The holiday season holds a special place in our hearts. As winter approaches, we find ourselves immersed in the joyous atmosphere of Christmas, with its crisp air, twinkling lights, and the aroma of freshly baked cookies wafting through our homes. Amid all this enchantment, vintage Christmas decorations stand as tangible tokens of cherished memories, evoking a sense of nostalgia that warms the heart. In this blog, we will journey through the history of vintage Christmas decorations, exploring the enduring charm of these timeless treasures.
NOMA Bubble-Lites
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NOMA Bubble-Lites transport us to the Christmas of the 1970s, a time when the Atari VCS was the hottest toy beneath the tree, and miniature sausage Christmas trees were considered the epitome of holiday culinary sophistication. These twinkle-laden globe-shaped bulbs, much like their culinary counterparts, have somewhat faded from the contemporary holiday scene. Still, one can acquire modern reproductions of the authentic NOMA Bubble-Lites through none other than Amazon. These Bubble-Lites, much like their predecessors, are adorned with glittering clear liquid that gently bubbles when plugged in, creating a mesmerizing effect when strung around your Christmas tree. Christmas Central has discounts on a variety of holiday products and accessories.
Christmas Icicle Tinsel
Image: Amazon
Legend has it that the tradition of adorning Christmas trees with tinsel originated in Germany during the 1600s when tinsel was crafted from thin strands of genuine silver. However, by the 1950s and 1960s, silver tinsel was replaced by a less costly yet hazardous lead-based alternative. In contemporary times, tinsel is predominantly composed of polyvinyl chloride, a type of plastic that is both safe and budget-friendly, albeit non-recyclable. However, a commendable option available on Amazon stands out due to its construction from polyethylene terephthalate (PET), a clear, lightweight material that is both reusable and recyclable. This package contains a staggering 14,000 minuscule silver tinsel foils, each measuring approximately 20 inches in length and available in classic silver or red and green hues.
Aluminum Vintage Christmas Tree
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Surprisingly, the decline of aluminum Christmas trees is partially attributed to the release of the 1965 classic, "A Charlie Brown Christmas." In the film, Lucy advises Charlie Brown to procure "the biggest aluminum tree you can find ... maybe painted pink!" However, Charlie ultimately selects a natural, modest tree, symbolizing the non-consumer spirit of Christmas. Nevertheless, in recent years, aluminum trees have experienced a resurgence. These trees are prized for their nostalgic appeal and eco-friendly attributes. Some models, such as the aluminum vintage Christmas tree available at Target, even come pre-strung with sparkling lights, rendering them ready for holiday embellishment.
Vintage Snow Globe Carousel
Snow globes are miniature, shakable universes that have captured the hearts and imaginations of Christmas enthusiasts since their invention in Austria in 1900. The fundamental concept of glass domes housing a miniature scene that releases a flurry of winter snow when shaken remains intact. Etsy serves as a treasure trove of artisanal and vintage-style snow globes, such as a handmade globe featuring a gleaming gold carousel and shimmering snow. This snow globe can be customized with your choice of holiday melodies, including beloved classics like the "Nutcracker Suite," "Let It Snow," and "Silent Night."
Vintage Christmas Ornaments Collection
One challenge with authentic vintage Christmas ornaments is their fragility, often causing them to break before reaching the year 2023. However, online, you can discover traditional, vintage-inspired ornaments. Consider a 12-piece set of old-fashioned glass ornaments from The Vermont Country Store, featuring timeless classics such as a spry Santa Claus, a rustic candlelit lamp, and a charming little house. Christmas Ornaments has offers on beautiful ornaments for your tree and house.
Light-Up Blow Mold Christmas Decor
Blow molds, hollow plastic lawn figures shaped as reindeer, gingerbread men, and other festive characters adorned with internal lighting have graced holiday lawns since the 1950s. Although the leading manufacturer of blow molds, Union Products, has ceased operations, other companies have acquired their molds and begun producing modern renditions of these vintage outdoor Christmas decorations. Original blow mold models are now rare and command high prices, but you can find fresh iterations at various retailers, including Wayfair, Ace Hardware, Walmart, and others. A delightful example includes a dog donning antlers, available at Big Lots. This classic blow mold radiates from within and is suitable for both indoor and outdoor use. Christmas Lights Etc has deals on wonderful christmas lights.
Traditional Soldier Christmas Nutcracker Figure
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The history of nutcrackers, tools designed to crack nuts, dates back to ancient times. However, the iconic wooden soldier dolls that we associate with Christmas today didn't emerge until the 17th century when German woodworkers in the Erzgebirge region started crafting these figurines with strong jaws and lever mouths. This German folk art has grown into a beloved U.S. Christmas tradition, partially thanks to the famous ballet "The Nutcracker." While collectible vintage nutcrackers can be exorbitant, more budget-friendly versions are available, such as the Nutcracker figure from Target, which stands at 14 inches in height and is intended primarily for decorative purposes.
Yellow Power Rangers Ornament
As promised, we have returned to the Christmas decorations of our childhood. The Yellow Power Rangers ornament transports us back to Christmas 1994 when the "Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: Alpha's Magical Christmas Special" graced our screens, and belief in Santa still thrived. However, let's refrain from dubbing it "vintage" to avoid feeling our age, shall we?
Bunny Chorus Vintage Christmas Tree Skirt
Image: Amazon
The tradition of using Christmas tree skirts had practical origins shielding floors from dripping wax when real candles adorned trees. With the advent of safer electric Christmas lights, the perilous practice of decorating combustible trees with candles ceased. Nonetheless, Christmas tree skirts continue to serve the purpose of collecting fallen pine needles and concealing the unsightly tree stand. Dress your tree in style with a plush red velvet skirt measuring 48 inches in diameter, adorned with elegant gold embroidery.
Vintage Christmas Train Set
Call us old-fashioned, but a vintage Christmas tree wouldn't be complete without ornaments, lights, tinsel, a tree skirt, and a motorized train looping around it all. The tradition of Christmas tree trains is believed to have begun in the early 1900s when the first electric trains entered the market. Although Christmas train sets have waned in popularity in recent years, you can still uphold this time-honoured tradition with a contemporary replica of an old-fashioned model train set, such as the one available on Amazon. The set comprises 159 inches of straightforward assembly tracks, along with a steam engine that emits the classic "choo choo!" sound.
Conclusion
Vintage Christmas decorations are more than mere embellishments; they are tangible memories of holidays past, filled with nostalgia and charm. As you adorn your home with these timeless treasures, you bring a piece of history to life, creating an atmosphere of warmth, tradition, and joy. In a world that's constantly changing, vintage Christmas decorations provide a comforting link to our shared past and an enduring source of holiday magic. Embrace the nostalgia, and let the timeless allure of vintage Christmas decorations brighten your holiday season.
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