How to Decorate Retro for Christmas

Using a real Christmas tree gives a retro look to your home.

Many people reminisce about holidays from their youth, or they are inspired by their parents or grandparent's memories. Decorating with a retro Christmas theme is an interesting way to display old-fashioned memorabilia from days gone by. Whether you purchase vintage or new reproductions of retro decor, it gives a nostalgic feel to the holiday season and your home. Finding retro holiday items is not a difficult or an expensive process if you search in the correct places and know what to look for.

Things You'll Need

• Fresh Christmas tree or silver or white artificial tree
• Bubble lights
• Vintage toys
• Plastic outdoor decorations
• Antique-looking Christmas ornaments

Instructions

1. Purchase a fresh Christmas tree instead of using an artificial one. Another idea is to purchase a solid white or silver artificial tree that was trendy during the early '60s.

2. Place bubble lights on your Christmas tree. They were trendy in the 1950s through the 1970s. The bubbling liquid gives your tree an old-fashioned glow.

3. Position vintage toys around your tree or nearby, such as an antique train set, a child's red rocker or wagon or an old-fashioned tricycle.

4. Place plastic outdoor decorations, such as a snowman or Santa Claus figurine on your lawn and light them up on cold winter evenings.

5. Purchase antique-looking Christmas ornaments to adorn your tree. Many companies are making ornaments that look vintage. Another idea is to peruse your parent's or grandparent's attic to find old-fashioned holiday decor and ornaments.

6. Visit thrift stores or garage sales, particularly if the host is relocating to another home. Many people donate or sell retro decor at bargain prices before moving because it doesn't suit their personality or style preferences.

7. Browse through antique shops to find retro decor from the past. Near the holiday is an excellent time to find vintage holiday knickknacks and other decorations, although some shops display these items all year round.

Tips & Warnings

• Visit online auction sites to find particular retro items that you desire. These are excellent places to quickly find just about any item from past decades.

• Inspect the cords on retro Christmas decorations that require electricity. If the cord is worn, cracked or has exposed wires, it may be a fire hazard unless you can repair it.

References

• Christmas Central.com: Christmas Bubble Lights
• Apartment Therapy: Christmas Decor: 1950's Style