Christmas

About Antique and Vintage Christmas Collectibles

Collectible Christmas items range from antique hand-crafted folk pieces like blown glass tree ornaments, to vintage Christmas decorations and manufactured items like aluminum trees and limited edition plates. All are rooted in longstanding tradition (bells and tree ornaments, for example, have been associated with Christmas for hundreds of years).

Until the Victorian era, most Christmas trees were decorated with candles, cookies, and fruit, but in the mid-1800's German craftsmen began producing blown glass tree ornaments in shapes like stars, fruit, and angels, and the ornament tradition was born...

With the advent of electricity, Christmas lights and lighted trees became popular in stores and homes as the center of the Christmas celebration. Other Christmas decorations became popular as well, including crystal, plates, table decorations and dinnerware, nativity sets, celluloid Santa figurines, elves, reindeer, nutcrackers, and cardboard Putz village houses.

In the 20th Century, major retailers like Sears and Montgomery Ward began issuing Christmas catalogs, which themselves are now collectible. Department stores also featured model train sets at Christmas, helping to establish that tradition. Coca-Cola featured Santa Claus heavily in their early advertising, and Coca Cola Christmas items are now highly collectible.

Whether you're looking for a one of a kind sterling silver tree ornament or a Santa shaped chocolate mold, or simply a fun vintage Christmas record, there's plenty to choose from.

About our sources | Got something to add?

▼ Continue reading

Interviews & Articles

An Interview With Antique Christmas Ornament Collector Jerry Arnold

About 42 years ago, my wife, Darla, went to a very large white elephant sale and found a box of antique Chris… [more]

An Interview with Antique Christmas Decorations Collector Dolph Gotelli

I grew up in a home without any antiques. As a small kid, I started decorating my parents’ home for Christm… [more]

Guest Column: A History of Dimestore Christmas Village Houses

The following is a history of these wondrous little artifacts called cardboard Christmas village houses -… [more]

Guest Column: A Guide to Christmas Antiques and Vintage Christmas Decorations

Ever wonder about that box of vintage Christmas decorations in the attic? From wooden nutcrackers to glass Ch… [more]



Best of the Web (“Hall of Fame”)

Papa Teds Place

Papa Teds Place

Theodore H. Althof, Jr's beautiful collection of vintage dimestore cardboard Christmas 'putz' village houses. Start… [read review or visit site]

Antique Christmas Lights Museum

Antique Christmas Lights Museum

George Nelson's incredibly detailed chronicle of vintage Christmas tree lighting. Browsable by decade and special t… [read review or visit site]

Bohemian Christmas Decorations

Bohemian Christmas Decorations

This simple site showcases over 500 artistic Gablonz glass bead antique and vintage Christmas tree ornaments, made … [read review or visit site]

Old Soviet Christmas Cards

Old Soviet Christmas Cards

This site showcases over 1000 old Soviet Christmas and New Years cards from 1950 to 1990. Browse through page after… [read review or visit site]


Got a site to suggest? Let us know.




Clubs & Associations: Christmas


Other Great Reference Sites: Christmas

Are we missing one? Tell us.

