Vintage Inspired Nostalgic Christmas Ornaments

What better way to decorate for the holiday season than by showcasing vintage holiday decorations such as nostalgic Christmas ornaments. Whether you already have some vintage Christmas ornaments from your childhood and you’d like to add to your collection, or you’re shopping for new tree ornaments that embrace an old fashioned Christmas tree look, there are some beautiful nostalgic Christmas ornaments on the market today.

Vintage Christmas ornaments that add a touch of nostalgia might be a classic stocking ornament, a Santa ornament or an old fashioned truck carrying a Christmas tree. There’s a certain “look” to these nostalgic ornaments that ignites more of a feeling- whether it brings back childhood memories, or makes you feel as though the ornament could have been your parent’s, grandparent’s or great-grandparent’s! It takes you back to a simple time and place, one that feels warm and cozy, full of holiday cheer and time with family- what the holiday season is all about!

Decorating a kids Christmas tree? Be sure to check out these easy and fun Christmas tree themes for kids!

*Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. All opinions and recommendations are my own.

Why You’ll Love Nostalgic Christmas Ornaments

In recent years, there has been a rapid rise in embracing vintage Christmas decorations and holiday decor that feels classic and timeless- some have always been on this bandwagon, while others are now really leaning into those good ol’ days of yore! There are so many reasons to embrace this holiday decor style and decorate your tree this year with vintage-inspired nostalgic Christmas ornaments, and here are a few:

Classic and Timeless Decor- Decorating with vintage inspired holiday ornaments is not a trend that will come and go, it’s truly timeless. It can be an ornament that looks like your great-grandmother’s and it can be an ornament you can see being passed down to your own grandchildren one day.
Versatile– Since classic Christmas ornaments aren’t boasting bold and bright designs or “loud” features, these nostalgic Christmas ornaments can blend into any other decorations you might have on your tree. I’ve seen stunning Christmas trees with gorgeous blue ribbons, golden bells, and vintage Christmas ornaments that work perfectly together, just as I’ve seen a coastal Christmas inspired tree with pops of nostalgic ornaments nestled into the branches work just as seamlessly.
Easy To Find– You no longer need to shop the flea markets to find a vintage ornament, in fact, Amazon has a HUGE selection of one of my absolute favorite classic ornament brands: Old World Christmas (I’ve linked MANY below!). This is the same brand of ornaments that I find in high-end shops, and it’s easy to find here online too (as long as they don’t sell out!).
Childhood Memories- Nostalgic Christmas ornaments are filled with childhood memories of the holiday season- from a classic sled ornament that reminds you of childhood sledding adventures, or a Santa Claus ornament that ignites feelings of childhood Christmas Eve excitement.
Meaningful Gifts– Often, classic Christmas ornaments have been passed down from friends and family, but they’re also a great gift to give! Many people like having their own style for other holiday decorations throughout their home, whether it be a Christmas village, or decorations on the fireplace mantle, but Christmas tree ornaments that have that nostalgic touch and a special meaning are more welcomed as a meaningful gift. (And it really can be the perfect gift for the holidays!). Even if the ornament doesn’t signify the holidays per se, it could be a nostalgic way to remember a series of beautiful milestones such as an heirloom-quality wedding cake ornament that represents a joyous celebration of a wedding, or an old fashioned graduation cap ornament that represents a proud moment of a graduation.
Embrace Christmas Time– Nostalgic Christmas ornaments embrace the holiday season to its fullest! As I mentioned above: there’s a certain “look” to these nostalgic ornaments that ignites more of a feeling- whether it brings back childhood memories, or makes you feel as though the ornament could have been your parent’s, grandparent’s or great-grandparent’s! It takes you back to a simple time and place, one that feels warm and cozy, full of holiday cheer and time with family- what the holiday season is all about!

Where Can You Find Vintage Ornaments (or Vintage Inspired Ornaments)

Surprisingly, Amazon has a great selection of some of the top heirloom-quality, vintage inspired, or nostalgic ornament brands on the market today: Old World Christmas, Spode, Lenox, Wedgwood, etc.
Flea markets or German-style holiday markets (like our Christkindlmarket we have here in Chicago)
Local artisan shops (*be sure to be on the lookout when you’re on vacation! We have a tradition of always buying an ornament for our tree from the location of every family trip we take).
Most stores will have a wide array of ornaments during the holiday season, I’ve actually found some of my favorite ornaments at Target!
Etsy is also a fantastic resource for handmade original ornaments.

Nostalgic Christmas Ornaments You’ll Love For An Old Fashioned Christmas Tree

From the 12 Days of Christmas, to the Nutcracker, to classic Santa ornaments, you’ll love these nostalgic Christmas ornaments for an old fashioned Christmas tree this holiday season!