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Yuletide Antiquing

What’s old is new again when you bring out family heirlooms and seek out the most festive antiques for your home decor.

Digging Up Some Old Vintage Christmas Decorations

Growing up, I always looked forward to getting the family favorites out on the shelves and on the tree.

To this day, I have a Santa’s sleigh and reindeer that are probably from the 1960s. I don’t know the value of the piece as a collectible, but it is priceless to me. It’s been a part of every Christmas I can ever remember.

Christmas is a season for kindling the fire for hospitality in the hall, the genial flame of charity in the heart. ~Washington Irving

You might have some of these emotional favorites. You might even have some truly antique decorations from generations past. There are pieces that may have been preserved in your family from the Depression or even the Victorian Age.

It Starts In Germany

The tradition of putting candles on Christmas trees actually began in Germany. The person who came up with the idea is thought to have been Martin Luther, father of the Reformation. ~Christopher Buckley

In fairness, it’s a wonder Germany didn’t burn down entirely during any given Christmas. The idea of attaching lit candles to the branches of a tree may have created an interesting sight but it also created a dreadful fire hazard! Fortunately, you can get the same effect without the fire hazard if you’d like to have a truly retro Christmas tree experience with LED candle lights.

If you’re going for a vintage look, these LED candle lights are a lot safer than actual candles.

Another tradition that came from Germany is the art form of blown glass decorations. This began in Lauscha, Germany back in the 17th Century. Lauscha was uniquely located with the resources to make glass for a variety of practical uses such as flasks, drinking glasses, beads, bowls and even artificial eyes. The earliest blown glass ornaments were linked in decorative chains but the glass blowers expanded their craft over the years to include balls, baubles, fruits and statuettes.

Unfortunately, after the conclusion of WWII, Lauscha found itself in communist-controlled East Germany. The glass works were redirected by the state back to more mundane applications until the end of the Cold War. Fortunately, they are back in business and you can purchase delightful blown glass ornaments in the styles that made them famous during the Victorian Period.

Remember that the most valuable antiques are dear old friends. ~H. Jackson Brown, Jr.

Victorian Flair

The Christmas tree became a part of the holiday when Queen Victoria adopted Prince Albert’s German custom of putting up a tree for their many children. Indications are that the first Christmas tree in England was actually erected by Queen Charlotte in 1800, but the tradition didn’t really seem to catch on until Queen Victoria’s reign.

In addition to the previously mentioned candles and blown glass ornaments from Thuringia, a Victorian Christmas tree would be decorated with a variety of hand-made ornaments. Ribbons in deep jewel tones were very much in vogue and could be matched with shiny gold baubles and cream-colored bows.

The Victorian Christmas tree was often decorated with ornaments that were delicate filigree and some that were made from heavy card stock featuring holiday prints. The tree was typically topped with a figurine of an angel, Father Christmas or an ornate glass finial. Mantels would be decorated with pine boughs, fruit, pine cones, candles and flowers.

Finding Vintage Pieces

If you don’t have a personal stash of vintage family heirlooms, your first stop would most likely be to head to antique marketplaces. These can be hit or miss. If it’s not Christmastime, they might not display their holiday treasures. Unless you find an antique dealer who specializes in Christmas ornaments and decor, you may need to wait until closer to the season to make some valuable finds.

If you’re at an antiques fair, and have been unable to beat the dealer down earlier in the day, pay a return visit at the end. They may be more inclined to accept your offer, rather than having to pack the piece up and take it home. ~Judith Miller

If you’re really set on finding antique Christmas ornaments, you’re going to want to locate a specialist or even a convention. If you’re fortunate enough to have a dedicated, year-round Christmas store nearby, the proprietor may be able to put you in touch with dealers who have specific types of ornaments.