Vintage Christmas Starts Now: Tinsel, Santa Mugs, MCM & More

Vintage HF Co Girl Snowman Planter
Vintage HF Co Girl Snowman Planter

 (A Crazy4Me Holiday Kickoff!)

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
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
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
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
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
Vintage Lefton Christmas Santa Decanter Mug Set

Want to start your own vintage Christmas collection?


Check out my post: Kitschmas 101: Best Tips for Collecting Mid-Century Christmas

Here’s to the sparkle, the nostalgia, and the pure joy of a Vintage Christmas season ahead. 💖

Why Vintage NOEL Sets Are Perfect for Christmas in July

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
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
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
Vintage Christmas Noel Collection

Collectible Variety

1950s Grimco Japan NOEL Bells Vintage Christmas
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 Set
Holt Howard Noel Santa Figurine Set
Menschik Goldman Noel Snowman
Menschik 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
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 my Insider Guide to the Best Holt-Howard Christmas Collectibles—it’s a must-read for every festive collector!