How to Mix Vintage and Modern Christmas Decor

Looking for ways to fill your home with a touch of magic and charm this holiday season? I’ll show you how mixing vintage and modern Christmas decor can create an enchanting vibe for any space in your home.

The holiday season is a magical time of year when our homes come alive with the warmth and joy of Christmas. For me, it’s a time of family tradition, creating lasting memories, and decorating my cottage with festive charm.

I love the timeless beauty of vintage decorations, especially during the holiday season. In this blog post, I’ll share how you can blend old and new Christmas decor, while expressing your creativity and individual style.

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Benefits of Mixing Vintage With Your Existing Christmas Decor

I’ve never found a flea market find I didn’t like. And looking at the vintage style decor in our 1920 old house, I’m sure it is very apparent.

But I also have a lot of modern pieces like the Pottery Barn handcrafted ceramic bowl on my dining table. I’m a big fan of reproductions like vintage-inspired signs and Santa Mugs when I have a hard time finding true vintage options.

Mixing vintage items with your traditional holiday decor has many advantages. Follow along for some of my favorite reasons why you should consider blending these two decorating styles in your own home.

Timeless Elegance

Vintage decor items and antique pieces such as Shiny Brite ornaments, heirloom decorations, and retro-inspired pieces, bring a timeless and nostalgic charm to your holiday spaces. They connect you with the history of the past.

The Christmas season is the perfect time of year for candlelight. I love mixing metals like brass and silver candlestick holders to add interest.

Personal Storytelling

Incorporating vintage pieces into your Christmas decor is a great way to tell a personal story.

You can showcase family heirlooms or vintage ornaments collected over the years, sharing the history and traditions of your family during this festive season.

Above is a shot of the kitchen eating area from our living room.

Sustainability

Reusing and repurposing vintage finds for your Christmas home decor is an eco-friendly choice. It reduces the need for new items and helps minimize the environmental impact of your holiday decorations.

Get creative when repurposing vintage items into new decor pieces. Old window frames or antique crates can be used as festive backdrops or display shelves.

Budget-Friendly

Vintage Christmas decorations can often be more affordable than new, high-end decor pieces.

Mixing vintage items allows you to create a fun and festive look on a budget. Shop around for unique treasures at flea markets, thrift stores, antique shops, or even in your attic.

I cut some of my plastic wreath napkin rings that I found a few years ago and placed both pieces on either side of the lighting fixtures for holiday cheer. This is a great idea for chandeliers as well.

You can find a vintage blanket at a reasonable price if you’re really on the hunt. Vintage-inspired reproductions can look just as festive for Christmas and can cost less than a true vintage piece.

Embrace Modern Convenience

While Christmas vintage decor brings nostalgia, modern decor can be more convenient.

Use modern technology such as LED Christmas lights, remote-controlled decorations, and energy-efficient ornaments to make your vintage-inspired decor more practical and functional.

Versatility

Vintage home decor doesn’t have to be limited to a single theme or era. You can mix and match vintage elements from different times and regions to create a truly unique Christmas vignette.

Why not create a nostalgic look by filling a glass jar with vintage cookie cutters?

How Do You Mix Old and New Christmas Decor?

Mixing old and new Christmas decor can be a fun and creative way to add depth and character to your holiday decorations.

Here are some tips on how to achieve a balanced blend of vintage and modern decor at Christmas.

Group Similar Items Together

Make a statement by grouping similar Christmas decor items. Here are some examples of my favorite vintage and modern decoration mixes:

Use Old Decor in New Ways

Try using your vintage holiday decor in new and creative ways. Put them in a new location, or use
them differently than how they were originally intended.

I cover a lot of my decor, like my vintage silverware, with a glass cloche to add a bit more vintage charm to a vignette.

Use Color and Patterns to Tie Things Together

Whether you choose traditional Christmas colors or a more neutral option, using a cohesive color scheme is an effective way to keep your mixed vintage and new Christmas decor styles looking intentional.

I tried to tie my centerpiece together with color by using patterned napkins with red pomegranates.

Use similar patterns such as plaids to keep with a Christmas theme.

Edit and Curate Your Christmas Decor

My beach cottage is only 1600 square feet so when it comes to decorating, I have to be careful with how much I put out for the holidays.

I have really small spaces for vignettes. So, what may have been my favorite thing last year, might have to sit in the Christmas bin in the closet this year to make room for something new.

Don’t overcrowd your holiday space with too many items. Edit your collections and curate your Christmas decor to maintain a clean and visually appealing look.

Create Vignettes and Centerpieces to Bring Old and New Together

If you’re not sure what vignettes are, they are small, carefully arranged displays that tell a story or create a specific mood.

Creating vignettes is a wonderful way to bring together old and new Christmas decor while establishing a focal point that captures the essence of your holiday style.

Incorporate vintage-style candleholders, trays, or lanterns as part of your table centerpiece. Combine them with modern tableware and linens for the perfect balance this Christmas.

Here’s a great example of mixing old and new. If you have a vintage tree topper, complement it with contemporary ornaments, or vice versa.

Incorporate Natural Elements

My favorite way to decorate no matter what time of year is to incorporate natural elements that bring a touch of the outdoors inside your home.

Fresh greens, evergreen branches, pinecones, holly berries, and twigs have a timeless and classic charm that looks wonderful with old and new Christmas decor.

Greenery, also used in wreaths and garlands, bridges the gap between vintage and modern styles, providing a common ground that appeals to both aesthetics.

Bring a mini Christmas tree inside for a festive holiday focal point.

Other Ways I Mix Vintage and Modern Christmas Decor

Mixing different textures and materials can add depth and interest to your holiday decor. Combine glass, metal, fabric, and wood ornaments to create visual contrast.

Stay True to Your Style. Mix old and new Christmas decor in a way that reflects your personal style and taste. It’s your home, and your holiday decor should make you feel festive and comfortable.

Does Christmas Decor Have to Match?

Christmas decor does not have to match when you’re mixing vintage and modern elements.

It’s about showcasing your unique style and creativity, and you don’t need to create a matching or coordinated look. In fact, I try NOT to!

As you can see in the photo above, I’m sharing several vintage collections on my shelf that don’t necessarily match, but they still tell a story.

My Favorite Christmas Decorating Ideas

This is one of my favorite places to decorate for Christmas. I loved using our red and white vintage transferware collection for last year’s tablescape.

Draping plaid blankets over dining room chairs or laying them on the window seat are great vintage Christmas decor ideas when needing a pop of color or more interest in a space.

Displaying candy canes on a kitchen shelf is another decorating favorite.

Thanks for Touring My Christmas Kitchen

It’s the most wonderful time of the year and a time to make your home cozy, festive, and magical this holiday season.

Combining both new and old decorations is a fun way to decorate and will warm up your home for the holidays. I hope you were able to take away some ideas about mixing vintage and modern Christmas decor after reading this.

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Next up is Linda at It All Started With Paint. You’ll love how she decorated her kitchen for Christmas using mini wreaths.

If you have any questions or additional suggestions, feel free to share them in the comments below. And be sure to share this blog post link with anyone who may find these Christmas decor tips useful.

Until next time,

Happy Holidays!

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