There's something special about vintage and vintage-inspired holiday decor. It seems to act as a time machine, taking our memories back to simpler times of childhood. So often, we'll see something and thing "My parents used to put that out, " or "My grandma had that." These nostalgic feelings certainly add to the Christmas magic in the air.
Today, I shared a few of my favorite vintage looks on Studio 5, a local TV program. I like to refer to the look as Kitschmas, because it's a throwback to that 40s, 50s, 60s, and even 70s kitsch I love so much!
Here are a few of the things I made. I'll be posting my December Daily storybook album separately soon, so please keep your eye on my blog for more details.
The felt banner shown above was made by older brother when he was just a tiny kiddo. It has hung on our basement door every Christmas of my lifetime and continues to hang there now that we're all grown and moved out. I love that my parents keep to the same decorations year after year. It adds to the feeling of coming home to walk in and see these treasures on display.
Wanting a similar look in my own home, I got some delicious wool felt from Pine Needles at Gardner Village and created my version of the Noel hello.
It was an easy thing to do. The tree is just cut triangles, hot glued to the backing. I rolled a few felt flowers to act as decor and added the letters, which I freehand cut. You could also print and trace letters for a more precise look.
The same was true with this long, lean Santa. He was inspired by a version my other brother created as a kiddo in school. His is red, but the gist is the same, down to the toilet-paper roll body frame. Again, it was just wool felt, cut and glued into place.
For my wreath, I wrapped a wreath base with fluffy yarn and my husband and I made the yarn poms to add. I used yarn from Kamille's. It was perfect!
I added more of my poms to a stocking I cut from felt, using another stocking I had on hand as a pattern.
Adding kitsch to your Christmas is easy. It calls for a few basic supplies and motifs.
Common Kitsch Supplies
felt, yarn, sequins, beads, tinsel, pom poms
Common Kitsch Motifs & Looks
Santas (the cartoon version), Rudolph-style reindeer, felt stockings, bright colors, bottle brush trees, etc.
For more vintage looks, check out my Christmas Pinterest board. I have so many yummy images there for you to enjoy!
I hope you and yours have a very merry Kitschmas and a swell New Year!