It’s Beginning to Look Like ... A Tacky Christmas

If you’re active on social media, especially if you see it as a way to check out other people’s decorations without leaving your own home, you may have seen the term “Tacky Christmas” this year. Apparently, it means decorating with your own traditions and personal preferences in mind instead of trying to follow this year’s trends so your Christmas photos can fit in with a carefully curated Instagram account. It’s about joy over aesthetics, festivity instead of fashion.

As many users have pointed out, it’s basically how most people decorate for Christmas anyway, and they have done it for years. And if you are, in fact, the kind of person who keeps up with the latest fashions, it’s on-trend this year! According to publications like Elle Decor and House Beautiful, “vintage” and “nostalgia” are key decorating terms. In August, Good Housekeeping even forecasted “Kitschmas” as the biggest upcoming Christmas trend!

And the best part is, of course, you don’t have to buy all-new decorations to stay in style. You probably have all you need—especially if you’re a collector! Here are a few authentic vintage pieces from recent auctions that capture the right style.

What says “vintage Christmas kitsch” better than a classic aluminum Christmas tree?

This 72″ aluminum Christmas tree, with the original box, sold for $531 at Uniques and Antiques, Inc. on Dec. 2, 2024. (Lot 0437)

Uniques and Antiques, Inc&period;

When it comes to vintage Christmas decorations, a ceramic Christmas tree might be the next best thing to an aluminum one.

This Ceramic Christmas tree with multicolor plastic lights sold for $130 at Apple Tree Auction Center on May 22, 2024. (Lot 313)

Apple Tree Auction Center

Decorations with a handmade look are in style, even if you didn’t make them yourself. Materials like mesh, cardboard, and pipe cleaners make this Santa candy container look homemade.

This 7″ x 4 “Santa Claus candy container, with a celluloid face, mesh body, cardboard base, and pipe cleaner trim, was made in Japan in c.1930. It sold for $47 at Rich Penn Auctions on Nov. 2, 2024. (Lot 204, 10/16/24)

Rich Penn Auctions

Woodland themes are recommended for a nostalgic look. An auction lot like this with several small decorations has all you need.

This lot includes three bottle brush trees, a white tree, and three white metal reindeer. The largest reindeer is 5″ x 4″. The lot sold for $55 at Hartzell’s Auctions on Nov. 20, 2024. (Lot 0021)

Hartzell&CloseCurlyQuote;s Auctions

How about wooden toys for an old-fashioned Christmas? These vintage jointed ornaments evoke pull toys of the past.

This lot of two wooden pull-toy ornaments with articulated arms and legs (the largest of which is 6-3/4″ tall) sold for $13 at The Benefit Shop Foundation Inc. on Nov. 20, 2024. (Lot 0371)

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Bright colors and metallic decorations are more trends for this year—and years past.

This set of four multicolor mercury glass Christmas ornaments sold for $112 at Apple Tree Auction Center on Oct. 14, 2024. (Lot 1584)

Apple Tree Auction Center

Whether you see them as charmingly nostalgic or delightfully kitschy, vintage Christmas ornaments evoke memories of simpler, merrier times. Embracing these quirky treasures is not just decorating—it’s celebrating the holiday spirit with a playful wink to the timeless charm of Christmas past.

You may also like:

How to Have a Very Vintage Christmas

Holt-Howard warms the nostalgic holiday heart

The History of Shiny Brite Ornaments

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Tags: Collectible