Antique Christmas Tree Decorations

Creating an Antique Themed Tree

If you have decided you want to use antiques as your Christmas tree décor this year. To help you get started, think about the following questions:

• Do I want to keep all my ornaments made of one material (cotton, glass, wood, metal) or will I mix up materials?
• How much am I willing to spend on antique Christmas ornaments?
• Do I want to look for decorations from a certain decade?
• Will I use antique touches throughout the rest of my tree room/home?
• How do I feel about “antique-style” ornaments versus more modern touches?

No right or wrong answer exists to the questions above. But exploring your personal goals can help you sift through the many holiday antiques available.

Finding Antique Christmas Tree Decorations

After you have chosen a more focused theme for your tree, start hunting for your decorations. To get the best deals, be on the lookout for ornaments all year 'round.

Places to find ornaments include:

• Flea Markets/Swap Meets: These are often held all year long at indoor conference halls and malls, or outdoors at fairgrounds in nice weather. For a small entrance fee, you can browse items from hundreds of vendors. Many vendors are willing to negotiate.
• Yard or Garage Sales: Spring and fall cleaning means yard sales. Check local newspaper advertisements and public bulletin boards for listings of available items. Map out a route and start your antique searching.
• Internet Sales: Thousands of sellers are at your fingertips when you search for places on the Internet to buy antiques. Sellers can be found at online storefronts and auctions from eBay to Ruby Lane. Antique stores may also have their own websites, like Easy Street Antiques and Christmas 4 Ever.
• Personal/Family Storage: If you have not gone through the old box of stuff from your great-aunt Mary’s house that has been sitting in your attic, now is the time to do it. You may find several antique or vintage Christmas ornaments packed away with the moth balls. Grandparents may also let you rummage through their old holiday decorations—just be sure to let them know of any valuable items you want to borrow.

Once you have found antique Christmas tree ornaments, you can add other antique items to the tree display. While antique ornaments will most likely be the easiest to find, you can also add the following vintage items:

• Christmas lights
• Tree toppers
• Garland
• Tree skirts

Educate Yourself on Christmas Antiques

Antique Christmas tree decorations are not usually cheap Christmas decorations. To save some money, you may want to consider buying tree decorations that are advertised as “antique-style.” They will be manufactured using today’s materials and are often much easier on the budget. They are not considered true antiques.

Unless you are a seasoned antique hunter, you will want to educate yourself on buying antiques and antique holiday décor if you want true collectibles. You may be able to sign up for a class at your local adult education center, recreation center, or community college.

If a class is not available, check into the following books on general antiquing and antique Christmas decorations:

• Antiquing for Dummies
• Pictorial Guide to Christmas Ornaments and Collectibles: Identifications and Values
• Christmas Through the Decades: Guide to Christmas Antiques
• Antique Trader’s Answers to Questions About Antiques and Collectibles
• Christmas Ornaments, Lights and Decorations: Collector's Identification & Value Guide (Christmas Ornaments II: Lights and Decorations)
• Official Price Guide to Christmas and Other Holiday Collectibles
• Country Living's Guide to the Best Flea Markets: How to Find (And Bargain For) Antiques and Other Treasures in the U.S. and Canada
• How to Think Like a Collector

By educating yourself on how to spot, bargain, and buy antique Christmas tree decorations, you will be sure to get the best deal for your money. If something seems too good to be true, it very well may be.

After the holidays are over, carefully wrap and pack your antique Christmas items for next year. Keep them in a dry area to preserve their looks and future value.