Retro Christmas crafting and decorating stories have been a staple of this blog and our community for 10+ years. And, as with all things midcentury, the mass market has been following along, a bit more every year. But this year — 2018 — mass market Kitschmas seems to be here bigger than ever. Leading me to hereby declare: The U.S.A. may now be at “Peak Retro” when it comes Christmas decorations being created for the mainstream market. Above: A shot from inside the Bethany Lowe wholesale 2018 Christmas catalog, which is chock full of retro.
Update, readers asked where to get these retail. I found them on Amazon via the links (affiliate links) below:
- Bethany Lowe ornaments — https://amzn.to/2PJKjz4
- Bethany Lowe buildings — https://amzn.to/2PLajd9
- Bethany Lowe figurines — https://amzn.to/2PL4Lzj
And more if you click the particular category!
Bethany Lowe ornaments — https://amzn.to/2PJKjz4
Bethany Lowe buildings — https://amzn.to/2PLajd9
Bethany Lowe figurines — https://amzn.to/2PL4Lzj
I went out for a few hours last week to scan local places for itsy ornaments for wreaths and putz houses, and golly, Retro surely must be the #1 theme this year.
What I’m seeing in stores:
Much of the retro Christmas decor that I saw in stores or am seeing online appears to be either (1) licensed reproductions like the lovely Kurt Adler* and Christopher Radko Shiny Brite* reproductions (*affiliate link), (2) similar-such facsimiles aka knock-offs taken straight from the past, or (3) manufactured items inspired by the work of crafters and artists who have been innovating with lovely ideas to upcycle and showcase authentic ephemera and ornaments in new and pleasing ways.
Want to create your own upcycled creations — using vintage and/or new ornaments? It’s SO FUN to create your own heirloom! We have several detailed tutorials to help you on your way:
- Make a wreath from vintage ornaments — many stories here, including original instructions from Georgia Peachez who, as far as I know, invented or at least popularized this craft including giving me instructions to post and share on the blog.
- Make dioramas using empty ornament boxes — kudos also to Georgia Peachez.
- And of course, we have our own twist on putz houses — see all our designs and get to our free downloadable patterns in one place.