Top eBay Auctions  Help | Get weekly Christmas email

Sorted by        
Vintage Antique German Santa Claus Candy Container Rare$760.00 Ends Sunday 16 bids 97 watchers
1935 Glass Prism Star Christmas Tree Light By Matchless$676.00 Ends Monday 9 bids 52 watchers
Vintage Santa Claus From Good Old Germany Bellsnickel$565.00 Ends Sunday 20 bids 56 watchers
Vintage Antique German Smiling ! Santa Candy Container $510.00 Ends Sunday 10 bids 85 watchers
1971 Wallace Silversmiths Silver Sleigh Bell Ornament$499.99 Ends Friday 5 bids 18 watchers
Old German Reindeer Candy Container 81/2" Glass Eyes$404.00 Ends Wednesday 11 bids 58 watchers
House Of Hatten 12 Days Of Christmas Complete Set$375.00 Ends Tuesday 1 bid 8 watchers
Royal Bayreuth Bavaria Santa Pitcher/creamer...rare$330.99 Ends Thursday 5 bids 20 watchers
Antique German Composition Reindeer Candy Container$305.00 Ends Sunday 12 bids 49 watchers
Fantastic Original German Santa Candy Box$304.00 Ends Monday 3 bids 38 watchers
Towle Sterling Silver Set/12 Days Christmas Ornaments $302.89 Ends Sunday 5 bids 22 watchers
Wallace Peppermint Candy Cane 1981$301.01 Ends Monday 6 bids 11 watchers
7' Evergleam Pompom Aluminum Christmas Tree + Light! A+$300.00 Ends Sunday 22 bids 41 watchers
Vintage 7 Ft Silver Aluminum Christmas Tree$265.00 Ends in 23 hours 33 bids 78 watchers
Vintage 50's Evergleam Pom Pom Aluminum Xmas Tree$260.00 Ends in 1 hour 18 bids 20 watchers
Wallace 1981 Candy Cane Ornament Complete With Box $259.99 Ends Monday 1 bid 12 watchers
Xmas Light Econolite Night Before Christmas Motion Lamp$255.00 Ends Sunday 8 bids 39 watchers
6' Evergleam Aluminum Xmas Tree W/rotating Color Stand $252.00 Ends Friday 5 bids 28 watchers
1987 Old World Christmas Santa W Tree 3rd Edition Light$250.00 Ends Sunday 8 bids 23 watchers
Vintage 7 Ft Aluminum Pom Pom Xmas Tree, 145 Branches!!$227.50 Ends in 16 hours 26 bids 63 watchers
*20* Vtg Mercury Glass Bead Icicle Xmas Tree Ornaments $211.50 Ends in 17 hours 28 bids 39 watchers
Vintage Noma Green Christmas Bubble Light Tree$202.50 Ends Sunday 17 bids 42 watchers
1971- Wallace Silversmith Silver Sleigh Bell Ornament$202.50 Ends Wednesday 8 bids 21 watchers
1986 Christopher Radko Denmark Mimbres I & Ii Ornaments$200.00 Ends Sunday 1 bid 14 watchers
Evergleam Revolving Aluminum Christmas Tree Stand N/r$200.00 Ends Sunday 35 bids 41 watchers
Thomas Nast Merry Old Santa Claus Engraving 1881$199.99 Ends Thursday 1 bid 6 watchers
4 Vintage Reindeer, Mohair,steiff? Early 1900's Wind-up$199.99 Ends Tuesday 1 bid 23 watchers
Large Antique German Santa Claus In Twig Wood Sleigh$198.49 Ends Monday 10 bids 39 watchers
1988 Old World Christmas Santa 4th Edition Tree Light$194.16 Ends Sunday 9 bids 31 watchers
29 Antique German Enameled Metal Miniature Figurines$192.50 Ends Sunday 14 bids 6 watchers
Set Vintage Christmas Nativity Manager Blow Mold Empire$177.50 Ends Sunday 11 bids 23 watchers
1986 Old World Christmas Santa Chimney 2nd Edit Light$169.29 Ends Sunday 6 bids 26 watchers
Green Robe Santa Old German Christmas Candy Container!$157.83 Ends Sunday 9 bids 43 watchers
Antique Brass Sleigh Bells Huge Graduted Set 52" "nice"$157.50 Ends in 22 hours 12 bids 57 watchers
Vtg Bottle Brush Xmas Tree Mercury Glass Ornament Ooak$153.00 Ends Monday 19 bids 30 watchers
106 Vintage Christmas Tree Bulbs Lights Ge In Boxes Nos$152.50 Ends in 1 hour 17 bids 26 watchers
Dresden Ornament, Horse W Saddle, Germany C. 1900$150.00 Ends in 12 hours 1 bid 10 watchers
Evergleam 7 Ft Pom Pom Aluminum Silver Christmas Tree +$150.00 Ends Sunday 18 bids 54 watchers
Waterford Crystal The12 Days Of Christmas Ornament 1982$150.00 Ends in 16 hours 1 bid 13 watchers
Goebel Hummel Nativity Set 11 Figurines Exc. Condition$149.99 Ends Sunday 1 bid 10 watchers
Vintage Aluminum Peco Christmas Tree 6.8 Ft 125 Branch$149.99 Ends Monday 1 bid 14 watchers
1951 Noma White 9+extra Bubble Light Christmas Tree,box$149.95 Ends Sunday 1 bid 13 watchers
Vintage Sparkler Pom Pom 6 Ft Aluminum Christmas Tree$147.50 Ends in 29 mins 23 bids 50 watchers
Large German Mercury Glass "kugel" Grape Ornament-rare$145.99 Ends Monday 6 bids 27 watchers
Huge Old Gobel Hummel Nativity Camel Industrial Decor$143.38 Ends Sunday 20 bids 16 watchers
Rare Vintage 1940 Christmas Figural Light Bulbs Set$142.50 Ends Monday 9 bids 14 watchers
Vintage Revlis Starlite 6.5' White Christmas Tree W/box$142.50 Ends in 28 mins 4 bids 18 watchers
Vintage German Kugel Glass Ornament Grape Cluster Heavy$141.49 Ends Sunday 5 bids 23 watchers
Green Grape Kugel Glass Christmas Ornament$140.01 Ends Sunday 4 bids 37 watchers
Rare Hard To Find 1980 Hallmark Frosty Friends Ornament$135.83 Ends Sunday 18 bids 26 watchers
54" Antique German Feather Tree & Old Ornaments $135.50 Ends Wednesday 9 bids 106 watchers
Vintage Antique German Santa On Sled Candy Container $132.50 Ends Sunday 8 bids 37 watchers
Limited Ed. Folk Art Gift Giver Santa By Leo Smith Iii$130.05 Ends Monday 5 bids 7 watchers
German Christmas Pyramid Candle Carousel$130.00 Ends in 21 hours 1 bid 4 watchers
Royal Merry Christmas Bridge Arch Santa Reindeer Lite $129.40 Ends in 3 mins 12 bids 69 watchers
Gorham Sterling 1352 Elf W/ Christmas Ball Ornament$129.29 Ends Sunday 4 bids 25 watchers
Original Bradford Motion Light Tree Topper$129.01 Ends Thursday 9 bids 6 watchers

