Vintage Christmas Decorations

Whether you love over-the-top elegance, warm homespun charm, sleek modernism or campy fun, there's nothing like vintage Christmas decorations to make your holidays special.

You don't need a big budget or a huge collection of pricey antiques to bring a vintage touch to your holiday decorating. Though some authentic pieces from the era of your choice can definitely set a tone, you can fill your home with period charm, beauty, and fun without breaking the bank. There a world of reproduction ornaments from which to choose, and you can add your own hand-crafted touches at almost no cost at all.

Start by taking the little quiz below to determine what era to go for:

When I think of Christmas decorations, I think of
a. traditional grown-up elegance, with lots of baubles, bangles, and beads
b. homey, touchable, kid-friendly style with a natural touch
c. funny, campy, fantasy fun with a modern edge

My ideal Christmas tree would be decorated with
a. porcelain angels, beaded satin ornaments, velvet ribbon, shimmering pearls, and lace
b. handmade wooden ornaments, strings of popcorn, and personal mementos
c. candy, tinsel, bright glass balls, bubble lights, and cute character ornaments

I think the best colors for Christmas are
a. deep gem tones with loads of gleaming silver and gold
b. traditional red and green, with white accents and lots of natural wood tones
c. as bright as possible

My idea of a great Christmas gathering would be
a. a lavish, multi-course meal served on china and crystal
b. cocoa and cookies with close friends and family
c. a cocktail party

If your answers were mostly a's: Victorian Christmas Decorations are your perfect style. Lush, lavish, and downright decadently elegant, they're the epitome of holiday glamor. The "less is more" modern aesthetic is a million miles away from this regal, multi-layered look, so if you're a "more is more!" type of person, a Victorian theme is what you're looking for.

If your answers were mostly b's: the warm, family-oriented simplicity of homespun pioneer decorations are ideal for you. Some well-chosen handmade ornaments serve as accents to the natural beauty of live green pine boughs, colorful, fragrant fruit, and the glow of a crackling fire. The emphasis is all on the natural, the touchable, and the personal.

If your answers were mostly c's: The glitzy fun of mid-century modern decorations would suit you to a T. Bubble lights, cartoon character ornaments, and unapologetically artificial tinsel trees lit by revolving color wheels will whisk you to the stylish holidays of the 50s, 60s, and 70s.