A Vintage Christmas Decoration Guide: History & Values
Vintage Christmas decorations embody the magic of old-fashioned Christmas celebrations that so many of us try to recreate. And that’s just one of the reasons why these nostalgic decorations are so very popular. Another relates to their incredible charm that makes them simply irresistable.
In this article we’re going to take a look at a variety of vintage decorations, from bottle brush trees to Shiny Brite ornaments, from mercury glass garlands to Santa Claus.
Christmas Decoration History
Christmas trees and all their glorious decorations have a somewhat mysterious origin. We know that people in northern climates, admired pine trees for their “ever-green” nature and used them to decorate their homes during long winters.
Medieval Germans began to decorate evergreen trees with apples and called them “paradise” trees, after the Garden of Eden. Historians suspect that some families began to leave their “paradise trees” up through Christmas and eventually (sometime in the 17th century), Germans adopted them as part of their Christmas celebration.
In 1848, Queen Victoria encouraged her German husband, Albert, to decorate a tree as he had in Germany, and the tradition caught on in both England and America. Decorated with sweets, glass ornaments, and candles, the trees became widely popular.
By 1870, Germany exported huge numbers of glass ornaments, manufactured via a “cottage industry,” made up of individuals and families who fashioned the ornaments in their own homes.
After the World Wars, America and Japan joined the fray and began producing their own decorations, based on the beloved German ones. It is these that I’ll be talking about in this post–vintage Christmas ornaments.
Bottle Brush Decorations
As the story behind bottle brush trees and wreaths goes, the Addi’s Bottle Brush Company out of England began to dye their toilet bowl brushes in post-war times and assemble them into Christmas trees.
In any event, vintage decorators and Christmas decoration collectors love them. They sell quite well from my antique booth and on Etsy.
This brush tree–an exceptional example–sits on a glittery wooden base stamped “Japan.” It holds four pretty pink presents, and displays gold garland, glass ornaments, and crushed glass type of “flocking” (c. 1940’s). Value: $40-45
Related Articles
Candy Containers
Candy containers in interesting shapes and sizes (and made out of many materials, like paper mache, cardboard, glass, and plastic) have been popular since the late 19th century.
Another area of Christmas collectibles is candy containers. Often there is nothing about the piece that indicates it held candy because it looks like a stand-alone decoration, like these plastic boots (c. 1950’s).
But there would have been a piece of card board glued or tucked into the top to hold some special treat inside the boot.
This is the first one I’ve ever owned that has the ribbon and the paper around the top still attached. Many fine examples of older containers were made in Germany, this newer one was made in the USA. Value: $6-8 each
A felted cardboard candy container shaped like a boot (c. 1940’s). Value: $10-12
Ceramics
You can easily find kitschy ceramics, produced in abundance by Japanese companies like Napco and Lefton, at thrift stores and garage sales for a few dollars. They add a spirit of fun to any attempt at holiday decorating.
Vintage ceramic snowman and snowwoman salt and pepper shakers (c. 1950’s).
Value: $12-15
Vintage ceramic planter by Napco, featuring Santa and his sleigh (c. 1950’s). Value: $30-40
Christmas Tree Pins
Who knew Christmas tree pins were so popular?!! Collectors especially look for those signed by companies like Gerries, Monet, and Eisenburg.
Of all the Christmas motifs used by jewelry manufacturers to make pins, Christmas trees are number one. This gold tone example with enamel ornaments and faux pearl (signed “Gerrys”) sold a couple of years ago on Etsy (c. 1970’s). Value: $20-25
Unsigned pins without any rhinestones, like those you see above (c. 1960-70’s), are less popular those those with both. Value: $7-10 each
- Related Article: A Christmas Tree Pin Collecting Guide
- In the Member Library: A Christmas Tree Pin Cheat Sheet (subscribe to get access)
Composition Decorations
The term composition referrs to a plaster of Paris-type of material frequently used in the “olden days” to create faces in particular.
This pair of Santa’s (c. 1950’s), with paper mache (or composite) faces, have “Japan” tags and measure about 4″ tall. Their suits are made of felt, with white pipe cleaner trim. They have cotton beards and plastic boots. Value: $18-25 for the pair
Another Santa figure (5″) with a composition face and felt body (c. 1930’s-40’s). Value: $18-25
Elf on the Shelf
In the 1960’s, elves on the shelf, also called knee-huggers, enjoyed great popularity, but not compared to their current popularity.
They took Christmas by storm about four or five years ago, and now-a-days these cute elves find themselves the cause of all kinds of mischief. People enjoy using actual vintage elves or brand new ones; it doesn’t seem to matter.
Elf-on-the-shelf figures have taken on a life of their own the past several years. Parents dream up all kind of escapades for their elves to get into.