»» Get our weekly Christmas email
Right now on eBay



Recent News: Christmas

Source: Google News

Christmas in the Village set for Nov. 28 in Pemberville
Press Publications Inc., November 20th

Riverbank Antique Market will host its Holiday Open House featuring a variety of vintage Christmas collectibles and keepsakes. • Downtown Deco will partner...Read more

Entertainment Calendar
Northwest Herald, November 19th

Antique and vintage Christmas ornaments, one-of-a-kind handcrafted holiday decorations, wreaths, evergreens and more. Information: 815-444-9000 or...Read more

St. Joseph the Worker to hold Spirit of Christmas fair
Whitman Times, November 19th

By Staff reports On Saturday, November 21, St. Joseph the Worker in Hanson, 1 Maquan St., will host its annual Spirit of Christmas Crafts and Antiques Fair...Read more

Weekly entertainment calendar
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, November 19th

Villa Terrace Decorative Arts Museum: "A Very Vintage Christmas," opens Nov. 21 (through Jan. 10), Materials Reconfigured: Marilyn Annin, sculpture,...Read more

Montgomery County religion notes
Washington Post, November 19th

The sale will include new and vintage Christmas decorations, baked goods and pecans. 301-349-2073. Temple Shalom, 8401 Grubb Rd., Chevy Chase,...Read more

Holiday Calendar
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, November 18th

18, "A Very Vintage Christmas" holiday décor display (through Jan. 10), 2220 N. Terrace Ave. (414) 271-3656. Village of Hartland: "Hartland Lights" with...Read more

People Watch: "Saddle Up" in Irvine!
OCRegister, November 18th

"A Vintage Christmas," this year's theme, had guests entering the event center as snow wafted through the air, past a line, on either side, of vintage cars...Read more

Wilmette shops to stay open late Nov. 19
Wilmette Life, November 17th

Get started on your Christmas shopping in local stores Thursday evening, Nov. 19, when businesses in the Village Center will stay open late for a holiday...Read more

Christmas

See also

Tools