There is undeniably something timeless and cozy about a traditional Christmas that simply fills the house with reminiscence and charm. Christmas a long time ago was about fabric warmth, homemade ornaments, and warmth of tradition before the LED lights and new shiny metallic decor arrived. Vintage design brings back warm memories of the days of handwritten cards, glass ornaments, smelling of pine, and candles. It is not simply a style, it is a sentiment and relates to an actual holiday cheer. Vintage Christmas ornaments can also make your Christmas celebrations feel even more special (as long as you are planning to decorate your house, make your Christmas tree a Christmas tree, or you’re simply updating your Pinterest inspiration board). It not only stirs a feeling of being surrounded by warmth, love, family, and unforgettable memories. This year, we will go back in time and celebrate the past with these 10 vintage Christmas aesthetic ideas you should have on your board right now!
1. Traditional Red and Green Color Palette.
Vintage Christmas is premised on the conventional color pattern of green and red. In fact, these colors make the impression of nostalgia, coziness, and joy so quickly. Dark greens may never fail to depict the evergreens which symbolize immortality and deep red which symbolize vitality, love and joy. To maintain the antique appearance you want to decorate your room with garlands of forest-green, red velvet, gold bells and plaid cloths. To make the scheme somewhat soft, put on little gold and cream as a contrast. The vintage Christmas cannot be perfect because it is always subjective and thus, add textures in your house and combine lots of velvet, lace and flannel to give your house a calculated look of layers and exhaustion. The advantage of the red-and-green theme is that it is versatile; whatever size flat or room you are living in at any rate, it would never fail to make it handy, home-like and cozy.
2. Antiques and Glass Baubles
The old fashion ornaments have their stories to tell which new ones cannot. Hands painted figurines, mercury glass baubles and glass bells are graceful ways to add character and personality to your tree. Such old decorations were usually handed down to descendants, with each being filled with recollection of family celebrations and acts of laughter. You can do this by adding your current ornaments with the vintage-style look by searching for ornaments with dull metallic finishes, frosted edges and details that are full of detail. Even a few homemade ones with lace, fabric, or dried flowers are welcome to give it a really old-world feel. Put them under the light of warm yellow to make their texture and depth visible. Provided you are lucky to be endowed with family heirlooms, now is when you can flaunt them. These decorations do not just adorn your tree, these are stories that help to link the past and the present.
3. Homemade Popcorn Chains and Garlands made of Paper
An authentic vintage Christmas was always accompanied by the beauty of home-made decor. Garlands of papers, strings of popcorn, and cranberries all used to be a part of holiday decoration which was so easy and so cheap to make and yet so warm in the heart. Handmade offers more than just a rustic element to your decor and not to mention the uniting quality it brings to families. Make colorful chains of paper or popcorn and cranberries with strings to get a natural and old-fashioned look. They should be hung in the tree or mantle or windows to make the nostalgic feel alive. To add additional details, dried orange slices or cinnamon sticks are recommended – not only will it be a beautiful sight but it will also help to fill your house with the warm Christmas air. The beauty of DIY garlands is their incompleteness; every single detail has got a story and makes your decoration look personal and natural as it was during the Christmases of the past.
4. Old-fashioned Christmas Tree Decorations
A vintage Christmas tree is not only an issue of decoration, but it is a matter of feeling. Visualize the wrong decorations, tinsel which is sparkling softly, and a combination of both shiny and dull surfaces. It is not aimed at building a designer tree but something that will be cozy and nostalgic. Use old-style string lights that have larger bulbs in place of the modern fairy lights, use ribbons in place of garlands and find a traditional star or angel topper to finish the effect. A few old toys or wrapped boxes under the tree can even be placed to add to the old-fashioned effect. A finishing touch is a tree skirt of lace or flannel. The mix of vintage lights, handmade decorations, and nostalgic elements will bring you to the childhood Christmas mornings with their feeling of cheerful simplicity.
5. Intertwined Comfy Knitted Stockings and Quilted Blankets
Nothing is older than the view of knitted stockings that are hung by the side of the fireplace and the quilts that are lying on the couch. Wear wool or cable-knitted stockings in cream, red and green colors. To produce an extra nostalgic effect you may embroider names on them like families did. Fill your living room with fat knit blankets, plaid blankets, homemade cushions and you have a winter escape of the cold. The decor is contributed by the combination of different styles like checks, stripes and crochet. It is really beautiful to behold and your place is also welcoming to have a cup of hot cocoa and read a book or watch a Christmas movie with people you love. The message on vintage Christmas is the sense of warmth and there is nothing that makes a person feel warmer than a warm blanket and a fireplace.
