Deck the halls with history!
As you deck your halls, estate sales and thrift stores offer a treasure trove of collectibles.
Spode Christmas Tree China
Few items capture the essence of the holidays better thanSpode Christmas Tree.
Credit:Leben Riebe
Theres a reason its so iconic, too.
It has been produced by Spode since 1938, specifically with the American marketplace in mind.
Spodes future Design Director, Harold Holdway, was tapped to develop something special.
Credit:Replacements LTD
He settled on the Christmas tree topped with a Santa tree-topper.
When identifying the pattern, Santa is your tell-tale sign that youve got a Spode piece on your hands.
Replacements LTD
Over the years, Spode has expanded its collection, even creating specific designs for retailers.
Credit: West Elm
If youre lucky, you’re free to find them at estate sales and antique stores.
Grey Joyner, an interior designer in North Carolina, explains there are websites (andbooks!)
dedicated to valuing the ornaments, but you’re free to tell a lot by studying the hook.
Credit: Photo by Laurey W. Glenn
The original ones were made of metal and had ‘Made In U.S. OF A.’
stamped on the top.
These cardboard tab ornaments are especially collectible because they werent manufactured for long.
Credit:Chelsea Nelson
These ornaments have once again gained popularity thanks to over-the-top social media vintage decorators such as AtlantasArtful Roger.
whose TikTok video of his ornament-filled tree has over one million views.
My favorite Santas are the ones with happy, cherubic faces and a great big belly.
Credit:Leben Riebe
The mid-twentieth century Santas tend to be incredibly cute!
Those identified as vintage Santa Clauses (post-1920s), were made with plastic, celluloid, and ceramic.
To me, there is nothing more beautiful than a nostalgic Christmas.
Credit: Etsy
The line was long, and the determination was real.
Most popular is its Santas, particularly its Santa mugs.
St. Louis estate liquidator and collector, Heather Shayne (known asMrs.
Chelsea Nelson
Savannah resident Sara Lane recalls her own inherited collection.
Every year it would sit on our entry table filled with candy canes.
Putz Houses
These whimsical decorations are tiny, detailed, and oh-so cute.
These early iterations are considered to be the beginning of the massive porcelain Christmas villages many collectors have today.
Fort WorthsLeben Riebe, well-known for his incredible vintage Christmas collection, has a healthy throng of putzes.
They are made of paraffin wax, which easily melts and morphs.
If you find yourself in possession of a Gurley candle, you are holding a bit of history.
Georgia resident, antique booth owner, and bloggerEmily Bakerhas been a collector for years.
Her more than 117k Instagram followers tune in to her page to see her acquisitions cleverly displayed each season.
I began picking them up whenever I found them, no matter what holiday or season they were for.
I have lots of Christmas, Halloween, Thanksgiving, and spring/Easter candles.
Birmingham resident Amy Couch inherited a collection from her great aunt, which she proudly showcases year-round.
I now display them in my secretary, says Couch.
Tiffany Holiday China
Is there anything quite as special as Tiffany and Co.?
The brands holiday tabletop collection is no different.
Tiffany Holiday bone china by Tiffany & Co. was inspired by traditional Victorian celebrations.
The pattern looks especially lovely on holiday table prefs when surrounded by sterling silver and accompanied by crystal.
