The Ultimate Introduction to Vintage Ceramic Christmas Trees

Immerse yourself in the timeless allure of vintage Christmas decor with our recently launched eBook, “Vintage Kitschy Christmas: A Merry Introduction to Vintage Ceramic Christmas Trees“. It’s more than just a collection of words; it’s your passport to a nostalgic trip, a warm invitation to enjoy the glow of vintage Christmases, even amidst the summer heat!

Our eBook offers an engaging exploration into the world of ceramic Christmas trees. Dive into their fascinating history, discover their origins, learn about various types, identify leading manufacturers like Atlantic Mold, Holland Mold, Doc Holiday, and Nowells, and absorb a comprehensive guide on how to evaluate their worth. It’s a treasure trove of knowledge and practical advice, perfect for vintage decor enthusiasts.

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Christmas Traditions to Make the Season Merry and Bright

Vintage Aluminum Christmas Tree
Vintage Aluminum Christmas Tree and Holt Howard Cozy Kittens Sweater

It’s that special time of year again for Christmas traditions to make the season merry and bright! The time when families all over the world come together to celebrate the holidays. For many, that means decorating the tree, stringing up lights, and spending time with loved ones.

There are so many wonderful Christmas traditions that have been enjoyed for generations. While some traditions have fallen by the wayside, others have endured and remain popular today. What matters most is spending time with loved ones and creating new memories that will last a lifetime. Merry Christmas!

Why Traditions Matter

There’s something special about the holiday season. The air is crisp, the leaves are falling, and everyone is in a good mood. Part of what makes the holidays so magical is all of the traditions that come along with them. From decorating the Christmas tree, shopping for vintage Christmas decorations, baking cookies, to attending holiday parties, these traditions are what make the holidays so unique. But why are traditions so important? Keep reading to find out!

Traditions Bring Families Together

One of the best things about traditions is that they bring families together. I especially enjoy going with my husband, nieces, moms, sister, and brother-in-law out searching for the perfect vintage Christmas decorations at local antique malls. It fills me with nostalgia because I always think about who the person and family were that had these treasures before me, did they also look for these decorations as a family, what were they like and if they passed them down each generation like we do now.

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The Joy of Collecting Vintage Napco Christmas Angels

There’s something magical about the holiday season, with its twinkling lights, festive music, and nostalgic decorations. Among the many vintage treasures that bring charm and warmth to the season. The joy of collecting vintage Napco Christmas angels holds a special place in the hearts of collectors.

One of the most sought-after and beloved Napco figurines are the enchanting Candy Cane Angels. In this blog post, we’ll explore the history of Napco, the art of collecting vintage Napco Christmas figurines, and the timeless appeal of Candy Cane Angels.

It’s the most wonderful time of the year…for Napco devotees, that is! While many people associate the holiday season with Santa Claus, reindeer, and evergreen trees, for us, it’s all about collecting vintage Napco ceramics. From angelic figurines to jolly Santa mugs, there’s nothing that gets us into the Christmas spirit quite like a little bit of retro kitsch.

But what exactly is Napco ceramicware, and why is it so collectible? In short, Napco ceramics are beautiful examples of mid-century American craftsmanship. Produced by the National Potteries Corporation (or “Napco” for short), these pieces were designed in the 1950s and 1960s and were mass-produced for use in homes across the country.

Today, they’re highly sought-after by collectors for their clean lines, pastel colors, and Atomic Age imagery.

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Kitschmas 101: Best Tips to Collecting Mid-Century Christmas

Kitschmas 101 Collecting
Kitschmas 101 Collecting

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

Yasmina Greco and her Kitschmas Collectibles
Yasmina Greco and her Kitschmas Collectibles

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.

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Visiting the Christmas Tree Farm & Holiday Barn Decorations

Yasmina Greco Pretty Retro Christmas Girl Pinup

Christmas time is here and that means a visit to one of our favorite places today, Grandma Buddies Christmas Tree Farm. This Christmas tree farm not only has loads of amazing trees, but they have a magical holiday barn decorated with gingerbread, flocked trees and wreaths, and lots and lots of decorations and special holiday touches. You can sip hot cocoa from their cocoa cart and walk around the farm to pick out your holiday tree.

On our visit today the sun came out for a little bit on this chilly December day, and we made the most of it by not only picking out our tree but also doing one last photo shoot of the year.

Grandma Buddies Christmas Trees
Grandma Buddies Christmas Trees

The theme for my outfit today was a mix of holiday cheer and half wonderland because my accessories are brooches from the Erstwilder Christmas collection and their brand-new Kitschy Witch collab for the Alice in Wonderland collection.

I wore my crimson red holiday top and matched it up with my Alice in Wonderland vintage-inspired Pinup circle skirt and my turquoise blue coat added the much-needed warmth that day.

Christmas Holiday Pinup Retor Girl
Yasmina Greco at Grandma Buddies Christmas Tree Farm
Christmas Barn
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Vintage Christmas Tips: Collecting Figurines & Candleholders

Thrifting Vintage Christmas Noel Sets
Thrifting Vintage Christmas Noel Sets

Vintage Christmas tips: collecting figurines & candleholders. Learn the tips about manufactures like Holt-Howard, Napco, Lefton, Norcrest, and more. For many, the holiday season is filled with love, warmth, and cherished memories. It’s also a time to appreciate and celebrate traditions, both old and new. One such tradition is the fascination with vintage Christmas noel figurines and candle holders from the 1950s, made in Japan. These collectibles not only add a nostalgic touch to your holiday decorations but also carry with them the rich history and craftsmanship of Japanese artisans.

Today’s post in our 2021 Vintage Christmas Collecting Series features some of my favorite vintage Noel sets that date to the 1950s-1960s and feature candle holders, bells, and figurines. Some of these sets were featured in last year’s Vintage Christmas Collecting Series of 2020 but have been updated with current pricing and colorways. When it comes to vintage Noel collectibles there are so many varieties and themes from Santa Claus, Elves, Poodles, Snowmen, Angels, Candy Canes, and even Pixies that there really is something for everyone and you can easily have a theme each year for your holiday decorating too!!

Note: Blog post has a lot of photos and pricing source is recent Ebay, Etsy, Worthpoint, and my own personal sales data.

One sure way to any collector’s heart is items that come with their original boxes. For me, the box can also be used as part of your vintage holiday decor as they usually have timeless graphics that add so much charm to your displays. Since these vintage items are usually 70 yrs old, if you do find an original box it will probably have some wear and tear or even water damage from being stored in basements and attics and that is completely okay and in my opinion, adds that much more to the story and history of the item. 

Here are some of my very favorite Noel sets from my personal collection and I think they are just dynamite. Each set is so unique and has loads and loads of vintage Christmas charm. I actually have them up year-round in my cabinet and they always make me smile when I stop and admire them. 

Stacked Santa’s NOEL Totem Pole Candle Holders

Vintage Christmas NOEL Santa Candleholders Napco Brinns
Vintage Christmas NOEL Santa Candleholders Napco Brinns

Near-and-dear to my heart are these vintage Santa Claus stacked NOEL totem pole candle holders.  These have such fun, witty, retro charm. Pictured are two matching pair made by Tilso in Japan in the 1950s. The Santa’s have  gold little curly-q’s in their beards, have expressive eyes, and each hold a letter to spell NOEL. Tilso sets (sometimes referred to as Brinns) tend to fetch $225-$300 each, having the original box really can impact the price.

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