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’s 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 or pale pastels 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 Christmas folk art is 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 a retro Christmas complete with 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.

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Vintage Christmas Crafts
	Manufacturer: Sterling/Chapelle Customer Rating:   List Price: $14.95 Sale Price: $101.55 Availibility: View Product Availability
Product Description
Go back in time and add charm to the holidays with these four unique decorative crafting styles: Victorian Vintage, Shabby Chic, Country, and Personal Vintage. For each, you'll find directions for projects, ideas for decorating, and enticing pictures to inspire and evoke nostalgia. Craft cardboard villages just like Grandma used to. Make new ornaments look antique and aged, as if they were passed down through the generations. From a gathering of lighted tapes glowing on the floor, to red ribbons tied around the banister, to wreaths, Santa Claus figurines, and food heaped everywhere, each design is glorious.

Unleash your imagination when it comes to selecting Victorian Christmas ornaments to go with your holiday theme. In just about every aspect, from size and shape to color, texture, subject, materials and more, the sky’s the limit.

One of the most delightful things about holiday decorating with an 1800’s theme is the era’s over-the-top aesthetic; the lavish elegance of period holiday decor uses rich colors for drama, multiple layers to make a big impact, and a “more is better” attitude toward embellishments.

This carries through to all aspects of the holiday decor of the period, but nowhere is it more gorgeously expressed than in the the profusion of ornaments the decorators of the day used everywhere. Here are some tips on how to select, create, and use ornaments in your period holiday decorating.

Think outside the modern decorating box
Round glass balls may be the backbone of modern holiday ornments, but in a Victorian theme the possibilities are endless. Flowers, fans, angels, cherubs, large Santa figures, gift boxes, character figurines, dolls, and even fancy shoes are among the classic decorations of the era.

Elaborate embellishment is one of the charms of the decorative items of the period, so look for items with lots of detail, including beading, tassels and charms, pendants, paintings of people or scenes, and anything that gives additional sparkle.

Paper was a popular material for authentic period decorations. In addition to large, elaborately printed heavy paper figures, the Victorians also used Christmas cards and other printed scenes on the tree and in arrangements.

Delicate filigree shapes are classics of the era. Look for stars, bells, and miniature gift boxes made of metal or gilded paper filigree.

Elegantly economical: make your own decorations
Antique decorations can be pricey and hard to find, but there are lots of excellent reproductions available both as individual items and in sets. But if you’re stretching your holiday decorating budget, creating Victorian Christmas ornaments for your tree can be easy, economical and fun. Here are some examples to spark your creativity:

- Fold wrapping paper into fan shapes and embellish with lace, ribbon, artificial flowers, or strings of craft beads or pearls.

- Shape by-the-pack paper doilies into cones and fill with brightly-wrapped candy

- Use dried babies’ breath and silk flowers to create mini bouquets that you can embellish with lace and ribbon and tuck among the boughs.

- A glue gun and a few yards of assorted ribbons, lace, braids, and craft pearls, beads, and chain can turn a pack of inexpensive satin balls into period masterpieces.

- Make oversized tassels of decorative rope combined with with craft chain, beads, pearls, and ribbon.

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Reed & Barton Red Paisley Heart Blown Glass, Christmas Ornament
	Manufacturer: Reed & Barton Customer Rating:   List Price: $69.00 Sale Price: $29.50 Availibility: Usually ships in 2-3 business days
Product Description
Red Paisly Heart Glass Blown Ornament is mouth blown, hand painted and decorated by highly skilled artisians. Features a small coat of arms charm identifying it as a Reed & Barton original and is presented in an elegant keepsake gift box.

Lush and lavish are the key concepts in Victorian Christmas decorations. Rich colors, luxurious fabrics, and splendidly over-the-top embellishments make this style the epitome of sumptuous holiday elegance.

The Victorian period (1837-1901) was known for strict rules of behavior that regulated everything from ettiquette to morality, but the styles, fashions, and tastes of the day were anything but Puritanical. In both Europe and the US a burgeoning middle class were enjoying the economic effects of the industrial revolution, and they reveled in displaying their newfound affluence.

