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.

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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

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Top eBay Auctions  Help | Get weekly Christmas email

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Father Christmas 19th Century German Candy Container$960.00 Ends Sunday 9 bids 29 watchers
Large Vintage German Santa Rare Hard To Find Buy it Now$620.98 Ends Monday 15 bids 42 watchers
Evergleam 8' Aluminum Christmas Tree 121 Branch Pompom$535.00 Ends in 24 mins 40 bids 76 watchers
Fabulous Hugh Vintage C-6 Bubble Light Tree ~ 24 Lights$511.50 Ends Monday 8 bids 47 watchers
Vintage Musical Germany Christmas Tree Stand, Feather$399.99 Ends Thursday 1 bid 8 watchers
Antique Lador Musical Rotating Christmas Tree Stand$380.00 Ends in 4 hours 18 bids 30 watchers
Antique Old German Glass Ornament - Palmer Cox Brownie$355.00 Ends in 17 hours 11 bids 57 watchers
Anri Carved Wood Creche Nativity Set 6 Figures & Stable$321.99 Ends Wednesday 2 bids 26 watchers
Wallace 1981 Candy Cane Ornament Complete With Box $300.00 Ends Monday 6 bids 24 watchers
Vintage Old German Glass Ornament - Three Faced Animal$266.00 Ends in 17 hours 11 bids 40 watchers
7' Aluminum Pom Pom Silver Christmas Tree Light Deco $255.00 Ends Sunday 22 bids 63 watchers
Antique German Blown Glass Clown Christmas Ornament$227.30 Ends Tuesday 4 bids 35 watchers
Evergleam 7' Silver Aluminum Christmas Tree$203.01 Ends in 7 hours 41 bids 26 watchers
Rare Antique 9 Christmas Tree Light Bulbs--amazing Lot!$200.00 Ends Monday 4 bids 16 watchers
Rare Vtg 1966 Beco Motorized Light-up Santa Blow Mold $199.00 Ends Wednesday 2 bids 16 watchers
2 Blow Mold Christmas Poloron Reindeer W/antlers Stand$199.00 Ends Friday 1 bid 15 watchers
Vintage Lefton Christmas Girl Sleigh Salt Pepper Shaker$180.27 Ends Sunday 10 bids 29 watchers
Primitive Folk-art Christmas Cloth **santa Claus Doll**$180.00 Ends Sunday 6 bids 55 watchers
~rare~ Red/green Pom Pom Aluminum Christmas Tree!$178.49 Ends Monday 13 bids 38 watchers
Evergleam Trilite Aluminum Christmas Tree Stand Turner $173.49 Ends Sunday 18 bids 41 watchers
Antique Christmas Bulbs Uncle Sam Victorian$171.50 Ends Sunday 8 bids 28 watchers
German Type Santa Driving A Pine Cone Car With Ark$169.35 Ends in 23 hours 15 bids 57 watchers
Antique Old German Dresden Ornament - Lady's High Boot$169.16 Ends in 20 hours 5 bids 30 watchers
Vintage Old German Glass Ornament - Angel With Child$167.30 Ends in 18 hours 5 bids 55 watchers
Vintage Old German Glass Ornament - Cat Head On Clip$164.50 Ends in 19 hours 9 bids 65 watchers
1970 Gorham Sterling Silver Snowflake " 1st " In Series$159.50 Ends Monday 8 bids 11 watchers
Gorham Snowflake Ornament Sterling Charm Bracelet 1970$158.49 Ends Monday 9 bids 35 watchers
Vintage Empire Large Blowmold Nativity 13 Pcs. Light Up$152.50 Ends Monday 4 bids 28 watchers
Vintage Evergleam Aluminum Christmas Tree Stand$152.50 Ends in 1 hour 6 bids 53 watchers
Vintage Evergleam Aluminum Christmas Tree Stand$152.50 Ends Sunday 7 bids 37 watchers
Antique Feather Christmas Tree$152.50 Ends Sunday 5 bids 31 watchers
Hallmark Frosty Friends 1980 Cool Yule Ornament W/ Box!$150.00 Ends Sunday 14 bids 43 watchers
Antique Dresden Christmas Ornament, Wedding Slipper $149.54 Ends Sunday 6 bids 21 watchers
Vintage Telco Motionette Santa Christmas Elf Animated $130.00 Ends in 16 hours 12 bids 9 watchers
7' Deluxe Evergleam Pom Pom Aluminum Christmas Tree$127.50 Ends Sunday 5 bids 43 watchers
Vintage Old German Glass Ornament - Large Blowfish$125.50 Ends in 18 hours 9 bids 22 watchers
Vintage 6 1/2" Aluminum Pom Pom Christmas Tree, 1960$125.01 Ends Tuesday 2 bids 39 watchers
Vintage Old German Glass Ornament - Cat Head With Cap$124.50 Ends in 17 hours 6 bids 32 watchers
Vintage Santa,1920s, Marvelous Condition! 8" , Germany$123.10 Ends in 58 mins 11 bids 10 watchers
Antique Paper Mache Santa Claus Real Fur Beard$119.50 Ends Wednesday 7 bids 22 watchers
Waterford Crystal Christmas Ornament 1982$119.50 Ends Tuesday 8 bids 22 watchers
5 Level German Pyramid Christmas Wooden Candle Carousel$114.50 Ends Sunday 2 bids 5 watchers
Evergleam Stainless Aluminum 6ft Christmas Tree W/stand$112.50 Ends in 16 hours 33 bids 35 watchers
1961 Aluminum 7 Foot Pom Pom Christmas Tree -new In Box$110.00 Ends Wednesday 2 bids 16 watchers
Anitque Santa Claus Large Glass Ornament$108.50 Ends Sunday 13 bids 34 watchers
Vintage 60's Silver Glow Aluminum Christmas Tree$106.49 Ends in 29 mins 11 bids 32 watchers
Rare Animated Christmas Telco Motionette Elf Must See!!$105.00 Ends in 21 hours 14 bids 22 watchers
Old Peco 6' Aluminum Christmas Tree 91 Branches Pompom$105.00 Ends in 25 mins 16 bids 49 watchers
Vtg 50s Hartland Plastic Christmas 19pc Nativity Figure$103.79 Ends Sunday 7 bids 25 watchers
7' Aluminum Christmas Tree W/ Color Wheel And Turner!$103.50 Ends Sunday 4 bids 21 watchers
Rare 1890's Dresden Silver Slipper Christmas Ornament$103.50 Ends Monday 4 bids 30 watchers
Vintage Ceramic Christmas Tree$102.50 Ends Sunday 8 bids 18 watchers
Rare German Christmas Ornament Indian In A Canoe Nice$102.50 Ends in 2 hours 2 bids 7 watchers
6 Foot Aluminum Pom Pom Christmas Tree$102.50 Ends in 16 hours 5 bids 9 watchers
German Santa Girl Candy Container$102.50 Ends Tuesday 2 bids 17 watchers
1982 Waterford Crystal 12 Days Of Christmas Partridge$102.50 Ends Thursday 4 bids 15 watchers
Antique Paper Mache Christmas Belsnickle Santa W/ Tree$100.00 Ends Monday 2 bids 30 watchers
Poloron Santa Torso Blowmold For Christmas Sleigh$100.00 Ends Monday 1 bid 2 watchers
German Dresden Victorian Bi Plane Feather Tree Ornament$99.99 Ends Thursday 2 bids 11 watchers