Knee hugger elves like this one (c. 1960’s) are almost as popular and sell quite well on eBay. Value (w/condition issues): $5-6
This charming knee-hugging elf sitting atop a mistletoe sphere (c. 1960’s) sold quickly on eBay a couple of years ago. Value: $25-30
Ephemera
Ephemera collectors who focus on Christmas look for all kinds of items to add to their collections and/or to decorate with: advertsing, postcards, wall decorations, and greeting cards to name a few.
National Geographic published Coca Cola ads on the back of their magazines for years, and December’s often featured Santa, like this one from 1957. He’s looking very jolly. Value: $5-8
Collectors love Christmas-themed postcards, particularly early examples made in Germany. Likewise, buyers snatch up anything cat-related, like this adorable postcard featuring two kittens under some mistletoe (1920). Value: $6-7 if perfect.
Erzgebirge
Erzgebirge is a village in Germany known for its production of wooden toys, including darling villages comprised of buildings, trees, fences, people, and animals. Nutcracker figures are perhaps the most well-known items, which they introduced in the 17th century.
A vintage wooden Erzgebirge village made in Germany (c. 1970’s). Value: $30-40
Glass Ornaments
Germany is known for its production of glass Christmas ornaments, which began as early as the 14th century as a cottage industry. Over time the craft spread to Czechoslovakia, and eventual Japan and the U.S.
Newer Santa, sheep, and snowman glass ornaments (c. 1990-2000’s). Value: $6-10 each
A distinctly Italian glass ornament in the shape of an ice skater (c. 1940’s-50’s). Value: $40-50
Gurley Candles
Made in Buffalo, New York, Gurley candles captured the imagination of consumers from their inception in 1939. I can remember my Grandmother’s Thanksgiving set (from the 1950’s) complete with pilgrims and a turkey.
Look for the cardboard tag on the base of each candle, which should read, Tavern or Gurley. You can also pick up new versions of the old shapes from the Vermont Country Store in Weston, VT.
A pair of large (4.5″) Gurley candles in the shape of a choir boy and a choir girl (c. 1950’s).
Value: $10-12 each
A set of three smaller (3″) Gurley candles: two Christmas trees and a Santa Claus.
Tree value: $5-6 each, Santa value: $6-8
Mercury Glass Garlands
As with glass ornaments in general, mercury glass beaded garlands originated in Germany; however, it’s rare to find German examples out in the wild. Japanese examples are much more common.
Mercury glass results from the silvering of the inside of free-blown glass. The coloration is achieved on the inside of glass.
The beads come in a variety of different colors, sizes, and even shapes. Some are double-beaded. Most measure 70 to 90 inches in length and are strung on white string. The ends are tied off with a piece of cardboard shaped like a circle, square, or star, though sometimes this have torn off.
These three sets of mercury glass garlands–pink, multi-colored, and gold–were likely made in Japan. Earlier examples would have been made in Germany or Czechoslovakia. Value: $30-40
Note: A multi-colored garland is available for sale on Etsy.
Paper Mache
Paper mache (or paper pulp) decorations like this large (10″) Santa figure (c. 1900-10’s) are highly collectible. So sad about his missing leg, right? Value: $80-100, if in good condition
Picks
Small decorations, usually on a stick, form the “pick” category of Christmas decorations. Early examples (c. 1940’s-50’s) decorated with small glass beads or ornaments were often worn as a sort of corsage. Later plastic examples (still in production) are typically used to decorate cupcakes.
A pair of mercury glass floral picks with silver leaf behind (c. 1940’s). Value: $5-6 each
A collection of plastic cupcake picks, including Santa’s, snowmen, snowflakes, and a wreath (c. 1970’s). Value: $10-15 for the lot
Plastic Christmas Decorations
The invention of new-fangled plastics in the mid-20th century led to the manufacture of all sorts of Christmas decorations.
A red plastic Santa in his sleigh with two silver reindeer (c. 1950’s). Value: $25-30
A frosty plastic sphere with a cute diorama inside: an angel band with bottle brush trees (c. 1960’s). Value: $18-25
Putz Houses
Putz is a German word meaning “decorations” or “trappings”, which has come to refer the quaint villages that can be created using these cardboard houses, bottle brush trees, and wooden animals.
Originally intended as candy containers, Putz houses developed into mere decorations that could be lit up by placing them over Christmas lights.
Most that you see on the market today were manufactured in Japan. They often feature loofah or bottle brush trees, cellophane or paper doors and windows, and rough mica-covered surfaces.
Shiny Brites
American made Shiny Brites are in many ways the epitome of mid-century Christmas decorations. Every five and dime store sold them at very reasonable prices, so today they abound at garage sales and flea markets.
Look for the “Shiny Brite” name or “Made in U.S.A.” on the metal cap. The most unique and unusual garner the highest prices, of course.
