outdoors, during the holidays.

I have them hanging over every chair for that “charm factor” we all want to have in our homes during the holidays.

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Wrapping a vintage throw around the base of your Christmas tree is a great idea for a tree skirt. You can also hang several on a ladder leaning up against a wall.

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Brighten Up Your Holiday Space With Vintage Thermos Collections

I fall in love every time I see a collection of vintage thermoses. There is something so magical about how they look all displayed together on an open shelf or cabinet.

Jenn at Down Shiloh Road has the BEST collection seen above. I personally love the white and aqua combination.

Unfortunately, I haven’t had a lot of luck with finding many vintage thermoses but I haven’t given up yet. Hopefully, I’ll have my own collection to show you next year.

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Arrange Stacks of Vintage Books for Any Holiday Vignette

Vintage books can be added to any Christmas vignette for that perfect finishing touch. These gorgeous books from Jaysworld are one of the best ways to add interest to any holiday decor.

Another great way to use vintage books this holiday is by mixing them in with your Christmas tablescapes. And the best part is that they are a perfect way to add height to any vignette.

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Fill Your Vintage Stoneware Crock With a Mini Tree or Greenery

Thrifted stoneware crocks are a great find for the holidays and can be used as a small tree container. You can find vintage crocks at most thrift shops these days.

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Add Christmas Character with Vintage Galvanized Buckets and Pails

I love using galvanized containers during the winter holidays.

They are one of the best ways to show off your small trees. In fact, vintage galvanized pails, buckets, and tubs can all make great containers for any Christmas tree, depending on the size.

This vintage galvanized pail makes a wonderful container for fresh greens and seasonal flowers on my dining table. I placed 3 mason jars filled with water inside the bucket so this arrangement would stay hydrated.

Faux branches would look just as lovely in a galvanized container.

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Create Wintertime Vibes With Vintage Sleds

I LOVE vintage sleds, especially when they’re all dressed up for the holidays. I consider old sleds one of my favorite finds, especially when I can get a great deal.

Whether you’re decorating your vintage sleds for the front porch or in your home, they are the perfect home decor for the season.

Decorate them with ice skates, greenery, a wreath, bells, or a scarf. Just use your imagination.

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Bring on a Ski Lodge Feel with Vintage Snowshoes, Skis, Poles & Boots

You can get really creative when it comes to holiday decorating with vintage snowshoes and skis. These are some of my favorite things to use for holiday decorating.

I just found my first pair of vintage snowshoes at an antique mall for $75 which is the cheapest price I’ve seen during my search over the past few years.

Becuase I haven’t had a chance to decorate yet, I’m sharing a picture of my friend Molly at Molly in Maine‘s snowshoes. Didn’t she do the most amazing job decorating for Christmas?

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Show off Your Holiday Vignettes Using Vintage Wicker & Metal Picnic Baskets

This green vintage plaid metal picnic basket makes a great addition to the other Christmas decor displayed on my cottage kitchen open shelving. 

Wicker and metal picnic baskets are so charming and one of my favorite ways to add character while decorating my kitchen for Christmas. I’ve found some really unique pieces on Etsy and here and there at flea markets and thrift shops.

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Display Santa Mugs for Some Holiday Cheer

Santa face vintage mugs add such a whimsical touch to Christmas decor. Whether they are vintage or vintage-inspired reproductions, they’re a must for the holidays.

I was lucky enough to find 3 more to add to my pair of Santas a couple of weeks ago at some local thrift shops.

There are so many great ideas for decorating these cute little holiday mugs. Add bottle brush trees, berries, greenery, or ornaments to make them more festive.

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Bring on the Bells for the Perfect Christmas Accent

This is the first year I’ve used bells in my Christmas decor and I can’t understand why I didn’t use them sooner.

I just found these for $9.50 at one of my favorite antique and vintage shops, Saltwater Antiques in Poulsbo. I was so excited to find such a great deal.

I’ve also found other vintage bells and vintage-inspired bells in the past couple of weeks but haven’t had a chance to decorate with them yet.

Add vintage bells to a wreath, your favorite stockings, your Christma tree, or holiday swag.

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Create the Right Mood with Vintage Candle Holders

I’m mixing metals this holiday season using my brass candlesticks and some new silver and peter candlesticks I purchased earlier this year.

I love adding candles and candle holders to mantels, coffee tables, tablescapes…just about anywhere in my home for a soft holiday ambiance.

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Visit My 2021 Vintage-Inspired Christmas Home Tours

• Vintage Inspired Cozy Cottage Style Christmas Home Tour
• A Very Vintage Inspired Christmas Cottage Bedroom Tour

The next time you’re trying to think of an easy way to up your Christmas decorating game, visit an antique shop to find some amazing vintage pieces that will mix in perfectly with the rest of your holiday season decor.

What are some ways you use vintage items in your Christmas decor? Leave me a comment below and let me know!

Until next time,

Happy Thrifting!

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More Vintage Inspiration for the Holidays

Every month I join my friends Stacy and Jennifer to bring you thrifting finds and vintage inspiration. Be sure to read their blog posts to see more. Their links are listed below.

Stacy | Bricks ‘n Blooms

My friend Stacy is sharing 5 easy mantel decor ideas for Christmas.

Jennifer | Cottage on Bunker Hill

My friend Jennifer has some great budget-friendly ideas for your Christmas decorating this year.

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