20 vintage Christmas ideas to turn up the charm this holiday season

A collection of vintage-inspired decor and gifts sits on a red table top with a stair-step riser against a deep green velvet curtain background; the decor and gift items include a serving platter shaped like a snowman wearing a stove-top hat; a 3-piece set of figurines with light and sound that depict the events of the classic Christmas poem,

When I think of my perfect Christmas, vintage vibes are always what come to mind first. Santa’s sleigh in a dreamy winter scene, rosy-cheeked nutcrackers and red-nosed reindeer, living rooms decked out in pastel red and green décor.

If you’re leaning into the vintage Christmas aesthetic this holiday season, we’ve got lots of ideas to help! Think decorating inspo, cards, party ideas and more to bring your vision to life. Let the nostalgia begin!

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Vintage Christmas decorating ideas  

A collection of vintage-inspired decor and gifts sits on a red table top with a stair-step riser against a deep green velvet curtain background; the decor and gift items include a serving platter shaped like a snowman wearing a stove-top hat; a 3-piece set of figurines with light and sound that depict the events of the classic Christmas poem,

 

With these tips, you’ll feel like you just stepped into a magical Christmas snow globe. What a dreeeam!

  • Choose a traditional icon to spotlight. Think:
  • Go thrifting or antique store shopping and see what goodies you can find. Some great examples:
    • Silver or carved wood serving platters or candlesticks.
    • Jadeite or milk glass pieces for that pastel vibe.
    • Tablecloths in plaid or vintage poinsettia patterns, or doilies.
    • Ornate picture frames to put your fave holiday cards in.
    • Christmas decorations like wreaths, Christmas lights, bottle brush trees, porcelain figurines, nativity sets, tree skirts and toppers, ornaments and Christmas stockings.
    • General décor items like ribbon and green glass jars.
  • Add fun pieces in every room. There are no rules to holiday decorating. Why not make every inch of the house full of festive fun?
  • Use antique picture frames to add to the look. Make black-and-white prints of the pics you want to use to plus-up the vintage look.
  • Incorporate timeless pieces. Part of the fun in adopting the vintage look is knowing you can pass your favorite items on to someone else. Whether it’s a cherished Keepsake Ornament or sweet treasure like this Toymaker Santa nutcracker figurine, there’s something special about saving things for loved ones to hold close one day.

Vintage Christmas card ideas  

A collection of vintage-inspired Christmas cards lays on a pink and gray striped surface with pink velvet ribbon, silver tinsel and gold metallic ornaments strewn around them.

 

  • Before you grab your cards, put a little love into the envelopes with these gorgeous ideas! You can also decorate your envelopes with pretty things like bows, buttons and ribbons.
  • Set the mood. Write your card by candlelight with the fanciest pen you own. Turn on some Christmas instrumental music. If it’s not snowing, play a background video featuring a fireplace and snowstorm scene. During the holidays, there’s no such thing as being “too much”!
  • Pick your perfect cards. We have so many vintage Christmas cards to choose from, with every color and design you can imagine!

Vintage Christmas party ideas  

A collection of vintage-inspired Christmas mugs, including red, white, mint green and pink sculpted Santa face mugs; a sculpted mug shaped like a reindeer head; a sculpted mug shaped like a snowman in a tophat, and a sculpted mug shaped like a dark-skinned, winking Santa.

 

  • Every Christmas party needs a good playlist, so get your guests in on the fun! Have everyone send you one (or a few) of their favorite childhood carols. This Santa’s Flight Christmas snow globe can get the tunes going, too.
  • Treat your guests to something sweet. Set out some old-fashioned candies (peppermints, saltwater taffy, fudge, etc.) in a cute candy dish like this one.
  • Serve vintage beverages. Flip through vintage cookbooks in the library—or better yet, at Nana’s house!—and find some old-school punch or warm cocktail recipes. Then serve them in mugs with a vintage vibe, like these sculpted snowmen (coming soon!), reindeer or Santa mugs. Serving drinks in these Santa mugs in red, mint green, pink and white would be pretty, too.
  • Make it a Christmas costume party. Encourage guests to dress up as their favorite holiday characters (bonus points if they make it more creative than Santa).
  • Have a black-and-white photo shoot. Don’t forget a few fun props, like Santa hats and elf ears!
  • Host a throwback Christmas movie watch party. If you need recs to get started, some of my favorites include:
    • A Charlie Brown Christmas (1965)
    • Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town (1970)
    • Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer (1964)
    • The Year Without a Santa Claus (1974)
    • Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas! (1966)
  • Try some classic holiday recipes. If it’s not too cold to stop by the library, check out a cookbook or two featuring older holiday treats.
  • Swap vintage pieces! If your guests are open to it, you can trade figurines, ornaments and other trinkets to add to your collections.

Vintage Christmas tree ideas  

A collection of vintage-inspired Christmas ornaments sits on a pink surface, surrounded by pieces of red satin ribbon and satin ball ornaments.

 

  • Decide on a color scheme. Are you staying neutral with white and beige, or making it more colorful with reds and greens? Gold plaid or a range of pastels? You have options!
  • Add a garland. They add an easy pop of color and make your tree look infinitely more interesting.
  • Have fun with your tree base. We don’t talk enough about how this can transform your overall Christmas tree look. My grandmother has had a tiny holiday train for years that’s designed to wrap around your tree base. It’s such a unique way to elevate your tree!
  • Incorporate old photos. My grandmother also has several photo ornaments filled with childhood pictures of family members. Some are black and white, others are really grainy and a little tattered, but they all have the same sentimental value.
  • Check out some vintage-themed ornaments, and get excited to start or carry on the tradition of passing them on to someone you love.

Vintage Christmas gift wrap ideas  

A collection of gifts wrapped, boxed and bagged in vintage-inspired gift wrap; the gifts sit on a cream-colored backdrop hung with a simple green garland with red velvet ribbon.

 

 

Voilà! You’re ready to go all out with vintage vibes this Christmas. I hope your inner child (and current adult self!) feels all the warm fuzzies this holiday season.