Collectors avidly look for indented ornaments like these three that also have mica decoration. Value: $20-30 for all three
Collectors would jump to buy these these less common, glitter-decorated Shiny Brites in their original box. Value: $30-40
These darling mercury glass bulbs, often referred to as “feather tree bulbs,” show significant wear but are nonetheless quite collectible. Value: $12-15 for each box
Stockings
A (vintage) needlepoint stocking featuring Santa by a fireplace (c. 1980’s).
Value: $25-35
This is exactly the stocking I had as a child–with my name instead of Ray, of course! It’s a common style of vintage (c. 1960’s) stocking and the name detracts from it a bit.
Value: $10-15 if in better condition.
Tree Toppers
A 15″ Father Christmas tree topper (c. 1980’s) wearing a velvet coat and carrying a small Christmas tree. Value: $40-50
Note: Two similar Santa tree toppers are available in my Etsy shop.
The wax head on this angel tree topper from Germany (c. 1970’s) makes it attractive to collectors. Value: $70-80 (available)
Wooden Christmas Decorations
A set of bendy wooden figures (c. 1930’s).
Value: $30-40
A wooden pull toy featuring a lithograph of Santa (c. 1950’s).
Value: $45-60 (available)
Other Articles You’ll Enjoy
Conclusion
Have you been inspired to look for more vintage and antique Christmas? I hope this article serves as a guide for you as you make your purchases and begin selling them, whether on line or from your antique booth.
If you enjoyed your visit, I hope you’ll subscribe!
You’ll receive a FREE copy of my eBook,
10 Vintage Items Often Overlooked & Undervalued at Garage Sales:
I like them all, but those Shiny Brites are fabulous! My parents had lots of them – at least I thought it was a bountiful supply – and I wish I had them now. I know I can still get them, but it wouldn't be the same. I had another favorite when I was little, little bubbling lights. Your lovely post brought back lots of memories!
Oh boy Diana, do some of these bring back memories from my childhood. Thanks for the trip down memory lane!
Marie @ The Interior Frugalista
I'm a vintage Christmas gal, thanks for sharing some history on that era. I love the German glass ornaments, shiney brights and bottle brush trees!
What a great collection of vintage Christmas. I didn't know that about the bottle brush trees, that's kinda funny. Thank you for sharing this at my History & Home link party! Dawn @ We Call It Junkin.com
I can pick out several of these in my own collection of vintage Christmas. My favorites are the bottle brush trees and wreaths.
Love the vintage Christmas! We don't have as much of it here in Canada as in the USA.
You know I LOVE vintage Christmas! Thanks for linking up to TTF @ Melissa's Antiques!
Thanks for sharing fabulous information. It' s my pleasure to read it.I have also bookmarked you for checking out new posts.solar energy
We have one of the Santa ornaments that you didn't know about. My mom said it's definitely from the 1960's because she got him as a gift when she was little.
The little spun cotton and pipe cleaner cuties could have been made to be a gift ornament! It would have bent about the bow.
Such memories!! Thanks for sharing.
Do you often see vintage painted small santa claus egg nog (?) cups?
I have half a dozen from the old days…each one has different open/closed eyes. The handles are the curved top of Santa’s hat…….
Whenever I (rarely) see them these days, the paint is chipped…..
When I was growing up in Ohio, my mother hung red bottle brush wreaths on every snowy window in our little home. I am now trying to collect my own wreaths
and wonder if anyone knows if there is a way to straighten the flattened parts of a bottle brush wreath? Any ideas would be much appreciated.
Thank you and happy holidays!
Linda from California
Ohh I just inherited 3 boxes of the Shiny-bright ornaments from grandma. They are stunning and ombré and iridescent. I’ve never seen ornaments like these even now days. The boxes are original and I believe the tag says 1.49 or .49 lol can’t make it out. There’s 12 per box. They are like metallic or mirror like, then multi colors running into each other I guess you’d call them ombré before they were! There’s pink, into silver into blues, purples and silvers. Someone offered me 25.00 for the box of 12 I said ummm no no… they are stunning!
This was a wonderful trip down memory lane for me, too. When my oldest son was a year old, we didn’t have much money and I woke up one day right before Christmas, and someone had tossed a box of ornaments in my yard.
I saw the box through the window and went out to pick up what I thought was trash, but inside I found numerous Shiny Brite glass ornaments and some other nostalgic items. It was such a great gift, right out of the sky!
Diana, I wonder if you ever run across the German, green, glass pickle ornaments. What do you think those would sell for?
What a poignant Shiny Brite story Eileen! Thanks for sharing it with us 🙂 When we visited Germany with our kids, we actually bought each of them a tiny pickle ornament as a memento. I’ve not come across any vintage or antique pickles though. Price-wise it would depend on their age, size, and condition, so it’s hard to say.
They can be easily purchased in most German communities in the U.S. I got mine in New Braunfels.