In an era when even everyday items were often ornately decorated, the holiday season was an annual explosion of color, shine, and exuberant rococo profusion. Here are some tips for giving a Victorian air to your holiday decor.

Use color to set the mood
The Victorians loved color and used it everywhere, sometimes in combinations that we would find surprising today. But very bright shades (including the fire engine red and apple green that we associate with Christmas now) were seldom seen in the decorations of the era. Colors that are typical of the period include deep jewel tones of red, blue, green, and purple, along with shades of gold and cream.

• Suggestion: try decorating your tree with ornaments in jewel tones, and replace bright tinsel garland with swaths of broad burgundy red ribbon. Add accents with cream-colored bows and shiny gold balls or figurines.

• Suggestion: if you don’t care for deep tones, try going with pastel theme. While not as historically accurate, light shades of dusty pink or blue mixed with cream and ecru and highlighted with plenty of gold can create a breathtaking period look. Strings of pearly beads make a dazzling accent to a pastel holiday theme.

Lots of greenery wherever you look
Boughs of pine and other greenery were a basic component of holiday decor during the period. Carefully arranged with fruit, flowers, candles, and ornaments or woven into garlands, greenery was everywhere.

• Suggestion: hang pine garlands wherever you can – festooned on staircases, surrounding doorways, and draped over mirrors and mantlepieces. Weave broad ribbon, silky fabric, or thick gold decorative rope through the branches and decorate with bows, flowers, figurines, ornaments, and tiny wrapped packages.

• Suggestion: strictly speaking, electric Christmas lights aren’t really part of period holiday decor. But they’re very much in keeping with the decorating spirit of the era, and using slightly gold-tinted mini lights creates a warm glow reminiscent of candlelight.

When in doubt, embellish!
The Victorians had a real “more is better” ethic about decorating, particularly when it came to decorative ornamentation. The question was rarely “which one should I use?” but rather, “How many can I fit into the space?” This is particularly true of the holiday decor of the period.

• Suggestion: to capture the mood of the era, go lavish with everything and decorate everywhere. Don’t stop with hanging the garlands and decorating the tree. Make arrangements with flowers, candles, ornaments, ribbon and greenery on tables, mantles, piano tops, shelves; every flat surface is eligible. And don’t think in terms of “either or” – think “both and” instead. When you’re creating an arrangement, use bows and ornaments and fruit. Or pearls, flowers, and lace. Or bows, ornaments, fruit, pearls, flowers, and – well, you get the picture.

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Thomas Kinkade "VICTORIAN CHRISTMAS III" Heirloom Glass Ornament! ~ Beautifully Crafted!
	Manufacturer: Thomas Kinkade Customer Rating:   List Price: Varies based on product options Sale Price: $18.95 Availibility: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Product Description
This inviting, old-fashioned home beckon with the light of love and holiday togetherness envisioned by Thomas Kinkade. And, it's the first-ever, delicate hand-blown Heirloom Glass ornaments to feature his beloved winter landscapes. This Bradford Editions keepsake collectible will enhance your holiday tree for years to come. This Bradford Editions collectible ornament features: Uniquely shaped Heirloom Glass ornament which showcases Thomas Kinkade's beloved winter holiday scene in an exciting new medium for the first time ever Hand-painted sculptural horse-and-sleigh topper adds an elegant touch Kinkade's scenes in recessed "frames" are set off with 22K gold and etched flourishes Frost glitter recalls the look of a winter snowfall Authenticated with Thomas Kinkade's replica signature on ornament Includes a gold hanging cord for easy display Edition strictly limited to 120 handcrafting days Ornament measures 4-1/4" high

If warmth, natural beauty, and elegant simplicity are your idea of the perfect holiday decor, vintage Christmas decorations based on Christmas folk art are for you.

Made by hand and cherished for generations, these ornaments are as sturdy, uncomplicated, and enduring as the people who created them. Sometimes referred to as “naive art” or “working class art”, folk art is produced by everyday people rather than artists or artisans. Though many excellent reproductions of vintage folk ornaments are now available, the originals were generally handmade by a member of the family and used to decorate the family home.

