21 Ways to Use Vintage Items in Your Christmas Decor

Ideas for using vintage items in your Christmas decor

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Hello, friends. Do you love using vintage items for your Christmas decorating as much as I do? There are so many unique ways to use them and today I'm sharing some of my favorites. Take a stroll through the past few holiday seasons at our house and hopefully you'll get some great ideas.

1. Vintage Christmas Ornaments

It goes without saying that vintage ornaments are perfect on your tree. They're so colorful and festive. 

But you can also just place them around the house to add a pop of festive color. 

The vibrant hues make any area ready for the holidays.

They're also great in a wooden bowl with a strand of garland thrown over them.

Find vintage ornaments here: Vintage Mercury Glass Christmas Ornaments

2. Vintage Silver

Another great vintage item to use at Christmas is vintage silverware. Place a few pieces in a little ironstone creamer with some sprigs of boxwood for a simple and quick vignette. 

Or tie an strand of elegant velvet ribbon around a few pieces.

A few years ago I tied some childrens' silverware and sugar spoons to a little tree in the kitchen. 

Find vintage silver here: Vintage Silverware Pieces

3. Vintage Glassware

Green vintage glassware adds a nice punch of color to a holiday table. These were favorites of my late mother-in-law and they're perfect with this tablescape. 

Dress up a rolling cart with some red glasses and candy canes. 

4. Vintage Milk Glass

Milk glass goes with any season and is a fun way to display vintage ornaments. 

Find vintage glass here: Vintage Milk Glass

5. Vintage Glass Cake Pedestal

Add some sparkle to your table by using a vintage glass cake pedestal as a centerpiece. 

6. Vintage Glass Candle Holders

Old glass candle holders are another great vintage item to use at Christmas. Little tart tins are perfect votive holders too. 

7. Vintage Dishes

Christmas is the perfect time to dress up a hutch or shelf with some holiday dishes. 

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These red and white dishes and red trimmed glasses look so festive. 

And the winter scene on these dishes have a more subtle effect but still have a holiday vibe.

8. Vintage Ironstone

Ironstone goes with any color and looks especially pretty with reds and greens at Christmas. I simply added some candy canes to a little ironstone creamer above.

Vintage ironstone mugs are the perfect way to offer hot chocolate mix-ins. 

Shop for vintage mugs here: Vintage Stoneware Mugs

And large ironstone bowls are good for so many things like holding small packages. 

9. Vintage Olive Basket

Vintage metal olive baskets are nice for small trees and branches. They're also great for storing logs, blankets, and toilet paper!

10. Vintage Tobacco Basket

A vintage tobacco basket fills up a large wall space with character and charm. Layer a wreath for a more festive look. 

11. Vintage Throw Blankets

Plaid throw blankets are so cozy at the holidays. Hang them from ladders or simply fold them up and set them out for Christmas charm.

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12. Vintage Sled & Skates

Whether or not you get a white Christmas, it's still fun to decorate with vintage wooden sleds and ice skates. 

Vin Yet Etc

My friend Laurie at Vin Yet Etc made her old hocky skates look pretty with a sprig of holly.  She always has the most amazing ideas for vintage items.

13. Vintage Stoneware Crocks

Old stoneware crocks are so versatile are make wonderful places for branch clippings and small trees. 

14. Vintage Red Wagon

My dad's old red wagon is my all-time favorite thing to decorate our porch with. It's especially nice at Christmas. 

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15. Vintage Sheet Music

Small gifts look so pretty wrapped in vintage sheet music. Red velvet ribbon finishes it off so nicely. 

16. Vintage Quilt Used as Tree Skirt

Got a pretty vintage quilt? Wrap it around the base of your tree for a cozy tree skirt. 

17. Vintage Linens

Vintage linens add such warmth and character at Christmas and any time. Red grain sack linens are especially pretty for the holidays. 

Place them on a flat surface, hang them on a towel bar, or tuck them into bowls and pitchers for a soft touch. 

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18. Jadeite

Serendipity Refined

Jadeite dishes and bowls look perfect with this collection of vintage santa mugs belonging to Kimberly at Serendipity Refined. Isn't it adorable?

19. Picnic Baskets

House of Hawthornes

Pam at House of Hawthornes always has the best vintage goodies. And her vintage plaid metal picnic basket makes a great addition to her Christmas decor. 

20. Vintage Thermoses

Vintage thermoses are another fun thing to use at Christmas. I added my collection to a little wood crate and they look perfect on our living room coffee table. See more of them here: Vintage Thermos Christmas Vignette

Find vintage thermoses here: Vintage Red Thermoses

21. Holiday Punch Bowl Set

Sweet Pea

My friend Paula at Sweet Pea has so many wonderful vintage items, including several holiday punch bowl sets. Aren't they festive?

22. Santa Mugs

For some whimsical fun, use some Santa mugs. Mine aren't vintage but are close reproductions.

Shop for Santa Mugs here: Vintage Santa Mugs

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

P.S. Here are my favorite sources for vintage finds

• Thrift stores (when I'm lucky)
• Estate sales - go here for tips - How to shop estate sales like a pro 
• Etsy

See all of my Christmas projects and decorating ideas here: Christmas Archives.

Want more ideas for using vintage finds in your home? Here are more than 20 ways to use them to oraganize.

 Organizing with Vintage Items

See all of my vintage decorating ideas here: Vintage Decor Ideas.