Mid-Century Modern Christmas: The Best Retro Holiday Guide

Yasmina Greco Mid-Century Modern Christmas Philco Predicta Television
Yasmina Greco Mid-Century Modern Christmas Philco Predicta Television

Embrace the season with a Mid-Century Modern Christmas! Discover tips on aluminum trees, color wheels, vintage ornaments, Pinup fashion, and more. In this blog post, we’ll guide you through creating a fabulous Mid-Century Modern Christmas atmosphere with an aluminum tree, color wheel, vintage Shiny Brite ornaments, Mid-Century pinup fashion, and a Philco Predicta TV for retro entertainment.

I can’t believe the weeks have flown by; I tell my hubby Gary that ever since Thanksgiving it has all been a blur to me and it’s gone by so fast. So I really can’t believe that this is post five in our  six-part Vintage Christmas Collecting Series and, I think one of my favorite posts because not only are we talking about the key elements of a mid-century modern Christmas but also sharing holiday fashions from the 1950s-1960s with me as your festive model.

Retro Aluminum Christmas Trees:

Yasmina Greco Retro Christmas Aluminum Tree
Yasmina Greco Retro Christmas Aluminum Tree

Aluminum Tree: A Retro Centerpiece
An authentic Mid-Century Modern Christmas simply wouldn’t be complete without a dazzling aluminum tree. These artificial trees, which flourished from the late 1950s to the mid-1960s, featured aluminum branches and needles in various sizes, with some even boasting charming pom-poms at the tips. As shown in these delightful photos, vintage aluminum trees from the ’50s and ’60s have become highly sought-after collectibles, with prices steadily increasing each year.

You may find these treasures ranging from $175 to over a thousand dollars, particularly for those boasting unique hues like teal or green. However, if an original vintage tree proves elusive or costly, consider opting for a modern reproduction. Several companies offer multicolored and kitschy pink aluminum trees at more affordable prices, ensuring everyone can indulge in this retro holiday centerpiece.

Color Wheel: A Kaleidoscope of Lights:

Yasmina Greco Mid-Century Modern Christmas
Yasmina Greco Mid-Century Modern Christmas

Add a touch of whimsy to your aluminum tree with a vintage color wheel. A color wheel is a rotating disc with colored panels that cast different hues onto the tree. As the wheel turns, the tree transforms into a mesmerizing display of festive colors.

Track down an authentic color wheel at antique stores, or opt for a modern version available online. Place the color wheel a few feet from the tree, and let the magic unfold.

Vintage Shiny Brite Ornaments:

Yasmina Greco Shiny Brite Ornaments
Yasmina Greco Shiny Brite Ornaments

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5 Expert Tips for Collecting Vintage Christmas Angels

Vintage Norcrest Christmas Angels
Vintage Norcrest Christmas Angels

Hello, angel enthusiasts! Welcome to our cozy corner of the internet, where we’ll embark on a heavenly journey with 5 expert tips for collecting vintage Christmas angels. These celestial beings have been a beloved part of holiday celebrations for centuries, symbolizing hope, joy, and the spirit of giving. With their timeless beauty and intricate details, vintage Christmas angels hold a special place in the hearts of collectors around the world.

Holt-Howard Ermine Angela Salt and Pepper Shakers
Holt-Howard Ermine Angels Salt and Pepper Shakers

Today’s blog post is for week four in our Vintage Christmas Collecting Series and today it is all about collecting vintage Christmas angels as Christmas and angels really go hand-in-hand. The majority of vintage angels in my collection date to the 1950s and were made in Japan by Napco, Norcrest, Ucago, Holt-Howard and Lefton when mid-century modern and kitsch were all the rage. Some angels have no markings and some are marked Japan or have a paper label that says Japan.

Vintage Christmas angels have a lot of the similar spaghetti trim detailing with sponged gold accents like the Christmas decorations made during the era. Some angels are in the form of bells, Noel sets, salt and pepper shakers, and others are figurines. So far, in all my years of collecting, I have only ever come across only a couple of brunette angels and all the others have been blondes so, the brunette haired ones are the rarer ones. 

Lefton Angel Babies
Lefton Angel Babies

Here is a super darling trio of baby angel boys made by Lefton and they each hold a holiday element like a present, candy cane and stocking and a wreath. 

Vintage Napco Brunette Angel Figurine
Vintage Napco Brunette Angel Figurine

This brunette beauty is made by Napco and she has her eyes lowered, holds a lovely Christmas greetings wreath and presents. This angel is quite fancy with so much spaghetti trim on her robe that has the lovely gold sponged details and her wings are one of the most ornate pair I have seen on an angel as they are highly detailed and so very intricate.

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