Hello friends and thank you for visiting today. The next installment of the THRIFTED GOODIES series is a fun one! If you enjoy thrift shopping and love the thrill of the hunt, then this post is for you. Thrifts are a great source for fabulous Christmas decor, which is unique, affordable and extremely gratifying. Come on in and lets talk all about thrifting for Christmas decor.
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All About the Thrifted Goodies Series
The Thrifted Goodies series consists of monthly posts where my friend, Rachel, from the Antiqued Journey, and I share thrift store intel. Topics might include particular finds, tips, stylings, techniques, up-cycles, and general advice about thrift shopping mostly for home decor in general. Some months we invite a guest host. Thank you for joining us.
Today I am exploring all about options and opportunities for finding great holiday decorations at thrift shops. There’s a wide variety of offerings including holiday specific decor to great collectibles that are super adaptable for the holidays and pieces which can be altered.
Rachel is sharing all about decking the halls in a sustainable and budget friendly way. She always finds the most amaZing pieces! You don’t want to miss her latest post. If you don’t know Rachel yet, when you are done here, head over to visit Rachel and introduce yourself, while you check out her new post {deck-the-halls-sustainably-thrifted-christmas-decor-on-a-budget}.
You can also find Rachel in her other spaces; give her a follow:
Christmas Decor to Look for while Thrifting
Holiday Motifs
Of course items with Holiday specific graphics is an easy option. The motif should be something which speaks to you specifically not just necessarily because it’s holiday specific. Holly is a favorite of mine, and I have found some fun pieces, which coordinate with my vintage style and harmonizes with my other decor. I don’t necessarily use red in my Christmas decor, but I’m ok with a few holly berries because those green holly leaves are everything to me. Look for whatever speaks to you whether it’s Santa Claus figurines or Angels or whatever it might be. There’s no right or wrong it’s just what makes you happy and works with your signature style.
Brass French horns are also a favorite of mine. I had quite a few back in the day when I peddled vintage wares but they all sold. The fact they sold is a good thing but I actually wish I had them now. lol. Anyway, I found one thrifting not too long ago. I love how it plays nice with the brass candlesticks I’ve started to collect.
Plates and Dishes
I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again. I love dishes. I am a self professed dishaholic. When I find dishes which will match and compliment my own collections whether fancy or everyday I scoop them up if they are priced right. it’s a great way to expand your collection and round out your decorative pieces.
Green transferware is a favorite of mine and it’s a great foil for Christmas vignettes. You can read more about my collection here {thrifted green transferware}. Look for plates and dishes that coordinates with your aesthetic and you can inject into your decor and tablescapes.
Candlesticks
Candlesticks are a great thrift store find. There are so many options from glass to silver, brass, wood, pewter and more. My most recent growing collection is brass (I know late to the game here), but I spent years curating my silver collection. Now I have switched to brass. I have owned the holly set for a long time now, loving the holly shape.
My silver candlesticks are my absolute favorite, and I use them all the time. Candle sticks are a great way to create ambiance, and they are prefect for decorative vignettes no matter the season. At Christmas time they just seem extra special when they cast sparkle and shine around everything.
Silver
Silver plate is one of my absolute favorite things to hunt for at thrifts. I have been doing it for so many years now, that I only seek really unusual pieces. They are great for so many purposes, and I try to use pieces in unusual ways. Last year I shared all about {How to Use Thrifted Silver in Christmas Decor}.
There are so many different pieces, I feel there is something for everyone, even if you’re not obsessed as I am. Silver and Christmas decor look so pretty together, and although I use silver all year long it’s my favorite this time of year. Silver with greenery is such a simple yet fabulous holiday look.
Milk Glass
Another fun collectible around here is vintage milk glass. The creamy white texture is perfect for any decor aesthetic. I have found that the price of milk glass has escalated a bit in the last few years, but you can still find some great deals. You just have to keep your eye out and include vintage milk glass on your ongoing thrift list.
I find milk glass looks slightly different with what it is displayed with whether glam or rustic it takes on a different look. Make it yours and let it work with your decor.
Thrifting Pro Tip: Always have a list of items you are looking for and interested in along with any pertinent measurements for said items. Add the list to your notes in your phone so you always have the list with you whenever you pop into a thrift.
Glass Bottles
Glass bottles is another item which can easily be found at thrift stores. I started a green bottle collection years ago (no surprise there), which I have curated through the years. And although they are all second hand finds some are thrift store treasures while others are antique store scores. Thrifting is a great way to round out a curated collection at a more affordable price.
Bottles come in so many different colors and shapes which can also be adapted to many decorative styles. You can read more about my latest piece here {the many benefits of thrifting}.
Frames
Frames in all sorts of shapes and sizes are a favorite thrift find of mine. I talked about it at the last thrifted goodies installment {How to Use Thrifted Frames}. In that blog post I shared many seasonal decor ideas through the year, but I did not have a Christmas time example. And here we are.
These are the same frames I used for the Halloween vignette {How to Create a Spooky Halloween Portrait Gallery}. This shows how depending on what you decide to display in the frames, changes the whole look. I chose to use some holly inspired graphics from the Graphics Fairy. For the large frame I layered a laurel wreath on Christmas sheet music.
Books
Vintage books are another thrift store favorite, which are forever on my ongoing thrift store list. They add incredible texture and interest to any home decor. They make incredible risers and fillers for many decorative vignettes.
Besides decorative books you can also find many holiday specific books. Thrift stores always have Christmas specific books, which are unique and super interesting. They add a great layer to seasonal decor.
Thrifting Pro Tip: Look at thrift store finds while thinking outside the box. Sometimes you like an item, but don’t need to use it for its intended purpose. Make it yours!
Things to use with Thrifted Christmas Decor
Holiday Greenery and Florals
Seasonal florals and greenery are great accents. They make everything flourish and come alive, whether it’s one sprig or a whole greenhouse. Organics and fresh items always add incredible texture and brightness to any space.
Ornaments and Baubles
Christmas is all about the decorations. All the ornaments and baubles are not only for the Christmas tree, but look great in so many different ways. They look great in baskets, bowls, vases and more.
Fabrics and Ribbons
Ribbons and bows are all over the place right now. By simply adding a bow or ribbon to any piece of decor it immediately elevates the whole experience.
Printables and Graphics
Seasonable cards and graphics add another layer of interest to decor. You can find so many fabulous printables on line for free which create instant affordable decor.
Closing Thoughts
I hope this has inspired you to hunt for some thrifted Christmas decorations. There are many options from holiday specific pieces to broader options, which can be used throughout the year for different occasions and seasons.
Thank you for being here today, and please hop over and visit my thrifty friend Rachel @ The Antiqued Journey for more Christmas thrift inspiration.
Shopping the Vintage Thrifted Frame Look
- I love holly and Lenox china, which makes this serving platter perfection!
- I love the look of this Mikasa holly china.
- I’m loving the look of this brass French horn candlestick.
- These brass candlesticks have a fabulous vintage look.
- Great assorted silver candles sticks.
- The feet on this silver bowl are everything.
- Here’s an authentic vintage milk glass bowl
- 8×10 Vintage Embossed Frame
- 5×7 Ornate Tabletop Frame
- 4×6 Oval Frame
- These are some of the light brown velvet bows I’m using
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Christmas doesn’t come from a store. Maybe Christmas perhaps means a little bit more.”
The Grinch ~ Dr. Seuss