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Recent News: Christmas

Source: Google News

OLD RED BARN ESTATE AUCTION SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 7th, 5 PM ROUTE 211 & 209 ...
Antiques and Arts Weekly, November 6th

bronzes, a door-stops, Mettlach, Black Forest deer, Tiffany vase, cut glass, Roseville, textiles, vintage Christmas items, more. OVER 700 LOTS TO SELL...Read more

Gifts and Goodies Galore
Greater Lansing Business Monthly, November 5th

During the first weekend of November, Lambs' Gate holds a holiday open house, featuring vintage Christmas items, ornaments and feather trees...Read more

Portsmouth parade applications due by Nov. 16
Foster's Daily Democrat, November 4th

The theme of "A Portsmouth Christmas" was chosen to coincide with the citywide "Vintage Christmas" celebration launched by the Music Hall and Strawbery...Read more

Gardener's almanac
The Wichita Eagle, October 30th

Participants will use a vintage Christmas postcard piece, trinkets, ribbon flowers, vintage lace and other trims to make their collages. The cost is $40,...Read more

HOLIDAYS: Bazaar Calendar
Mid Columbia Tri City Herald, October 30th

The bazaar will feature art, antique furniture, vintage Christmas decorations, handmade quilts, wood cookstove and collectible glassware...Read more

Places to go: A dash of Pink along with some candy in a store and in the wild
Fort Worth Star Telegram, October 29th

The Red Shed offers French antiques, vintage decor, vintage Christmas items, chandeliers, art and jewelry. Red Shed Tours will also be taking deposits for...Read more

SNEAK PEEK: Kate Moss for Topshop nightwear!
instyle.co.uk, October 26th

Kate Moss's new Christmas collection is out this Thursday – and we simply can't wait! As well as gorgeous party dresses, Kate has this year expanded the...Read more

Holiday bazaar set for Elwood
Anderson Herald Bulletin, October 17th

There will also be religious items, gift baskets, apple and pumpkin butter, wood crafts, new and vintage Christmas decorations, handmade soap, floral items,...Read more

Christmas

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