Say Goodbye To Basic Christmas Decor: These Vintage Tree Ideas Will Take Your Breath Away

Let's face it: Vintage Christmas was just better. Whether it's because of the nostalgia, the unabashed kitschiness, or the flagrant disregard for flammability, decorations from the past were cozy, flashy, and all around fun. If you've been feeling like your Christmas decor has fallen flat the past few years while using modern decorations, you're not alone. Advice in recent years has encouraged the use of pared-back, cohesive decorations that don't overwhelm a space — a simple garland on the mantle or ornaments that fit neatly into a pre-determined color palette, for example. While this is beautiful and a great way to give your space a more curated festive look, vintage Christmas decor is on-trend this season. People are growing tired of toned down decorations that are about as exciting as the frozen trees outside and are instead opting to incorporate maximalism into their homes — on a temporary basis for the holidays, at least.

The easiest way to embrace vintage Christmas is simple: Go through your attic to track down the items you used to decorate your tree in years past. A vintage, nostalgic look will naturally come together as you load up the tree with old Hallmark ornaments and handmade baubles, but you don't have to stop there. If you're a fan of a more on the nose vintage aesthetic, consider swapping your tree for an aluminum one, a common sight in mid-century holiday decoration. Want to go even more classic? Look to Victorian trends and traditions to create your own handmade tree decor. The possibilities are endless, but once you stop worrying about creating a cohesive aesthetic, your tree is sure to come together regardless of what decorations you choose.

It's not just you — Christmas lights look different now than they did in the past. Incandescent lights used to be the standard, but in 2022, the sale of incandescent bulbs was banned in an effort to be more energy-efficient. If you want to get that vintage Christmas look, consider looking for bulbs secondhand or opting for lights that mimic the warmer glow of incandescents, like these Formosa Lights Ceramic Multicolor String Lights that come in a statement-making teardrop shape that's sure to pair well with your other vintage decor.

Shiny, sparkly, and shed-free, aluminum trees took homes by storm in the '50s and '60s. Even without ornaments accenting them, these trees make a bold statement with their fluffy, metallic branches. If you happen to have one hiding in your attic, you're in luck — as vintage trends cycle back through, these trees are being sold online for hundreds of dollars. You don't need a genuine vintage tree to get the look, though. A silver artificial tree will feel just as glamorous when styled with ornaments that nod to the era.

Shimmering strands of tinsel used to be all the rage during the holiday season, and if you want to give your tree a more vintage vibe, this is by far the quickest and easiest way to do so. Tinsel used to be made of lead, which, yes, was toxic, but was also gloriously shiny and easy to drape. Now that plastic alternatives are on the market, they don't have quite the same sheen, but they can still add a touch of vintage flair. Just make sure you don't use tinsel if you have pets!

Mid-century Christmas not vintage enough for you? Go antique instead and embrace some truly classic tree decorations. DIY tree decor like popcorn garlands, dried oranges, and pine cones are easy to make or source, making them easy additions if you're decorating for Christmas on a budget. They're also some of the first items that were ever used to decorate Christmas trees. Keep it simple with a few DIY strands and nothing store-bought, or modernize the look a bit with some matching ribbons, baubles, or durable and versatile fabric stars.

For another nod to vintage traditions, consider swapping your regular Christmas lights for faux candles. Martin Luther is credited with starting the practice of using candles on trees in the 1500s as a way to mimic the look of stars, and up until electric lighting was common, it was the primary way to illuminate your Christmas tree. While it might look pretty, however, attaching lit candles to a tree is a very obvious fire hazard. To get the same look, consider investing in a battery operated option like these Sunjas LED Flameless Candles.

A sparsely decorated tree dotted  with ornaments in a cohesive color scheme is a simple, subtle decoration that won't interfere with the rest of your decor. A vintage-inspired Christmas tree, however, should have the opposite effect. The approach of many past tree decorators was that more is more; tinsel, garland, ribbons, ornaments, and lights should be practically dripping off the tree, almost completely obscuring the branches themselves. If you feel like you've done too much, you're on the right track — you might even be able to add a little more.

If you're a fan of the home decor bow trend, there's no better place to try it out than on your Christmas tree. Bows might have been popular this year, but they're nothing new, especially around the holidays. Ribbons have been a popular Christmas tree decoration for centuries at this point, and no matter which vintage era you're looking to emulate, you'll likely find at least a couple of trees featuring fluffy bows. Keep it classic with some velvet ribbon, or go bold with something wired and glittery — the possibilities are endless.

Glass ornaments might not be the most durable choice out there (stay away, parents of curious cats and clumsy kids!) but they have an undeniably nostalgic charm. Glass ornaments have been around since the 16th century, but they saw a major surge in popularity in the 20th century. As such, they're likely what you grew up around. Nowadays, however, shatterproof plastic ornaments are dominating shelves, but it's still very easy to find nostalgic, beautiful, and silly glass ornaments in stores for that vintage feel.

We hate to break it to you, but unless you're a teenager, it's likely that items from your childhood are technically vintage nowadays. "Vintage" is a term used to describe items that are between 20 and 100 years old, so whether you grew up in the early aughts or the '50s, items you made in your childhood are likely reflective of their time. For a true, vintage-feeling tree, consider pulling out those silly handmade ornaments and keepsakes from decades past. Along with providing a hefty dose of nostalgia, they'll also blend perfectly with your other vintage decor.

In the '60s, bold Christmas decor reigned supreme, and this includes flocked trees. While many past decorators DIYed this frosty coating, nowadays, it's easy to get your fresh trees flocked at the farm or find artificial options online that have this chilly appearance. If you want a true vintage look, however, you have to resist the urge to opt for the subtle, monochromatic ornaments that have been trending recently. Instead, hang colorful metallic glass ornaments — they'll stand out beautifully against the lighter color of the tree's branches.

Pink trees feel very appropriate for the 2020s after the emergence of the Barbiecore trend and the popularity of the "Wicked" movies, but this colorful twist on a classic green tree actually has roots in past decor. In the '50s, pink was a major trending color. Pastels dominated decor schemes, and this extended to holiday decor. For a sugary sweet vintage look, consider picking up an artificial pink tree (or opting for a coating of colorful flocking on your real tree) and sprucing it up with candy-toned ornaments, shiny tinsel, and a star-shaped topper.

If you love the idea of a vintage tree but you don't have the space, you'd rather spend your budget on presents, or you have pets that will wreak havoc on your meticulously-decorated tree, consider exploring the world of alternative Christmas trees. These were actually big in the '70s, and in a decade that honored eco-friendliness and craftiness, it makes sense. To stick with the original spirit of these trees and embrace the '70s look, DIY your "tree" out of natural materials or try your hand at macrame to create a pretty and festive wall hanging.