Have Yourself a Merry Mad Men Christmas
Whether you are mad for Mad Men or simply love to mix the old with the new, finding retro style holiday decorations has never been easier. Case in point: The cover of this season’s Sundance holiday catalog (above). They give their vintage reproduction light-up snowman a “10 on the retro-hip coolness scale.” This holiday season I am seeing more products than ever to bring a little of the 1940s, 1950s and 1960s into your home. From sweet and nostalgic to sleek and atomic, mid-century is really hot – and guaranteed to put a big smile on the worst Scrooge in the family. Ready to deck your halls? Here are some of my top finds for retro-style holiday decorations this season. Readers – send me your finds to add to our list! Picks so far:
1. Decorations from Vermont Country Store: Woah, Rudolf, this place is the motherlode of exact reproductions and all the Xmas stuff you remember from your childhood. The elves above – reproductions from 1940s and 50s ornaments. Vermont Country Store’s holiday decor here.
2. Christopher Radko gets major snaps for making these reproduction Shiny Brite ornaments – and so does reader Anne Blackwell for sending me the suggestion and the link.
Radko even reproduced the ornament hanger box. What attention to detail!
3. Duh. Of course you must also have an aluminum Christmas tree. Now is the time to buy a vintage tree on ebay — everyone who has one to sell has slammed it on the auction site by now, for sure. Another way up-market alternative: The vision from Hammacher Schlemmer, made from aluminum rather than tinsel. $399 here. Need a color light wheel? Go to Vermont Country Store.
4. I am all about these vintage Vera Neumann table linens, “Poinsettia.” You can buy them at Macy’s — or you can by them right here on my Amazon store. The prices are great. Tip: The tablecloth is actually available in five sizes – look for the selection box right on the listing page. Also: Go for the half apron. You will match!
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5. Here’s what the Sundance catalog has to say about their light-up plastic snowman: “So over-the-top tacky that he scores a 10 on the retro-hip coolness scale, our kitschy light-up snowman is an enduring testament to neighborhood folk art.” … “A 10 on the retro-hip coolness scale?” That’s all of us here at Retro Renovation! hahahahahahaha. Thanks for Nancy B. for this tip! Link here.
6. I’ve always been a fan of these Land’s End needlepoint Christmas stockings. I’m not sure how to “date” them exactly, but they sure are classics. We have these at my house. Land’s End.
7. Bethany Lowe is another artist who has some mid-century inspired decorations to consider. I found these Snowman hat boxes, inspired by vintage wrapping paper, at RetroRedheads.com.
8. We used to live in Michigan. Every holiday season, our across-the-street neighbors would add a new Lionel train to the tracks that they set up circling their Christmas tree. Which means that in this holiday round-up, I can show this reproduction of the 1955 Lionel “Congressional” set, the train that ran between New York and Washington, D.C. This Lionel set was top-of-the-line in its day, and at $1299.00 today, it’s no slouch either. Whether you start small or big, I love love love the idea of this choo choo Christmas tradition. Lionel’s Congressional here.
9. And last (for now) but CERTAINLY not least, Urban Outfitters brings us … as an exclusive… that everlasting classic, A Charlie Brown Christmas, by the Vince Guaraldi Trio, 1965. And in vinyl, can you believe it? I got so excited when I saw this, that I ran upstairs to tell Mr. Retro Renovation, who has an “in” with Santa.
But gosh, there’s more. UO also has an exact reproduction of Charlie Brown’s sad little Christmas tree.
And, they’ve copied Linus’ blanket – with sales benefitting the Linus Project, an organization that creates and distributes handmade blankets and afghans to children in need. Homemade afghans? You know how I feel about those. But did you know that I also love love love love Charlie Brown. And I adore this Urban Outfitters tribute. Well done, Urban Outfitters.
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I still have these elves! We love them – they move magically through the house during the holiday season watching the kids and reporting back to Santa!
Thanks for these decorations – I’m itching to find new 50’s stuff this year!
SO cool! Thanks. I have always loved collecting vintage xmas stuff. BTW, for the retro Midwesterners, I saw the Charlie Brown Christmas Tree at Meijers!
I had to add that the 18 inch Charlie Brown tree is $7.99 as opposed to a 24 inch for $19.95 a the Vermont Country Store.
We had those little elves on our tree when I was a kid!
My dh always insisted on purchasing a CB Xmas tree. We alternated between us (my deluxe version v his CB tree) until my tree crashed for no reason and destroyed some of my glass balls! We got a fake one after that…
they sell the charlie brown tree at kmart
My plastic Snowman arrived three weeks ago…and will be put outside tomorrow along with the plastic Noel candle I scored a few years ago. Both from Vermont Country Store, my absolute favorite place to shop. Wish I could afford (much less store) a Snowman army like in the photo!
Hmmmm….do I need some more Shiny-Brites?!?!?