Classic American folk art features simple shapes that are cut, carved, molded or sewn from ordinary inexpensive materials such as wood, paper, clay, tin, and cloth and then embellished, usually with paint or embroidery. In many cases the ornaments were utilitarian as well as decorative, such as woven baskets, painted boxes, and candle holders.

The simple shapes and “touchability” of this style of vintage decoration makes it a great choice for homes with young children. But these classic forms also pair beautifully with clean, sleek modern decor and they even make a surprisingly sophisticated addition to trendy industrial style design.

Here are some tips for giving your holiday decorations a vintage folk art flair:

Think simplicity and restraint
Unlike the “more is better”, over-the-top profusion typical of Victorian holiday decoration, naive art is very much a “less is more” proposition.

- Rather than arranging a dozen items on the mantel, choose just two or three that have some real meaning to you.

- Don’t be afraid of some empty space between your decorations; it’s ok if every surface isn’t sporting some bit of holiday finery.

- Forget the glitz. Forgo bright, super-shiny surfaces and anything that’s glaringly artificial. Anything that’s too perfect is totally wrong for this style, which is the epitome of warm and homey.

Natural materials and warm, soft colors
Decorations made of wood, fabric, paper, clay, tin, and other everyday materials are the classics of this style. Paired with simple arrangements of greenery, fruit, and candles they create a calm, creative, and welcoming holiday atmosphere.

- Try making unexpected combinations. Arrange birch branches, boughs of fir, and dried flowers in a big earthenware jug or galvanized pail, or put a pair of fat candles in the middle of a wooden serving tray and surround them with lemons and magnolia leaves or sprigs of pine.

- Homespun fabrics (or fabrics that look homespun) are a great way to add Christmas color. Make a super-simple table runner of a yard or two of muted red and green plaid fabric, or cut strips of fabric to make bows to put in arrangements or on the tree.

Highlight your heritage and your handiwork
One of the best things about folk art is its that its not only created by every culture everywhere, it’s constantly being created. “Everyday art” that is characteristic of your heritage is an excellent addition to this type of decoration, and it doesn’t even have to be specifically holiday-themed. Creating simple ornaments yourself is also an excellent way to create some lasting traditions in your own family.

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Joy Rings Thru the Air Christmas Folk Art Tapestry Throw Afghan 50" x 60"
	Manufacturer: Simply Home Customer Rating:   List Price: $59.99 Sale Price: $37.94 Availibility: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Product Description
Joy Rings Through the Air Christmas Mid-Size tapestry throw Item #TPM738 "Joy Rings Through The Air" A variety of holiday images with a folk-art feel cover this design by Michelle Palmer - father Christmas, stockings, teddy bears, etc. Approximate measurements: 50" x 60" Material(s): 100% cotton Washing Instructions: Machine wash cold/tumble dry low Made in the USA

“Our First Christmas” ornaments are classic and lasting gifts – romantic and meaningful heirloom keepsakes that commemorate your love.

Whether you prefer the pristine elegance of crystal, the warmth of hand-painted china, or the dazzle of silver, there’s an “Our First Christmas” ornament that’s perfect to celebrate your relationship.

Waterford® Crystal 2009 Our First, Christmas Ornament
	Manufacturer: Waterford Customer Rating:   List Price: $65.00 Sale Price: View Sale Price Availibility: View Product Availability
Product Description
The 2009 Our First Christmas Heart Ornament is a classic Waterford holiday piece that showcases a theme of love. The ornament is dated for 2009 with a pewter hang tag and has a red ornament enhancer.

Precious Moments "Our First Christmas Together 2009", Christmas Ornament
	Manufacturer: Precious Moments Customer Rating:   List Price: $27.50 Sale Price: $26.79 Availibility: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Product Description
Celebrate your first Christmas together with this darling couple holding a unity candle. Dated 2009. Porcelain bisque ornament 3.25" high

Kurt Adler Polanaise Silver Collection "Our First Christmas Together" Dove, Christmas Ornament
	Manufacturer: Kurt Adler Customer Rating:   List Price: $10.00 Sale Price: View Sale Price Availibility: View Product Availability
Product Description
4.5"POLONAISE SILVER COLLECTION "OUR FIRST CHRISTMAS TOGETHER" DOVE ORN.

