15 Vintage Ornaments and Holiday Decorations That Are Surprisingly Valuable
Holiday decorations have evolved so much over the last several decades, but there’s nothing quite like vintage holiday decorations to embrace nostalgia. What’s more, some of the decorations that take us back to childhood are actually worth an astounding amount today. We found some of the most valuable vintage ornaments and other holiday decorations and rounded them up below.
Looking for more vintage finds? Check out these vintage figurines and retro kitchenware.
1. Ceramic Christmas Trees
Highest listing price: $900
Ceramic Christmas trees are one of the most iconic vintage holiday decorations, and you can even find them again in stores. They debuted during the mid-20th century and became especially popular in the 1970s and 1980s. These tabletop trees feature bright plastic “bulbs” that light up with an internal bulb. The trees usually come in green but occasionally pop up in rare colors like white or pastel shades, which can significantly boost their value. Today, original vintage ceramic Christmas trees — especially from popular makers like Atlantic Mold — are highly collectible.
2. Blow Molds
Highest listing price: $7,000
Blow mold decorations, especially holiday-themed ones, became popular in the 1950s and 1960s and are now beloved collectibles. These plastic figures, often featuring Santa, snowmen, or reindeer, were designed to illuminate from the inside, making them visible at night. Companies like Empire Plastics and General Foam led the market, creating festive designs (including character versions like Winnie the Pooh and the Peanuts) that are still admired for their vintage charm.
3. Shiny Brite Ornaments
Highest listing price: $65
Shiny Brite ornaments are a quintessential piece of American holiday history, beloved for their bright colors and classic designs. First produced in the 1930s and 1940s, these glass ornaments were a response to the limited import of German-made holiday decorations before and during WWII. Shiny Brite became an icon and produced a variety of styles, from solid-colored balls to intricate, hand-painted designs and stenciled motifs. Collectors prize these vintage ornaments today for their delicate craftsmanship and nostalgic appeal.
4. Aluminum Christmas Trees
Highest listing price: $5,000
Introduced in the late 1950s, aluminum Christmas trees brought a futuristic sparkle to the holiday season with their metallic, space-age look. Unlike traditional green trees, these were made of shiny, silver aluminum branches and were often paired with a color wheel spotlight that bathed the tree in rotating hues.
5. Department 56 ‘The Grinch’ Who-Ville Band Shell
Highest listing price: $2,797
Department 56’s “The Grinch” Who-Ville Band Shell is a cherished piece from the popular collection inspired by Dr. Seuss’s “How the Grinch Stole Christmas.” Known for its whimsical detail and craftsmanship, this collectible captures the festive spirit of the beloved Who-Ville community, with the band shell decked out in vibrant colors that echo the unique Seussian style. These now-rare finds are highly collectible among fans of both Department 56 villages and “The Grinch.”
6. Department 56 Snow Village Gingerbread House
Highest listing price: $350
Part of Department 56’s beloved Snow Village series, this piece is intricately designed with frosted rooftops, candy cane pillars, and colorful candy details that add to its charm. Introduced as a limited edition, it’s now a coveted collectible among Department 56 enthusiasts. Complete, well-maintained gingerbread houses, especially those with original packaging, are particularly sought-after by collectors who appreciate nostalgia.
7. Holt Howard Winking Santa Punch Bowl with 12 Mugs
Highest listing price: $700
Created in the 1950s, this ceramic set features Santa’s winking face in a charming, vintage style that was iconic for Holt Howard’s holiday line. Each mug mirrors the punch bowl’s adorable (and jolly) Santa design, making it a fun, festive centerpiece for holiday gatherings. Because of its nostalgic appeal and rarity — especially with all 12 mugs intact — this punch bowl set is highly valued by collectors.
8. Holt Howard Santa Clause Cookie Jar
Highest listing price: $600
Holt Howard knows its Santa stuff, guys. This Santa Claus cookie jar is a whimsical, highly collectible piece from the 1950s that embodies retro holiday charm. Designed with Holt Howard’s signature playful touch, the jar features a cheerful Santa face with a charmingly exaggerated expression. This cookie jar has become a rare find, adding to its allure.
9. Danbury Mint The Peanuts Village Christmas Tree
Highest listing price: $530
It’s hard to go wrong with the “Peanuts” gang and Christmas trees. There are a couple of different versions, all of which are highly collectible and beloved. But the towering Danbury Mint, snow-covered tree with the trains, “Peanuts” characters, and ice skating is the most valuable of them all.
10. Spun Cotton German Christmas Ornaments
Highest listing price: $1,500
Spun cotton German Christmas ornaments are delicate, handcrafted treasures that date back to the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Made by wrapping thin cotton fibers around a wire frame, these vintage ornaments were often shaped into whimsical figures like angels, animals, and snowmen. Their fragile nature and intricate craftsmanship make them rare finds today, especially in good condition.
11. Wallace Silversmith’s Silver Christmas Bells
Highest listing price: $420
Ring-a-ling! Wallace Silversmith’s Silver Christmas Bells are elegant and timeless holiday collectibles, cherished since the series began in 1971. Each bell is crafted from gleaming sterling silver or silver-plated metal and often engraved with the year of its release, making them a popular choice for annual holiday traditions and gifts. The bells feature intricate designs, from holly and ivy motifs to festive scenes. Due to their craftsmanship and collectibility, vintage Wallace bells — particularly those in excellent condition with their original packaging — can command impressive prices among collectors.
12. Bradford Star Christmas Tree Topper
Highest listing price: $660
Popular in the 1950s and 1960s, the Bradford Star Christmas tree topper combines a vibrant starburst shape with a mesmerizing internal disc that rotates when lit, casting colorful reflections around the room. It’s like a disco ball for the Yuletide. Made from plastic and adorned with metallic accents, the Bradford Star embodies the retro-futuristic style of the era.
13. Department 56 ‘A Christmas Story’ Village Hammond Town Hall
Highest listing price: $640
Department 56’s “A Christmas Story” Village Hammond Town Hall is a nostalgic piece that brings the charm of the classic holiday film to life. Part of the “A Christmas Story” Village series, this intricately detailed building replicates the iconic town hall featured in Ralphie’s hometown, complete with festive decorations and period-accurate architecture. Collectors love its whimsical nods to the movie and its ability to create a cozy, storybook-like holiday scene when paired with other pieces in the collection.
14. Disney Toon Town Donald Duck Light-up Boathouse
Highest listing price: $500
Donald Duck’s boat — which is called the Miss Daisy — is part of Disney’s Toon Town village collection, and is the most rare (and therefore expensive) piece of the set. The complete set includes nine intricately detailed houses: Mickey Mouse’s House, Minnie Mouse’s House, Goofy’s House, Donald’s Boat Miss Daisy, Chip ‘n Dale’s Tree House, Toontown Five ‘n Dime, Toontown Courthouse, Toontown Fire Station, and Toontown City Hall. Each house is decorated with working Christmas lights, creating a festive and glowing display.
15. Department 56 Dickens Village Collection
Highest listing price: $16,000
The Department 56 Dickens Village Collection is a beloved holiday series that brings the charm of Victorian-era London to life. Inspired by the works of Charles Dickens, particularly “A Christmas Carol,” this collection features intricately designed buildings, shops, and homes that evoke the bustling streets and festive spirit of 19th-century London. With attention to detail, each piece is carefully crafted, often including whimsical touches like snow-covered rooftops, twinkling lights, and period-appropriate architecture. Popular pieces include iconic landmarks like the Dicken’s Village Scrooge & Marley’s Counting House and the Cratchit family home. As a retired collection, these pieces are highly collectible, with well-maintained sets fetching impressive prices.