OH Pam! That Darned Aluminum Christmas tree! I have been on the hunt for one since my Freshman year in High school (2004) and FINALLY got a 4ft Ever Gleam pine on Ebay for $80 in September… I know, I know, $80 for a tree… but i LOVE IT! and to remind me of my shame, The Original Price $4,98 is written on the box… haha But Iv got the Tree (ebay), the rotating stand (GoodWill) , the Color wheel (Vermont Country Store) and Turquoise Christmas balls (Walmart).. HENCE I have the coolest Tree on the block! As a matter of fact this years Christmas Theme for my house is “Christmas 1958″ I’ll have to send you some pictures!~
Nikki got me a vintage aluminum tree last year for Christmas, so we get to put it up this year. Can’t wait!
Hi all,
I found this tree on the following site and made in the USA to boot!
http://www.christmasdepot.com/product/7-Foot-Silver-Artificial-Christmas-Tree-With-Color-Wheel_7067426SCW.htm#
I hate to see all these very American iconic Christmas items made overseas, so it was a delight to find the website for the trees.
Jean
Oh my, Shiny Brites! Now I don’t have to scour EBay for them anymore!
I want, want, want one of those snowmen! I’m envious of all you retro-renovators (Mick) who scored an aluminum tree on ebay. I was watching quite a few, but my budget doesn’t allow for that this year. Maybe next year.
I will use my white tree this year. I do have a collection of Shiny Brites, though. I also have some vintage ornaments.
Major bummer…Sundance is sold out of the snowmen (11/29/09).
Customer service said maybe they will have them again next year.
Rats..I really wanted one.
Vermont country store does have a similar one this year.
well let me tell you this – Kalamazoo has restored the old outdoor Christmas ornaments/figures. They were sold in the 80’s to a local family, who kept them in good condition. This year they were loaned back to the city for a retro holiday. It’s fantastic to see the old figures in Bronson park. FYI-they always have the candycane lane-which is a treat to see
A couple years ago I wrote letters to retailers asking for outdoor nativity sets (Menards is the only one who sells them). I didn’t want a blow up penguin, snoopy in a vet, santa merry go round etc. I just wanted the simple outdoor nativity set. Like I said Menards is the only retailer who carries them…so I bought it…and lo & behold, the figures are made in the USA! Double bonus, huh?
Another story in our family, is the blue star on the family tree. It’s from my parents first Christmas (1954)…it doesn’t work anymore, but it’s a symbol of 50+ years of love. In fact, the star is in my parents will for my brother to get…it means that much to our family. Monitarily, It’s not worth anything, just a blue star from the 50’s–
Thanks for the holiday memories–time to put the apron on & to go make some cookies (old recipes of course.)
I have an original Snowman, but he’s a little different than the one on RR. He’s pretty much the same, but holding a broom. I never put him outside for fear he’ll get stolen. I must have the nicest neighbors in the world–who gave it to me about 3 years ago.
I am very curious about Jean’s silver Christmas tree!
I’m guessing these are some sort of plastic or mylar-type material? The website didn’t really say.
So, Jean–is it nice? Would you buy another one?
We looked at aluminum trees on E-bay this year as we really wanted one…unfortunately it would have been awfully expensive to buy one that was (allegedly, of course) really cherry, plus the color wheel, plus a rotator base. This time of year when I am only billing half the hours I do in-season I am more concerned about spending the money on other things, right? We didn’t really start thinking about the tree until October, and even then it was a bit late to find a screamin’ deal if there is such a thing on one…I sure like the price on the 7-foot brand new one with the color wheel!
Thanks,
Dave
I scored a vintage aluminum xmas tree MINT IN THE BOX – all the branches still in their little paper sleeves – at an estate sale over the summer (only $30!!!). PLUS a color wheel at the same sale. I am so excited to put it up this xmas – as soon as we move into our renovation in the next couple weeks. I have before pics of the renovation, but no after pics because my camera broke. I’ll have to borrow a camera from someone and post the pics here!
I grew up with this snowman faithfully guarding our front porch. My parents still put it in the same place. On the other side of the porch is always Mrs. Claus. Someday, it will sit on my front porch. But, I don’t mind waiting.
I’d LOVE to see some pictures of retro decorating! Inside or out! We have a ‘57 ranch, and I’m a bit perplexed as to how to arrange outdoor lights. Following the roofline is an option, but I don’t know if it gives full justice though. Any ideas?
Kersten, I don’t know that I will do a “call for holiday photos” this year. I am super busy with work and these always take a lot of time.
One suggestion, if you’re into Facebook: Join the Retro Renovation Facebook group. You can post photos there….Link is in center column… If you’re an RR junkie, I also try to post additional content on the Facebook Fan page….
I just bought the same snowman at K-Mart today. I scored the last one on the display.
Congrats, Ann!
I am so jealous of Detroit Janice and how she scored the aluminum xmas tree! And the color light too. That is my fondest childhood memory….seeing that aluminum tree with the different colors at my Grandma’s house every time I would visit her at Xmas.
Enjoy Detroit Janice….you lucky duck!
Pam,
I wanted to thank you for posting that about Vera Vintage Poinsettia. I got them at Macy’s for half off, plus another recession-driven discount, and they are wonderful! My Christmas was definitely better because of them.