If you adore mid-century charm, playful kitchenware, and just a dash of feline mischief, the Holt Howard Cozy Kittens are about to steal your heart. In fact, these whimsical pieces have become some of the most beloved vintage collectibles from the 1950s.
The Holt Howard Cozy Kittens, also known as Cozy Kitchen Kitties, are among the most beloved vintage cat collectibles from the 1950s. Introduced in 1958 by Holt-Howard, these wide-eyed kittens transformed everyday kitchen items into whimsical works of art.
And today?
They’re highly collectible, surprisingly diverse… and in some cases, quite valuable.
What Are Holt Howard Cozy Kittens?
Holt Howard Cozy Kittens are a line of ceramic kitchen collectibles made in Japan during the late 1950s.
Holt-Howard Starry Eyed Santa CollectionHolt-Howard Starry Eyed Santa Salt and Pepper Shakers
In our exclusive, best Holt-Howard Christmas collectible insider guide, learn why these ceramics are so collectible and why prices are skyrocketing for these treasures.
Collecting the Rare Holt-Howard Noel Santa Set
Holt-Howard’s vintage Christmas collectibles are renowned for their captivating charm. These pieces transport us to a bygone era of festive celebrations and family traditions.
COLLECTOR’S ALERT! As of March 4, 2025, a Holt Howard Noel Santa set identical to the one pictured in our collection has been listed on Etsy (not my listing) for a staggering $3,995!
These rare mid-century treasures continue to skyrocket in value, making Antique Harvest’s curated collection not just nostalgic finds, but potential investment pieces. Stop by to see this coveted set in person before serious collectors snap up these increasingly scarce holiday icons!
I have a blog post about collecting Holt-Howard Pixieware you can read that has information and some history about the Holt-Howard company and how it started, why they moved their ceramic manufacturing to Japan and has some neat pictures of the famous Holt-Howard Pixieware collectibles if you want to learn a little bit about the company.
Last week we published post number 1 in our Vintage Christmas Collecting Series on collecting vintage NOEL sets and this week’s post is all about collecting Holt-Howard Christmas goodies so grab your favorite beverage, sit back and relax as I share some of my favorite Holt-Howard collectibles with you.
Holt Howard Noel Angel Candleholders
Vintage Holt-Howard Noel Angel Candleholder
Holt-Howard’s vintage Noel angel girl candleholders are the queens of kitschy Christmas charm! Dressed in snowy white robes sprinkled with golden starbursts, each sweet cherub proudly holds a red letter to spell out “NOEL,” topped with a festive green candleholder.
These pieces feature wide-eyed expressions and blushing cheeks. They offer the ultimate throwback to 1950s-60s holiday cheer.
Collectors go crazy for these iconic cuties and sets in great condition can fetch $800 to $1,800 or more! When hunting for your own heavenly set, keep an eye out for flawless halos, intact letters, and un-chipped candleholders.
This beautiful pristine set of Holt Howard Noel Candleholders is available now on at my shop Crazy4MeStyle
There are remarkable individuals with a golden touch, turning everything they touch into treasure, and Holt-Howard was one such person. He didn’t just dabble in pixieware; he made it famous. Pixieware is a unique ceramic pottery that has enchanted collectors and vintage enthusiasts worldwide.
Owning such Holt Howard pieces, you’ll appreciate their immense value. Holt-Howard’s creations remain sought-after today, with soaring prices. What makes pixieware so appealing, and how can you begin collecting Holt Howard’s masterpieces? Explore our price guide and collector tips to learn more!
Holt Howard Party Pixie
Collecting vintage Mid-Century modern kitsch ceramics offers unmatched enjoyment. At Crazy4Me, we’re passionate about vintage and kitsch and have curated exceptional Holt-Howard and pixieware pieces from the past six decades. For both experienced collectors and beginners, these items add delight and whimsy to any collection. Dive in and experience the magic—we promise you won’t be disappointed.
Vintage Napco Onion and Ketchup Pixieware Condiment JarsContinue reading →
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
Add some mid-century magic to your holiday decor! ✨
Whether you’re searching for the perfect Holt Howard piece, rare Napco and Norcrest ceramics, classic Noel sets, retro Shopper Girls, or a tree full of vintage Shiny Brite ornaments, we’ve got your nostalgia covered.
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.
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.
