How to Thrift Your Way to Fabulous Christmas Decor

Thrifts are full of silver-plate pieces, and I love decorating with silver all year long, but it’s truly magical at Christmas time. Silver with greenery, pine cones, ornaments and other holiday elements looks fabulous and fits in cottage, farmhouse, traditional, rustic homes and more. There is a huge range of silver pieces from decorative trays to candlesticks and pitchers and the list goes on. Using silver pieces in unexpected ways adds charm and personality to your home. For example, use a silver water pitcher as a vase or hang a tray with greenery and bells as a wall display.

This post provides a ton of silver Christmas information if you’re as obsessed with silver as I am:

You can find many basket options at reasonable prices at thrifts. Since thrifting has become a trend many items have seen an uptick in pricing but baskets remain humble. Baskets are perfect for Christmas decor with all the texture and earthy colors. Also keep in mind that you can always alter baskets if the color is not exactly what you want but the shape is fabulous.

Green and red transfer-ware is beautiful to use anytime of year, but it’s especially perfect for Christmas decor. When using dishes for decorating you don’t need a full set of dishes, making the one off pieces you find at thrifts ideal. Finding a random plate or bowl tends to be less expensive than a full matching set, but it’s the perfect accent for a Christmas decor vignette.

I have a small collection of green transferware, which I love using at Christmas time. You can read about it here:

Milk glass is another collectible which is easy to find at thrifts. Although I have seen prices go up and unusual pieces are harder to find, you can certainly start a collection thrifting and add more pieces later with other second hand sources. The milky white color and texture of these pieces lends itself to so many decor aesthetics, themed motifs and holiday accents.

Brass is one of the things on my thrifting list right now, and I’m growing my collection. Candlesticks with brassy goodness are fabulous for Christmas and beyond. Brass has great warmth and Old World timeless feels. Not only is it great for Christmas but it’s lovely all year long. Candlesticks are my main hunts, but other pieces like a bud vase and trinket dish have snuck into my collection.

Frames are just like baskets in that they haven’t had a huge surge in prices, and I continuously bring them home for so many uses. They are great for framing seasonal artwork, or as a base for a craft project or simply leaning on a shelf with simple details. The great thing about frames is that they come in so many different aesthetics and materials. I prefer gilded and ornate wooden frames, but there are metal and resin options in modern or whimsical shapes.

Using books in home decor is a fairly easy and inexpensive way to add unique touches around your home. Vintage books are a wonderful decor element that add warmth, texture and character to home decor. I love the gold foil on the spine and covers of many vintage books.

Thrifts are a great resource for unique collectible pieces. If you own a collection of something, incorporating them into your holiday decor provides a unique look you will not find at major retailers. It will make your holiday decor stand out and create a cozy and charming atmosphere in your home.

My latest collectible obsession are swans, and I love incorporating them into seasonal decor. You can find out about my swan journey here:

Obviously Holiday themed decor is a great find at thrifts, but since it only has a short window of purpose, I have certain rules I follow. The value of the item is more important than normal all year long thrifting. What does this mean? The items needs to be reasonably priced and in pristine secondhand condition. Also if a particular item is a coveted brand or maker I might bend the rule within reason. The item has to serve you. The holly motif is a favorite of mine and my eye is always drawn to it. I have a few pieces I absolutely love and only paid a few dollars for each.

Vintage graphics always add a layer of interest and refinement to decor vignettes. Vintage postcards are a favorite of mine which I try to use for all holidays. This one with holly leaves totally grabbed me. Also vintage books with Christmas themes are gold! Last year I also found an album cover for Christmas songs, which I absolutely love (you can preview it in the opening image).