Our First Christmas Ornament Style 2
	Manufacturer: Silverfox Promotions Customer Rating:   List Price: Varies based on product options Sale Price: $39.95 Availibility: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Product Description
Our First Christmas Ornament Style 2 The ideal Christmas present for your favorite newlyweds, these personalized First Christmas ornaments, adorned with colorful snowflakes, will look perfect on their tree. The round, ceramic ornaments feature the first names of the couple and holiday year. Theyll treasure this personalized ornament for years to come! Ornaments measure 3" in diameter and are ready for hanging with a gold metallic cord. Personalized with bride and groom's first names of up to 10 characters and year. Please email us after ordering to let us know what personalization desired.

Waterford Holiday Heirlooms® Our First Christmas Double Bells, Christmas Ornament, Dated
	Manufacturer: Waterford Customer Rating:   List Price: $45.00 Sale Price: View Sale Price Availibility: View Product Availability
Product Description
The Our First Christmas Ornamnet for 2009 is the design of wedding bells with the words "Our 1stChristmas" written on it. This ornament has a gold, and red accents on silver bells.

Cute and cuddly or beautiful and elegant, a dated ornament celebrating a little one’s first Christmas is sure to be a welcome and treasured gift that any parent will love. Or start a tradition for your own holiday decor by making baby’s first Christmas ornament the start of a collection that will grow along with your child.

Belleek 4-Inch Baby's First, Christmas Ornament
	Manufacturer: Belleek Customer Rating:   List Price: $35.00 Sale Price: View Sale Price Availibility: View Product Availability
Product Description
Handcrafted and hand painted bear ornament. Adorned with shamrocks and says Baby's First Christmas 2009 in gold lettering.

Lenox 2009 Winnie the Pooh's Baby's First, Christmas Ornament
	Manufacturer: Lenox Customer Rating:   List Price: $43.00 Sale Price: $49.99 Availibility: View Product Availability
Product Description
Winnie the Pooh enjoys winter fun with Piglet. Tiny Piglet stands on Pooh's shoulder to top their snowman with a pot for a hat. Production ends December 25, 2009.

Waterford Crystal 2009 Baby's 1st Christmas Bottle-Shaped, Christmas Ornament
	Manufacturer: Waterford Customer Rating:   List Price: $65.00 Sale Price: View Sale Price Availibility: View Product Availability
Product Description
The 2009 Baby's First Christmas Ornament is a classic design that has endured. The bottle is cut with the classic cut and has etched onto the bottle "Baby's 1st Christmas." This piece also has a jewel enhancer and a pewter 2009 emblem and a blue and pink ornament enhancer.

Baby's First Christmas (Cradle) Keepsake Ornament
	Manufacturer: Customer Rating:   List Price: Varies based on product options Sale Price: View Sale Price Availibility: View Product Availability
Product Description

Wedgwood Baby's First, Christmas Ornament
	Manufacturer: Wedgwood Customer Rating:   List Price: $36.00 Sale Price: View Sale Price Availibility: View Product Availability
Product Description
The Wedgwood Baby's First Christmas Ornament is in the traditional shape of a baby bootie. The bootie has a white opalescent body decorated with raised white relief.

Internationally accepted as the indisputable leader in premium crystal, Waterford has perfected the process of turning crystal into art. Its superbly handcrafted stemware and giftware are designed and manufactured to the highest standards, and the name Waterford is recognized world-wide as a guarantee of absolute top quality.

If you want your gift to be remembered, start with Waterford Collectible Christmas ornaments.

Waterford Crystal Twelve Days Eighth Edition Bell, Eight Maids a Milking, Christmas Ornament
	Manufacturer: Waterford Customer Rating:   List Price: $70.00 Sale Price: $70.00 Availibility: Usually ships in 24 hours Free Shipping Available
Product Description
23 Years ago Waterford has a collection of Ornaments that showcased the Twelve Days of Christmas. It is because of that populartity that Waterford has come up with a spin on that original collection and has adapted the patterns for a collection of bells, each one showcasing a particular Waterford pattern and twelve days symbol. The Eighth in this series is the Eight Maida A Milking on a bell cut with the Tramore pattern. This collection's bells are sold as singles in a round red hat box.

