Vintage Christmas ideas to turn up the charm this holiday season

An illustration of a vintage-inspired Christmas tree standing next to a red slipper chair; on the chair, a cat and a small dog are curled up together, napping on a green patchwork quilt that's draped over half of the chair back and seat.

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!

Inspired? Create and share by tagging @HallmarkStores.

Vintage Christmas decorating ideas  

An illustration of row houses standing side by side in a snowy scene; the houses are decorated for Christmas, with wreaths on the doors and windows and strings of lights on the eaves.

 

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:

  • Bows, bows and more bows!
  • Holiday plaid.
  • Snowmen. On ornaments, on drinking glasses…there’s just something nostalgic about them.
  • The kind you cut out of paper!
  • Old-fashioned Santas. Go old World like this Father Christmas, or old school like this mid-century Santa.
  • Cutesy reindeer. It doesn’t get more adorable than this adorable, tiny ornament.

 

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 lie on a pink striped surface

 

  • 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-inspired Christmas cards to choose from, with every color and design you can imagine!

Vintage Christmas party ideas  

  • 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.
  • 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 this Santa mug. Serving drinks in these Santa mugs in red, mint green, pink and white would be pretty, too.
  • Not serving hot beverages? Cool! These drinking glasses are covered in vintage Christmas characters and are perfect for punch, soda, or any other iced beverage.
  • 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. They’d look great on these vintage-inspired serving plates!
  • 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  

  • 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 gift bags and wrapped gift boxes in various vintage-inspired patterns or featuring vintage-inspired icons and characters.

 

 

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.