Vintage Fashion, Mid-Century Modern, Collectibles, and Everything in Between
Category Archives: Vintage Christmas Collecting Series
About the Vintage Christmas Collecting Series: This six-part series of blog posts and pictures focuses on vintage and mid-mod 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.
Oh yes, friends — the vintage Christmas sparkle is officially beginning! I know it’s only October, but I couldn’t resist the glittering pull of vintage Christmas any longer. The air is getting crisp, the shops are starting to shimmer with tinsel, and my collection of mid-century merriment is ready to take center stage once again.
Vintage Christmas Collectibles
Every year, this moment feels like unwrapping a little piece of magic. The minute I open those boxes marked “XMAS” in my handwriting; I can practically hear the jingling bells and smell the cinnamon cocoa! Out comes the Holt Howard Santa mugs, each with their winking and starry eyes. Then the Napco shopper girl figurines with their cloaks, candy canes and fur hand-muffs, Lefton and Norcrest reindeer prance right in — gold antlers polished, ready for the spotlight. And don’t even get me started on the bottle brush trees, still fluffy and fabulous after all these decades.
Holt Howard Starry Eyed Santa Pitcher
There’s just something about vintage Christmas that captures the heart. Maybe it’s the charm of hand-painted faces or the way those shiny mid-century colors — cherry red, icy turquoise, and glittering gold — instantly transport us back to a simpler, sweeter time.
This season, I’ll be sharing some of my favorite vintage holiday treasures here on the blog — from whimsical candleholders and NOEL angels to kitschy mugs, sparkly aluminum trees, and those oh-so-hard-to-find Japan-made figurines that make collectors swoon. I’ll also share some decorating ideas for adding nostalgic cheer to your own home, along with stories from my adventures treasure hunting through antique malls and estate sales.
Vintage NOEL Girls
If you’re as Crazy4VintageChristmas as I am, you’re in for a treat!
So dust off that tinsel, grab your cocoa (extra marshmallows, please), and let’s officially kick off the holiday season — mid-century style!
Vintage Kitsch Christmas Collection
Stay tuned for upcoming posts featuring:
Decorating with Vintage Santa Mugs ☕
The Glittery History of 1950s Bottle Brush Trees 🌲
Collecting Holt Howard Christmas — A Whimsical Wonderland 🎅
Easy Ways to Mix Vintage Cheer into Your Christmas Decor 🎀
And yes — many of the treasures you’ll see here are available in my Etsy shop, so if something catches your eye, it might just be your next piece of Christmas magic.
Vintage Lefton Christmas Santa Decanter Mug Set
Want to start your own vintage Christmas collection?
Summer sparkle meets holiday cheer — it’s Christmas in July, and what better time to revisit the joy of vintage NOEL sets? If you’re a fan of vintage kitschy Christmas charm, now’s the perfect moment to dive into the whimsical world of mid-century collectibles!
Holt Howard Noel Candleholder
You don’t need snow on the ground to feel the magic of vintage Christmas—just a little mid-century sparkle and a shelf full of charming NOEL figurines! Whether you’re sipping iced tea in July or hot cocoa in December, these sweet collectibles bring cheer all year long.
Mid‑Century Magic
Vintage 1950s Lipper & Mann Noel Poodles in White and Pink Noel Sets
Straight from the fabulous 1950s–60s, NOEL sets capture the golden era of holiday kitsch! Think rosy-cheeked Santas, fluttery-eyed angels, candy cane cuties, goofy snowmen, and yes—even spaghetti-trimmed poodles. With their dreamy pastel hues and whimsical expressions, each piece is like a time capsule of Christmas joy.
Vintage Christmas Noel Collection
Collectible Variety
1950s Grimco Japan NOEL Bells Vintage Christmas
There’s truly a NOEL set for every vintage Christmas lover! From the sparkly Grimco Japan Noel bell kids in their starburst gowns, to Holt-Howard’s jolly Santas with cheeky grins, and the ultra-fabulous M.G. Menschik Goldman snowmen whose round little bodies become the letters of NOEL—it’s a holiday dream lineup. And don’t forget the rare mid-century snowman family rocking their retro ski goggles—pure alpine kitsch! How irresistibly charming.