Waterford Crystal Twelve Days of Christmas Bell, 7th Edition, Seven Swans A Swimming, Christmas Ornament
	Manufacturer: Waterford Customer Rating:   List Price: $70.00 Sale Price: $70.00 Availibility: Usually ships in 24 hours Free Shipping Available
Product Description
23 Years ago Waterford has a collection of Ornaments that showcased the Twelve Days of Christmas. It is because of that populartity that Waterford has come up with a spin on that original collection and has adapted the patterns for a collection of bells, each one showcasing a particular Waterford pattern and twelve days symbol. The seventh in this series is the Seven Swans A Swimming on a bell cut with the Kenmare pattern. This collection's bells are sold as singles in a round red hat box.

Marquis by Waterford 2008 Baby's First Christmas Ornament
	Manufacturer: Waterford Customer Rating:   List Price: $19.95 Sale Price: $44.99 Availibility: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Product Description
This year's Baby's First ornamnet is a mold of a teddy bear holding balloons, across the ballooms is written the year 2008. This dated ornament has a gold rope hanger and a red jewel accent.

Waterford Crystal 12 Days of Christmas Bell, 4th Edition, 4 Calling Birds, Christmas Ornament
	Manufacturer: Waterford Crystal Customer Rating:   List Price: $70.00 Sale Price: $70.00 Availibility: Usually ships in 6-10 business days
Product Description
23 Years ago Waterford has a collection of Ornaments that showcased the Twelve Days of Christmas. It is because of that popularity that Waterford has come up with a spin on that original collection and has adapted the patterns for a collection of bells, each one showcasing a particular Waterford pattern and twelve days symbol. The fourth in this series are the Calling Birds on a bell cut with the Powerscourt pattern. This collection's bells are sold as singles in a round red hat box.

Waterford Star Paperweight
	Manufacturer: Waterford Customer Rating:   List Price: $125.00 Sale Price: $125.00 Availibility: Usually ships in 24 hours Free Shipping Available
Product Description
The Standing Star Paperweight is a great piece to use as an award or a collectible trasure. The straight line cuts are give the paperweight a depth that makes an intersting optical design.

Internationally recognized as a leader in silver artistry, innovation, and design, Wallace is universally known for its exquisite keepsake holiday ornaments. A gift of a Wallace silver ornament is certain to be treasured, admired, and passed down as an heirloom for generations to come.

Wallace 2009 Silver Plated Sleigh Bell, Christmas Ornament 39th Edition
	Manufacturer: Wallace Customer Rating:   List Price: $56.25 Sale Price: $48.50 Availibility: View Product Availability
Product Description
Wallace 2009 Silver Plated Sleigh Bell Ornament 39th Edition

Wallace Rose Point Candy Cane, Christmas Ornament 2nd Edition
	Manufacturer: Wallace Customer Rating:   List Price: $105.00 Sale Price: $42.99 Availibility: Usually ships in 24 hours Free Shipping Available
Product Description
Wallace Rose Point Candy Cane Ornament 2nd Edition

Wallace Christmas Rose Mini Bell 1st. Edition, Christmas Ornament
	Manufacturer: Wallace Customer Rating:   List Price: $45.00 Sale Price: $29.99 Availibility: Usually ships in 1 to 2 days Free Shipping Available
Product Description
Wallace Christmas Rose Mini Bell 1st. Edition

Wallace Songs of, Christmas Ornament 10th Edition
	Manufacturer: Wallace Customer Rating:   List Price: $120.00 Sale Price: $79.90 Availibility: Usually ships in 24 hours Free Shipping Available
Product Description
Wallace Songs of Christmas Ornament 10th Edition

Wallace 2008 Songs of Christmas Ornament - 9th Edition
	Manufacturer: Wallace Customer Rating:   List Price: $75.00 Sale Price: $53.55 Availibility: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Product Description
This medallion ornament from Wallace Silversmiths is approx 31/2" across and crafted in sterling silver. Made in the USA, it is the 9th edition for the Songs of Christmas series.