The Stunning Vintage Glass Christmas Decor You Can Thrift That Lights Up Your Tree

Christmas is a time of year when magic and wonder seem to fill the air, and nothing feels more magical than vintage holiday decor. The soft shimmer of the lights, the bright colors of hand-painted designs, and the way each piece seems to glow undeniably adds to the joy of Christmas. One popular tradition of the holidays is passing on these lovely vintage decorations for each new generation to enjoy. But if you aren't one of the lucky few who has inherited vintage Christmas decorations, no worries – you can always find some at the thrift store.

While Christmas decorations have changed dramatically over the decades, many people still love to use vintage mercury glass tree toppers. These ornaments help give your home a nostalgic Christmas decor, and they're not hard to find at a great price, either. This is because they were mass produced for multiple decades. Even before being mass produced, mercury glass Christmas decorations were around for over 100 years. They were first made in Germany in the 1840s, most likely because of their beautiful, shiny look, which is achieved by lining the inside of the glass with silver nitrate. This is probably why they are still so popular today: After all, we all want our Christmas trees to sparkle.

Now is a great time to hunt for your dream vintage tree topper, as many thrift and antique stores will be featuring them on displays or shelves for you to find. But you should be aware that not all mercury glass is vintage. Due to their popularity, modern replicas have been produced over the years, as many companies continue to take advantage of the vintage Christmas decor trends dominating each holiday season.

If you're looking for a truly vintage mercury glass tree topper to crown your Christmas tree, there are a few ways to tell if what you've found is authentic. Look for brands like Shiny Brite, George Franke Sons, Fantasia, Paragon Glass Works, or Coby, to name a few of the vintage producers. If you're lucky enough to find a glass topper with a label that says "West Germany," you can be pretty sure it's vintage.

To get the best sparkle from your vintage glass topper, find some bubble lights and tinsel to really get that vintage Christmas feel. If you can't find any mid-century Christmas lights, there are plenty of companies out there that sell replicas which, to be honest, are probably safer. And remember, it's not just about the decorations — it's the traditions that your family makes around the tree that imbues them with that special holiday magic.