Holt Howard Noel Santa Figurine SetMenschik Goldman Noel Snowman
Year‑Round Joy
Why tuck them away after December? Display your NOEL sets proudly in July with twinkling fairy lights or a retro garland. They bring the same heartwarming charm whether nestled among pine boughs or perched beside a summer bouquet. Christmas cheer never goes out of season!
Vintage Christmas Noel Sets
Craving more kitschy Christmas cuteness? Pop over to the Crazy4Me Etsy shop to explore my latest vintage holiday finds—each one bursting with cheer and a big mid-century wink! And if you’re hungry for more retro Christmas magic, don’t miss myInsider Guide to the Best Holt-Howard Christmas Collectibles—it’s a must-read for every festive collector!
Ready to become an antiques aficionado? Look no further than the experts’ books available on antiques, vintage Christmas, kitschy mid-century modern artifacts and collectibles! So start exploring this fascinating world filled with nostalgia and tradition today! Here are a few titles worth checking out:
Space age tin toys and robots captured the imagination of a mid-century generation enthralled by space exploration. These highly collectible toys are now prized by vintage toy collectors and Mid-Century Modern enthusiasts alike. If you’re interested in collecting space age tin toys and just starting out, here are some really good books to get you started that full of photos and information.
Yasmina Greco with her Vintage Christmas NOEL Collection
Christmas, the most wonderful time of the year!! I have a great post for you all today; 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.
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
For me, one of my favorite things to do is pull out the vintage Chirstmas 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.
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!!
Holt Howard Noel Angel Candleholders
Holt-Howard’s vintage Noel angel girl candleholders are cherished mid-century collectibles known for their whimsical charm and festive flair. These ceramic figurines, dressed in white robes adorned with gold star accents, hold red letters that spell out “NOEL” across the set with green tops to insert candles. Their expressive faces and intricate details embody the nostalgic appeal of 1950s and 1960s holiday décor.
Highly sought after by collectors, these pieces can command prices ranging from $800 to $1,500+, depending on condition. When acquiring them, it’s important to inspect for any damage, particularly to delicate areas like necks, letters, halos, candleholders, and ensure the detailing remains intact and not chipped, cracked, or repaired.
This beautiful pristine set of Holt Howard Noel Candleholders is available now on at my shop Crazy4MeStyle
WARNING!! Blog has a lot of photos.
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 five 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.
1950s Grimco Japan NOEL Bells Vintage Christmas1950s Grimco Japan NOEL Bells Vintage Christmas
Collector Alert: For Sale on Etsy – Vintage Christmas Extremely Rare NOEL Bell Set – World Creations by Grimco 1950s Japan MCM This 4 Piece Noel bells set of boys and girls made by World Creations by Grimco Japan 1950s.
This set is hard to find and very delicate, made from very fine ceramic so there may be light hairline cracks if you do come across a set. The facial expressions on these kids are so darling. In today’s market expect to pay $275-$325.
2. Christmas Cowboy Santa Noel Candle Holders set by Menschik Goldman in the 1950s. Santa is wearing his western hat with green and red holiday flair, his red suit complete with holster and pistol and his body spells out NOEL.
This set is very rare, I have only come across it one time and in today’s market expect to pay $299-$350.
If you’re dreaming of a pink Christmas this year, you’re not alone! Discover how to style a whimsical vintage pink Christmas with 1950s-60s kitsch treasures. From my pink-striped Pyrex bowl cradling a vintage tinsel tree to charming Holt Howard, Napco, and Harold Gale Santas, this holiday setup is full of nostalgia and festive fun.
Here’s how I styled my vintage pink Christmas, and how you can create your own!
The Centerpiece: Pink Pyrex & Tinsel Tree Magic
To anchor the display, I used my vintage pink-striped Pyrex bowl to cradle a shimmering vintage teal blue tinsel tree. Pyrex bowls aren’t just for baking—this beauty adds a splash of vintage utility to the scene while perfectly housing the aluminum sparkle of the tree. The 1950s tree itself is adorned with pastel mercury glass ornaments, vintage mercury glass garlands, and whimsical glass mushroom ornaments for a touch of woodland magic.
