Deck the Dining Room with Vintage Christmas

House & Home

December 8, 2020

This year in lieu of parties and guests and gatherings I thought I would focus on getting out all of my vintage Christmas collections. They needed a good cleaning, organizing and inventory as year after year I hurriedly tossed them in bins after the holidays. This year I got everything out and grouped my collections together and after years and years of collecting I was quite astonished what I had accumulated. (what else is new).

Holiday Decor Formal Dining Room

I wanted to give my vintage Christmas collections each a home within one of four rooms in this old farmhouse. I decided to decorate the living room, parlor, formal dining room and master bedroom. Aside from the kitchen this is where we spend the majority of our time at home and I wanted it to be warm and festive.

I went a little crazy with the fairy lights this year but when it gets dark so early the house just seems to glow with all the twinkling lights. It makes everything feel like it’s going to be alright to be celebrating differently this year. Joe said it best the other day that our house just seems to hold Christmas well. Maybe it’s the plaid carpet or that over 100 Christmas’s have passed in this old house but I couldn’t agree more with his statement.

Vintage Trophy Collection

It is interesting to decorate with vintage Christmas of the past. Our house from what we could find, was built in 1909 and most of my antique pieces start in the late 1800’s and go through the 1960’s. I love to think that the people who lived here before us might have purchased a brand new box of shiny brites to decorate their tree with. I’m sure they would keel over to find that a box of shiny brites now can get anywhere between $32 – $68 a box (pending condition and how old).

I didn’t want to take out all of my permanent collections like my trophies or jadeite because it took forever to get them exactly how I like them. Instead, I found ways to add in clusters of my collections into what was already there. If you have read my blog for a while you know that my go to style is stuff on top of stuff on top of stuff.

Festive SHiny Bright Green Garland

I picked up at least 4 live garlands for the house as well. I bought some at the Holland Farmers Market and some at Stems or Horrocks in town. They smell incredible and fresh around the house. I have forced myself to now avoid those sections because I can always find one more good spot for garland.

Festive Garland with Vintage Jadeite

The Christmas vintage collections that the formal dining room holds is my dancing Santa’s, putz houses and brass angle candle holders. Throughout the rest of the month I will show you all of the other things I’ve uncovered in my storage bins in the barn. I have been collecting vintage Christmas for over 10 years. My biggest antiquing regret to date is not buying a trophy for a neighborhood holiday decorating competition from 1940. What was I thinking!? (I wasn’t).

See more of my collections from years past here. 

Country Living Christmas December 2017 home feature here.

Vintage Display Cabinet full of Jadeite Pink Shiny Brite Ornaments Vintage Putz House and Ironstone Collection Vintage Dancing Santa Collection Vintage Dancing Santa Vintage Christmas Collection Vintage Christmas Collection in the Formal Dining room Vintage Art in the Formal Dining Room Vintage Christmas Brass Angel Candlesticks Vintage Christmas Formal Dining Room

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  1. Kathy Cook says:

    What a lovely blog…one that I could view over and over again. How special that you did this for your followers and especially for your family to enjoy. Merry, Merry Christmas!

  2. Elma says:

    Looks beautiful!! Love those Santa’s to!!

  3. Darleene says:

    Love all your collections. Bundles of Santa’s, and the dining room table with the crystal candles. Love all the garland.

  4. Diane says:

    Looks outstanding! You have a great collection of Christmas goodies

  5. Lisa says:

    So pretty! Love how festive and fun it all is!!!

  6. Erin says:

    I love how you nestle Christmas into your everyday decor. It’s beautiful!

  7. Katie Moseley says:

    I love all your collections! I remember wondering what to collect as a child. I guess collecting has always fascinated me. However, the practical side of my conscience always wins. “Where would you put those?” “Is that a need or a want?” Bla bla bla. If I could choose what to collect today, it would be white pitchers! I love love love your collection! Thank you for sharing. Merriest Christmas to you and yours!!

  8. Carol says:

    So beautiful

  9. Virginia Ritchey says:

    Thanks! I love seeing your treasures. Isn’t it fun to imagine past Christmas celebrations your house has shared. Happy holidays with your little one.

  10. Kelley says:

    Absolutely beautiful! I love the little Putz houses and the Santa collection. Merry Christmas to You and Yours

  11. Lori says:

    So happy to see your beautiful home all decked out for the holidays. It’s so cozy and inspiring and hope to see more of it. Otto is so lucky to get to grow up there (so are all the cats☺️).

Abigail Albers       Author

Abby is a wife and mother, antique shopper, entrepreneur, gardener, sheep lady, sequin enthusiast and your Midwest Martha Stewart Wannabe.. Follow her on instagram @adventuresinabbyland.

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