Jingle in July: Vintage Christmas Celebration

Greetings, fellow vintage lovers and Christmas aficionados! The sun may be shining, and the beach might be calling, but here on our cozy corner of the internet, we’re channeling a winter wonderland with a kitschy twist. Yes, it’s that magical time when we blend the nostalgic charm of yesteryear with the sun-soaked joy of summer—welcome to Christmas in July!

Vintage Vibes: A Trip Down Memory Lane

Imagine stepping into a time capsule where tinsel shimmers, Santa sports a Hawaiian shirt, and the scent of freshly brewed coffee mingles with the sweetness of candy canes. That’s right, we’re taking a trip back to the 1950s and 60s, when Christmas was all about big, bold decorations, and the spirit of the season was captured in the most delightfully kitschy ways.

Mid-Century Modern Merriment

Vintage Aluminum Christmas Tree
Vintage Aluminum Christmas Tree

Nothing says mid-century modern like a sleek aluminum Christmas tree adorned with vibrant, colorful ornaments. Picture your living room bathed in the warm glow of vintage fairy lights, casting a festive hue over your cherished collection of retro baubles. Add a few classic mid-century furniture pieces, and your space is ready for the ultimate Christmas in July celebration.

Pinup Perfection: Fashion to Flaunt

Vintage Christmas Fashion
Vintage Christmas Fashion

Let’s not forget the fashion! Channel your inner pinup girl with playful, flirty novelty print swing skirt, and cherry red lipstick. Imagine greeting your guests in a darling vintage-inspired apron, serving up frosty eggnog and festive treats with a smile that rivals the twinkle of your Christmas lights.

For the gents, think dapper with a twist: Hawaiian shirts in holiday prints, bow ties, and perhaps a jaunty Santa hat. After all, Christmas in July is all about embracing the unexpected and having a little fun with tradition.

Collectibles and Curios: Deck Your Halls

This is the perfect time to showcase your collection of vintage Christmas decorations. From ceramic Santa figurines to glittering tree toppers, each piece tells a story of holidays past. Create a whimsical display on your mantel or a festive centerpiece for your July soiree. And don’t forget the stockings—hang them with care, and maybe even fill them with summer-themed goodies for a unique twist.

Spread the Cheer: Kindness and Compassion Year-Round

Christmas in July is more than just festive decorations and joyful gatherings—it’s a reminder to spread the spirit of kindness and compassion every day. Just as we go the extra mile to make others feel loved and cherished during the holiday season, let’s carry that warmth into our everyday lives. Small acts of kindness, like a thoughtful note, a warm smile, or helping a neighbor, can brighten someone’s day. Volunteer your time at local charities, donate to those in need, or simply lend an ear to a friend. By embracing the essence of Christmas—generosity, empathy, and love—we can make every day a little brighter for everyone around us. Remember, it’s the little things that create the biggest impact, and there’s no better time to start than now.

Closing Thoughts

Christmas in July is the perfect excuse to blend your love for all things vintage, kitsch, and mid-century modern with the sunny spirit of summer. So, deck the halls, don your pinup finest, and raise a glass to the most whimsical, wonderful time of the year—no matter the season!

Remember, it’s not about the date on the calendar but the joy in your heart and the sparkle in your eye. Here’s to celebrating Christmas in July with all the charm and cheer of a true vintage holiday. Cheers, darlings!

Craving even MORE vintage Christmas magic?

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Dive into a treasure trove of Vintage Christmas Ceramics history, discover forgotten manufacturers, and feast your eyes on stunning photos of vintage decorations, all in one fabulous book! Unwrap the magic of Christmas past and add this gem to your collection.

Uncover even more festive history, rare collectibles, and the stories behind those treasured decorations. My Vintage Christmas Collecting Series is your one-stop shop for everything vintage Christmas. Don’t miss out!

Get your twinkle on with the Starry Eyed Santa top, and other vintage kitschy designs available in a wide range of styles to suit everyone:

  • Sizes: Small through 4XL, ensuring a perfect fit for all body types.
  • Colors: Choose from winter white, sleek black, and more.
  • Women’s, Men’s, Unisex Styles:

Find your perfect looks and spread the cheer in style at Crazy4Me Style Shop!

The Best Holt-Howard Christmas Collectibles Insider Guide

Holt-Howard Starry Eyed Santa Salt and Pepper Shakers
Holt-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. Holt-Howard’s vintage Christmas collectibles are renowned for their captivating charm and nostalgic allure, transporting us to a bygone era of festive celebrations. Join us in uncovering the stories behind these cherished pieces and learn how to build your own remarkable collection.

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.

Yasmina Greco collecting vintage Christmas

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.

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4 Tips on How to Nail the Classic Curvy Christmas Outfit

Mid-Century Modern Christmas Outfit

It’s the most wonderful time of the year! ‘Tis the season for eggnog, gingerbread, and most importantly…Christmas parties and photos! If you’re anything like me, you love getting all dressed up for a festive soirée. But if you’re also like me, you struggle to find a flattering Christmas outfit that fits your curves just right. Never fear! I’m here to help you find the perfect ensemble that will have you feeling confident and fabulous all night long.

One of my favorite parts about the holidays is getting all decked out in my finest clothes and going to holiday parties. Unfortunately, finding a flattering and stylish outfit can be a bit of a challenge when you’re curvy. Too often, I find myself feeling self-conscious and uncomfortable in ill-fitting clothes that just don’t work with my body type. But this year, I’m determined to find the perfect Christmas outfit that makes me feel confident and beautiful. Here are a few tips that I’ve learned along the way:

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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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Dreaming of a Mid-Century Modern Christmas

Mid-Century Modern Christmas December 2014 has been a very difficult month. My mother-in-law passed away and we are not feeling that ‘holiday cheer’ this year. We spent the last couple weeks at her house clearing things out etc. The house was built in 1964 and has those iconic Mid-Century starburst details, period lighting fixtures, authentic Mid-Century kitchen and that fabulously pink bathroom. Mom loved Christmas, and she always decorated and made the best holiday treats. We will miss mom very much!!

Here’s an ode to a Mid-Century Modern Christmas;  pics from Pinterest.

Mid-Century Modern Christmas

Mid-Century Modern Christmas Tinsel Tree

Mid-Century Modern Christmas

Mid-Century Modern Christmas Tree

Mid-Century Modern Christmas Pink

Mid-Century Modern Christmas at Midway Antique Mall

 photo 3 MOLDs

This past weekend we took a drive to Sacramento to one of our favorite antique malls ‘Midway Antique Mall’.  This is the mall that has such amazing mid-century modern rooms….yes, actually rooms that have been styled just like they were in the 50s/60s. You have a few kitchens, living rooms, lounges, waiting rooms from the 50s/60s and more. It is so cool! Nice to see a lot of the rooms had been ‘sold’ and new ones were being setup.

I was hoping to find some great vintage Christmas but there wasn’t much on this trip so, either it already all sold, or, there just wasn’t much put out. There was one booth that was full of vintage yard ornaments blow molds and some decorative ornaments too.

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My favorite find was this cart! It was my husband that pointed it out. I have been hunting for a blue vintage 50s/60s cart for a long time. Also found some vintage Christmas towels, a lovely Napco umbrella girl, a light-up vintage Christmas tree topper, an adorable vintage Christmas reindeer ashtray,  and a teal clock. The cart is by far my favorite find and it is already getting much use housing our printers!!