Top It Off: The Pink Angel Tree Topper
Every tree needs a topper, and mine is crowned with an ethereal vintage pink angel. She exudes retro charm with her soft pink gown and delicate glitter accents. This angel has been with me for years, and her glowing presence completes the tree in true vintage kitsch style. She even has blue eye shadow!!
Whimsical Details: Pink NOEL Poodles
What’s kitsch without a touch of quirky fun? My prized possessions are these vintage 1950s pink NOEL poodles by Lipper & Mann and they are the show-stopping stars!!. These playful pups spell out “NOEL” with their candy-pink charm and festive flair, bringing smiles to everyone who visits. The set also came with white poodles but the pink poodles are much harder to find.
Napco Planter with Pink PJ Perfection
Adding a cozy, heartwarming touch to the display, my vintage Napco planter showcases an adorable child in pink pajamas kneeling by a festively decorated fireplace. This charming piece instantly evokes the magic of simpler times, when Christmas mornings were filled with wide-eyed wonder and the joy of childhood.
The Larger-Than-Life Pink Angel
Standing gracefully at the heart of the display is my larger pink angel, a true vintage treasure radiating all the kitschy charm of the era. Clutching her golden songbook, she captivates with her lovely blue eyeshadow and perfectly winged eyeliner—a nod to timeless mid-century style. Her serene expression and shimmering wings add height, elegance, and a gentle reminder of the magic that makes the holiday season so special.
Vintage Pink Bottle Brush Christmas Tree Beauty (pictured in photos)
Bottle brush trees are quintessentially mid-century, and my pink vintage one adds a pop of textured whimsy to the scene. It pairs perfectly with the other pieces, offering a soft and snowy pink touch that contrasts beautifully with the metallic tones of the tinsel tree.
Vintage Harold Gale Santa’s: Pretty in Pink
To complete the look, my two vintage Harold Gale pink Santa’s bring a delightful twist to the classic, red-suited St. Nick. Dressed in plush velvet suits with soft rosy tones, these charming figures never fail to capture attention and spark conversations among guests who admire their unique flair. Highly sought after by collectors, these pink Harold Gale Santa’s have become incredibly desirable, commanding impressive prices in today’s vintage market.
Tips for Styling Your Own Pink Kitsch Christmas
1. Mix & Match: Don’t be afraid to combine items from different makers like Napco, Norcrest, and Holt Howard. Their designs often complement each other beautifully.
2. Think Beyond Ornaments: Incorporate items like planters, figurines, and Pyrex bowls to add depth and function to your display.
3. Layer Heights: Use risers or tiered displays to create a dynamic arrangement that draws the eye.
4. Stick to Your Palette: For a cohesive look, keep your colors within the pink spectrum, with accents of white, gold, or silver for a touch of sparkle.
5. Embrace Imperfection: Part of the charm of vintage kitsch is its playful and sometimes quirky imperfections. Let those details shine!
Whether you’re decorating a mantel, a table, or a full room, a pink Christmas theme is sure to make spirits bright. These retro treasures from the 1950s-60s bring a touch of nostalgia and whimsy that modern décor just can’t replicate. I hope my pink kitsch Christmas inspires you to dust off your vintage collection and bring it to life this holiday season.
What’s your favorite vintage pink Christmas item? I’d love to hear about your festive finds! Share your ideas in the comments below or tag me in your photos to spread the pink Christmas cheer.
Visit my Etsy Shop!
Explore my Etsy shop today and uncover one-of-a-kind vintage treasures waiting just for you!
Love the idea of a vintage pink Christmas? Dive deeper into myVintage Christmas Collecting Series to see more photos of my favorite retro finds and holiday displays! Don’t forget to visit my Etsy shop for one-of-a-kind vintage Christmas treasures to bring your own kitschy holiday vision to life. Click here and start your nostalgic Christmas journey today!
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
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.
