The High Value of Vintage Christmas Ornaments (2024)

FAQs

What is considered a vintage ornament? ›

According to industry experts, Vintage refers to something that is from an earlier generation, while Antique refers to something that is over 100 years old. Collectors of Vintage ornaments and decorations are numerous!

Based on research, an average vintage Christmas ornament costs $200 either as a lot or a single item. As forever relevant items, these decorative pieces are always in demand and still in production years after their creation.

One of the most important indicators that an ornament is vintage is patina, or the wear that comes with age. Antique and vintage Christmas ornaments will show some wear, even if they are in excellent condition. You'll see the mercury glass flaking off a bit or the metal taking on a dull appearance from tarnish.

For instance, an entire box of stenciled Shiny Brite ornaments dating to the 1940s through the '60s in excellent condition might sell for $50 to $60. If you shop around to find them one at a time, you'll likely pay in the $5 to $10 range, or a bit more for rare or extra special examples.

An engraved deer toe dating back 51,000 years is the oldest ornament in the world, according to researchers, who say it shows Neanderthals had an eye for aesthetics, Report informs via Daily Mail .

Balls. Ball or bulb ornaments are one of the most common types of Christmas ornaments. They are usually made of glass, plastic, or metal and come in various sizes and colors.

There are many reproductions currently marketed as "mercury glass", in table form, ornaments and other objects. New "mercury glass" can be distinguished from antique silvered glass in several ways, including lack of a double wall, and solid bottoms that are different from true antique silvered glass.

Earn extra cash – A small business in which you make and sell Christmas ornaments is a great way to earn extra money from a side gig, and you even could expand it to a full-time way to earn cash.

Antique ornaments could contain a small amount of mercury mixed with other metals trapped between the two glass layers of the ornament's walls. If you have an old mercury glass ornament that breaks, call Poison Control, which will walk you through how to air out the room carefully and clean up any mercury.

How do you identify a vintage? ›

The first decorated trees were adorned with apples, white candy canes, and pastries in the shapes of stars, hearts and flowers. Glass baubles were first made in Lauscha, Germany, by Hans Greiner (1550–1609), who produced garlands of glass beads and tin figures that could be hung on trees.

As a collector, one big way to tell if Shiny Brite ornaments are authentic is by their hangers. Pre WWII, the caps were stamped with “Made in the US. of A.”. As I mentioned before, during the war, the metal caps were replaced with cardboard caps and hangers.

Originally sold as window decor, kugels ("spheres" in German), appeared on the scene in the early 1800s. They were the first iteration of glass ornaments (a style that has now persisted for decades), and it's rare to find originals with the color still vibrant—many pieces have worn over time.

If any ornaments lack their original boxes, use sturdy, acid-free divided boxes to hold your collection. Opt for heavy cardboard over plastic containers, which prevent moisture from escaping. Be sure to store your keepsake ornaments in a location that remains dry and cool year-round.

Vintage ornaments can be really beautiful when displayed in a decorative bowl. This glass bowl allows all of the color and textures to peek out. Pretty! If you only have a few ornaments, you can group them by color and make small vignettes like the one shown here in pink.

Around the holidays, vintage ceramic trees could fetch a few hundred dollars, depending on the type and condition. Last year, Richter recalls selling multiple vintage ceramic trees for between $100 and $200 each. Musical trees tend to be more valuable, he says, as well as very large very small ones.

Which is the most precious among all the ornaments? ›

(D) 26 carat. Hint: Gold is considered to be the most precious metal that is generally used for the manufacturing of jewellery or ornaments. Gold is a noble metal that is resistant to most of the acids. Gold is also considered to be the most malleable of all the metals.

Designed by Linda Sickman, the Rocking Horse ornament was the first in its series. Designed by Linda Sickman, the Tin Locomotive ornament was the first in its series. The Tenth Christmas Together ornament was designed to celebrate the 10 years since the beginning of Hallmark's Keepsakes.

An ornament is something that lends grace or beauty to something, is a manner or quality that adorns, is a person whose virtues or graces add luster to a place or society, and is the act of adorning or being adorned. The word ornament has a deeper meaning than I imagined.

There are several colors which are traditionally associated with Christmas. This site uses Red, Green and Gold. But why do we have them and what do the colors represent?

While red and green top the charts during the jolliest time of year, gold, blue, and white often follow suit. Gold symbolizes the gift from the three wise men, blue represents Mother Mary and the rich blue robes she was often seen in as a result of her wealth, and white links to the purity of Jesus himself.

In 1973, Hallmark introduced a small line of six glass ball ornaments and 12 yarn figures as the first collection of Hallmark Keepsake Ornaments. The longest-running current ornament series is Frosty Friends, now in its 35th year.

In 2009, Hallmark Jewelers created the most expensive bauble globally that costs a whopping $136,000. The sphere is made from 18-carat white gold and designed with a snowflake-cut pattern. As mentioned by LuxuryLaunches, it is made from 1,578 diamonds and surrounded by two rings made from 188 encrusted rubies.

There are many reproductions currently marketed as "mercury glass", in table form, ornaments and other objects. New "mercury glass" can be distinguished from antique silvered glass in several ways, including lack of a double wall, and solid bottoms that are different from true antique silvered glass.

What is the most popular Christmas ornament? ›

What is the most popular ornament on the top of a Christmas tree? Angels and stars are known to be the classic choices for Christmas tree toppers, but more modern traditions have experimented with anything from big ribbon bows to elaborate snowflake ornaments.

Tree-toppers can take any form, though the most common include a star (representing the Star of Bethlehem), finial, angel ("Christmas angel"), or fairy.

Due to their enduring popularity and limited availability, many Hallmark Keepsake Ornaments have appreciated in value since their release.

Designed by Joyce Lyle, the Joyful Messenger was made to commemorate 25 years since the first Hallmark Keepsake ornament. Designed by Nina Aube, the Mischievous Kitten ornament was the first in its series.

The Popularization of Christmas Ornaments

Like the Christmas tree, Christmas ornaments originated in Germany. Hans Greiner began to make glass Christmas ornaments called baubles during the 1800s. These were the first manufactured Christmas ornaments, and they were a huge commercial success.

If you look at only the telefilms that have aired between the two TV channels, it might surprise long-time devotees to learn that actor Steve Bacic has appeared in the most Hallmark movies.

Keepsake ornaments are dated. Keepsake ornaments include Storytellers, Limited Quantity, continuing series, licensed characters, convention and member exclusive, and personalized ornaments. Many feature "magic" like sound, light, or motion.

Different ways to determine whether glass is antique are to study the patina, the colour, its markings and its patterns, while also looking for bubbles and a pontil mark. Also check to see if the item is definitely glass, not crystal.

What is Mercury Glass? Mercury glass, also known as silvered glass, contains neither mercury nor silver. It's actually clear glass, mold-blown into double-walled shapes and coated on the inside with a silvering formula, which is inserted though a small hole that is then sealed with a plug.