Learn how your passion for mid-century modern can be turned into a hobby with the right knowledge and tools. This Kitschmas 101: The Best Tips to Collecting Mid-Century Christmas guide will teach you how to get started collecting vintage, kitschy holiday decor.
It’s that time of year again! The holidays are upon us and you know what that means… it’s time to dust off your collection of kitschmas figurines! For the uninitiated, kitschmas figurines are those adorable little statues or trinkets that depict festive scenes or characters.
They’re often made of ceramic or plastic, and they’re just begging to be collected! If you’re new to the world of collecting kitschmas figurines, don’t worry – this guide will teach you everything you need to know.
Kitschmas Figurines
The first thing you need to know about collecting vintage kitschmas figurines is that there is no wrong way to do it. Items from the 1950s-1960s typically fall into the vintage kitschmas category.
Whether you collect a specific type of figurine (e.g. only snowmen, shiny brite ornaments, tinsel trees, shopper girls, Santa’s, pixie elves, or angels), or you just buy whatever catches your eye, it’s all up to you! There are, however, a few tips and tricks that all collectors should keep in mind.
One important tip is to always inspect a figurine before you buy it, even if it’s in its packaging. This is because some manufacturers produced inferior products that were prone to breakage or paint chips or the piece incurred some damage in its previous life.
Inspecting a figurine before you buy by running your fingers or palm of your hand around the edges, rims, ears, necks and tails on animals, and necks, arms, hands, and legs on people figurines will help ensure that you’re getting an item that will last for years to come. Also inspect the paint (items that were cold painted during this era might have paint flaking off) and are the colors bright with a shiny glaze.
Another tip is to be aware of “knock-off” figurines. These are imitations of popular kitschmas figurines that are often produced by inferior manufacturers. Knock-off figurines are often made of lower-quality materials and craftsmanship, so they’re not worth collecting.
Stick to buying only from reputable manufacturers, dealers, sellers on online marketplaces and antique shops, and you’ll be sure to get your hands on some true gems. There are lots of groups and communities online today so you can ask questions from knowledgeable collectors and experts if you are not sure about pieces.
Finally, remember that your collection is unique to you! There are no rules when it comes to what kinds of kitschmas figurines you should collect. So have fun with it, and let your collection reflect your own personal style.
Are you ready to start collecting kitschmas figurines? With these tips in mind, you’re sure to build a wonderful collection that will bring joy for years to come. Happy hunting!
About the Vintage Christmas Collecting Series: This series of blog posts and pictures focuses on vintage and mid-century Christmas collectibles from the late 1940s-1960s, giving you the insights on starting a collection with tips on prices and where to find these treasures as well as tips for adding to your collection and scoring the rare and hard-to-find pieces.
Both new and seasoned collectors will learn new things so they can enjoy collecting vintage Christmas items year-round. See more pictures and blog posts here at Vintage Christmas Collecting Series
Find our vintage inspired Christmas sweatshirts and t-shirts over at www.crazy4mestyle.com
Join our marvelous vintage kitschy Christmas Facebook community – Vintage Kitschy Christmas
