The Rare Vintage Santa Decor That Thrift Store Enthusiasts Are Always Looking For

During the winter and pre-winter months, shopping at thrift stores is all about checking out Christmas-season decor, from cute snowmen to collectible Santas. Thrifting your decor is a great way to find rare vintage pieces that you can't get at places that only sell new things (unless you're okay with replicas). As you're walking down those holiday aisles at your local thrift and resale shops, we suggest you keep an eye out for Santa Clauses, because they could end up being highly collectible vintage items from Holt Howard. In fact, Holt Howard Christmas items are often included on lists of valuable vintage Christmas items to look for at estate sales and thrift stores.

One of the easiest Holt Howard items to spot is the Santa mug, which often depicts a winking Santa Claus. But the mugs aren't the only Holt Howard Santas that are worth money and sought after by resellers and collectors alike. Look for Santa trains, winking Santa salt and pepper shakers, and even Santa candle holders. These Santas are a hot commodity you should snatch up while thrifting. If you find one, you may be curious to know if what you found is a Holt Howard piece — and how much it may actually be worth.

If you find a cute Santa (winking or not) at the thrift store, one of the sure ways to determine if it is an authentic Holt Howard piece is to flip it over and look for either a stacked HH stamp, or Holt-Howard stamp on the bottom. The company got its start in 1949, and if you find the HH, you have found a Holt Howard original made before 1979. If you have the Holt-Howard stamp, the piece was probably made between 1980 and 1990. There are plenty of knockoffs on the market, so it's important to verify that you've found a real Holt Howard. These cute pieces, called pixieware, began to lose popularity in the late 1960s, which may have contributed to the company's folding by the '90s. 

And, if you have scored yourself an authentic Santa, it could be worth a few bucks — some worth far more than others. Although Holt Howard made a variety of ceramic figures, the Christmas themed items are the most coveted.  A winking Santa pitcher recently sold for just under $200 on eBay, while a pair of quirky Santa salt and pepper shakers went for $80. Even a single winking mug could be worth around $50. The love of these collectibles could be down to their whimsy, but mid-century modern is a trend that comes in and out of style over the years, and it could be that popularity that keeps people on the lookout for these post-war Santa collectibles. Plus, these adorable Santas are a stylish way to bring a little kitsch into your kitchen during the holidays.