6. Candle and Warm glow lighting
The use of lighting in creating the mood in a retro-Christmas background is important. Before the invention of LED lamps, houses were illuminated in the low flickering light of candlelight and incandescent lamps. In order to produce the same effect, put in the pillar candles in brass holders, lanterns or candelabras everywhere around the room. In lieu of coarse white lights, install warm yellow lights by picking light strings and hanging them over the staircase or the windows. Fairy lights may also be put in glass jars to make it look a bit magical. It is directed at the creation of warm lighting that is comfortable and relaxing. Candlelight puts the romance, nostalgia, the old-world touch into a room and it will immediately turn a merry one. It is the type of radiance that will make one slow, relax, and appreciate the beauty of the present.
7 Old Fashioned Christmas Cards and Gift Wraps
An old fashioned Christmas is not complete without hand written cards and gifts that have been well wrapped. Select the cards with retro illustrations: think Santa in a sleigh, reindeer, holly leaves, Holiday typography of the 1950s. Wrapping paper should be avoided with the glossy designs of the modern world, and instead be covered with kraft paper, old newspapers, or flowery design which is tied with ribbons of satin or twine. Incorporate such details as dried flowers, mini bells or hand made gift tags. Even filling envelopes with wax will make you feel like you are in an old-fashioned class. The use of handwriting to write touching messages gives the message a sense of genuineness that can not be matched by electronic messages. All these little things revive the happiness of giving something in the middle of the Christmas spirit that makes the holiday really personal and significant.
8 Old-Fashioned Kitchen and Baking Decor
Every home at Christmas, particularly vintage Christmas homes, are all about the kitchen, where the memories, smells and laughter come in. Have your kitchen hints of red gingham tablecloths, mason jars of candy cane and actual old metal cookie tins – these are all nostalgic. Before baking your cookies have a few classic wooden spoons, old mixing bowls and recipe cards on hand to make it all look vintage retro. Bake cookies for the taste, but also for the youthful smell of baking gingerbread cookies, fruitcake, and sprinkled sugar cookies – just for the memories. You could also hang mini-wreaths on the doors of cabinets or pinsettias in old teapots for vases. It is all in the idea of making it look like you are a member of a family tradition over generations to make the kitchen warm, welcoming and alive.
9 Christmas Movies and Christmas Music of the past
There is no old-fashioned Christmas that will be complete without the music of old traditional songs and the beauty of some old films. To make your home warm, play classic Christmas songs of the legends Bing Crosby, Nat King Cole, and Frank Sinatra. Their vocals and traditional sounding are smooth and just right in setting the nostalgic atmosphere. In the case of movies, opt to watch heartwarming classics such as It is a beautiful life, White Christmas, or Miracle on 34th street. One can be transported back in time immediately after watching these films in the presence of soft lights and warm decor. It is an emotional time machine because music and movies remind us of the laughter, family get-togethers and magic moments which make Christmas feel as long as it is eternal.
10 A feel of nature and rusticism
Vintage Christmas decor is usually based on nature and has been combined with the simplicity and elegance. Pinecones, evergreen branches, twigs, dried oranges, etc. are the items used to make your house look rustic. Make homemade wreaths and use real plants and tie them using velvet ribbons and hang it on doors or windows. To create the rustic appearance, place wooden sleds, old lanterns or old baskets with firewood close to the fireplace. The use of nature in your decor actually does not make it look dated, but adds a relaxing contrast to all the glitz and the color. Natural materials and warm colors make your home seem like you are in the countryside, relaxing, earthy, and exactly vintage.
Conclusion
Vintage Christmas is not just a theme on the decorations; it is a homage to the homeliness, family, and memory. It takes us back to the day when the holidays were not as much about being perfect as they are nowadays. Combining homemade decorations, vintage colors as well as heartwarming elements, you can transform your house into a comfortable escape which is filled with affection and vintage charm. You can be adorning your tree, preparing gifts or just sitting by your candlelight cocoa and a vintage Christmas helps you to slow down and experience the magic of the season in its purest state. So nail these thoughts, collect these best memories, and make your house shine with the perennial beauty of Christmas of yore.
