Kitschmas 101: Best Tips for 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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Vintage Christmas Noel Sets: The Best 5 Tips for Collectors

Yasmina Greco with her Vintage Christmas NOEL Collection

Vintage Christmas Noel Sets: The Ultimate 5 Tips for Collectors for collecting Noel figurines and candle holders from Santa Claus, Elves, Poodles, Snowmen, Angels, Candy Canes, Holt-Howard. You may have noticed that Christmas is in the air. That feeling of festivity and joy that comes with this time of year can be attributed to many things, but one of them surely has to be all the vintage kitschy decorations.

Vintage 1950s NOEL Angel Girl Bells - Japan
Vintage 1950s NOEL Angel Girl Bells – Japan

For me, one of my favorite things to do is pull out the vintage NOEL sets that I have been collecting for years and display these treasures as I get my home ready for Christmas. If you love a touch of nostalgia with some Mid-Century flair then you’ll want to curl up with your cocoa and read our new blog post on Collecting Vintage Christmas: Noel Sets for tips on buying, selling, and searching for these treasures.

Yasmina Greco’s Vintage Christmas NOEL Collection Kitschy Mid-Mod Decorations

Today’s blog post features some of my vintage Noel collection that dates from the 1950s-1960s and features Noel candle holders, Noel bells, and Noel figurines. 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 Clowns, that there really is something for everyone and you can easily have a theme each year for your holiday decorating too!!

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Fall in Napa Valley: Hell Bunny 50s Dress Photoshoot

Yasmina Greco in Hell Bunny Oktober 50's Dress
Yasmina Greco in Hell Bunny Oktober 50’s Dress

As the golden hues of harvest season begin here in Northern California, Napa Valley transforms into a breathtaking tapestry of autumn splendor. The vineyards, cloaked in vibrant shades of red, orange, and gold, beckon for a visit, and what better way to capture the magic of the season than with a photoshoot amidst this glorious fall foliage?

For this enchanting excursion, I chose to wear my exquisite Oktober 50’s Dress by Hell Bunny—a piece that feels as if it was crafted precisely for this moment in time. The fit of the Oktober 50’s Dress is nothing short of perfection. It zips smoothly up the back, and the deep pockets are both practical and delightfully unexpected. The pleats on the full circle skirt and bodice create a graceful silhouette, while the faux wrap top and under-bust seams delicately enhance my feminine curves. This dress is a celebration of vintage style, with a design that flatters in all the right places.

Yasmina Greco in Hell Bunny Oktober 50's Dress
Yasmina Greco in Hell Bunny Oktober 50’s Dress

Wearing my standard 2XL Hell Bunny size, I found the dress to be a flawless fit, effortlessly accommodating an ample bust thanks to the cleverly designed overlapping fabric panels. The Oktober 50’s Dress is available up to size 4XL, making it a versatile and inclusive choice for women of all shapes and sizes.

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The Best Antiques Guide Along Northern California’s HWY 101

Gin'gilli's Vintage Home
Gin’gilli’s Vintage Home

There’s something incredibly romantic about the open road. The scenic beauty, the freedom, the adventure. This 4th of July weekend, my sweet hubby Gary and I decided to immerse ourselves in just that romance, exploring the breathtaking Northern California’s Highway 101.

Encircled by lush vineyards and the intoxicating beauty of the wine country, this route is an adventurous blend of stunning nature and charming towns filled with hidden gems in the form of antiques shops and vintage home decor boutiques. Our journey was a fantastic one – the perfect blend of relaxation, sightseeing, and of course, treasure hunting for antiques and collectibles.

Our itinerary included three must-visit places: Gin’gilli’s Vintage Home in Geyserville, Mill Street Antiques in Cloverdale, and Country Porch Antiques in Hopland. So buckle up and get ready for a recounting of our treasure hunt along the beautiful highway!

Gin’gilli’s Vintage Home, Geyserville

Our first stop is the quaint town of Geyserville, home to the delightful Gin’gilli’s Vintage Home. As soon as you step inside this charming shop, you’ll find yourself transported to a bygone era. Its collection boasts an eclectic mix of antiques, salvage, furniture, vintage cameras and vinyl, vintage toys and collectibles, jewelry, vintage furniture, crafted creations, and distinctive home decor that evokes a sense of nostalgia. Every piece tells a story, from rustic farmhouse tables to Victorian-era curiosities and retro-inspired home accessories.

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4th of July Celebration: Mid-Century Outfits & Collectibles

Curvy Nautical Patriotic Style - Yasmina Greco
Curvy Nautical Patriotic Style – Yasmina Greco

As we approach the 4th of July, let’s take a nostalgic trip down memory lane and explore how you can infuse the vintage 50’s era into your wardrobe and home. Celebrate Independence Day with mid-century outfits and collectibles featuring patriotic, nautical-themed Pinup and Rockabilly styles, and charming mid-century kitsch.

Nautical Outfits: Classic American Fashion with a 50’s Twist

Patriotic and nautical fashion has been an iconic part of American style for decades. These themes blend beautifully during 4th of July celebrations, offering a chance to showcase your creativity and love for vintage fashion.

The Vintage Nautical Look

Creating a vintage 50’s nautical outfit starts with the basics: think sailor pants, wide collars, and classic navy-and-white or red-and-white stripes. The 1950s was also an era of full skirts and A-line dresses, so consider adding a full, pleated, midi-length skirt in navy blue or red to your ensemble. Top it off with a striped boat neck top for that truly nostalgic look.

Seaside Sweetie Nautical Sailor Girl Red T-Shirt
Seaside Sweetie Nautical Sailor Girl Red T-Shirt by Crazy4MeStyle

My t-shirt in the photo above is one of my favorites, designed for my brand, Seaside Sweetie Nautical Pinup Tee. You can explore more about 50s kitschy fun fashions here: 1950s Kitsch at its Best: The Ultimate Poodle Purses, Skirts, and Dresses.

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Aloha to Tiki Collectibles: A Fun and Whimsical Dive!

Yasmina Greco Tiki Bar Pinup Girl
Yasmina Greco Tiki Bar Pinup Girl

Welcome, tiki enthusiasts and curious collectors! I’d like to take you on a colorful plunge into the enchanting world of vintage tiki collectibles. Whether you’re a seasoned tiki aficionado or just discovering the magic of these Polynesian-inspired treasures, this blog post is sure to make you want to don a Hawaiian shirt, mix a Mai Tai, and set sail on an island adventure from the comfort of your home.

What Do Tiki Mugs Represent?

It seems like every tiki collector I have encountered collects tiki mugs and I can see why!! Tiki mugs are more than just fancy drinkware. These ceramic beauties represent a slice of mid-century Bali Hai escapism and a nod to Polynesian mythology popular in the 1950s-1960s.

The original tiki mugs were designed to bring a piece of the exotic islands into everyday life, making every sip an adventure. Each mug is a mini work of art, often depicting gods, goddesses, and mythical creatures from Polynesian lore. Talk about drinking in history!

Fun Facts About Tiki

Tiki Mug Collection
Tiki Mug Collection

The Tiki Bar Boom: The tiki craze began in the 1930s when Donn Beach opened the first tiki bar, Don the Beachcomber, in Hollywood. It was an instant hit, offering an exotic escape with rum-based cocktails, tropical decor, and Polynesian cuisine. Oh, how I would have loved to visit and experience this location in its heyday!!

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