Antique Christmas Decoration Idea for an Old Time Holiday

Christmas Decoration Tips

If you are like me, you love to put up decorations on your artificial or living tree to start off the holidays. Here are some ideas about using an antique Christmas decoration I know you will enjoy.

Christmas is always a time to look forward to in any household. But what makes it all the more exciting in our household is the fact that the entire family comes together to put up the Christmas decorations.

This has been a time honored tradition in our family from the past several years. In fact, I still can’t recall how or when it started, but it all probably came into being the day my grand father walked into the house with a mysterious gift box wrapped under his arm.

I was just a kid then, but naturally I was curious. So as he came into the house and proceeded to recline on his couch, we all (namely, my sister, brothers and assorted cousins) gathered around him to see what he had brought home.

We were all secretly hoping that it was some candy, for grand father had a knack for sourcing the most amazing candy! But then, he was a man full of surprises and one could never be sure what he had come home with.

Slowly, in the holiday spirit

Grandfather saw the twinkle in all our eyes and slowly (almost laboriously) opened the box to reveal – you would never guess – an antique Christmas decoration! What attraction an antique Christmas decoration could hold for a ten year old is beyond my comprehension even today, but to be honest, I was enthralled.

Just seeing that antique Christmas decoration (don’t ask me how I knew that it was an antique Christmas decoration; my grand father told me!) made my little face light up with joy. Grand father then slowly proceeded to explain the story behind the antique Christmas decoration.

He told us how a humble pheasant in rural Russia had lovingly carved up a piece of walnut wood to make the shape of the antique Christmas decoration. He then imaginatively led us through the various things the pheasant must have done to create each of the unique features of the decoration till it took its beautiful shape and size.

He also narrated to us how the antique Christmas decoration must have lain in some musty old attic till it was discovered by some shrewd relative or junk collector, who, having recognized its true value, must have sold it to the antique dealer from whence my grandfather bought it.

Even today, as we all gather around Christmas time to decorate the tree in our living room, we take great pride in the first of all antique Christmas decorations our grand father procured for us.

Ever since we could afford it, one or the other of us has taken turns to buy some or the other antique Christmas decoration for the tree. But even now, the pride of place, the top belongs to the antique Christmas decoration – a beautiful walnut star – that grandfather bought.

A different antique holiday story

Walking through our local antique store several years ago, I came upon the most exquisite antique Christmas decoration that I had ever seen. I frequent antique stores fairly often, usually just for browsing.

Every once in a while something catches my eye that I absolutely must have. This antique Christmas decoration was one of those items. The cost for this antique Christmas decoration was only $20 and I scooped the tiny angel up and proudly took her home.

After I cleaned her up somewhat, very delicately, it revealed a tiny angel sitting on top of a gold ornament with elegant filigree surrounding it. I assumed that there had once been a small bell inside of the ornament but that had long since been lost.

As I did a bit of research, I discovered that she most likely dated back to the early 1900's. I was enthralled. She was gently placed on top of our family Christmas tree when the time came.

Where to shop for antique holiday decorations

Often times, treasures such as the antique Christmas decoration that I found can be found in antique stores or at auctions. I've even found some simple treasures at flea markets.

You simply have to have patience and a keen eye for them. Of course, everyone sees something different in antiques. What I find to be breathtaking, someone else may find to be appalling. It is all in the eyes of the beholder.

But, I knew that I had found something very special in my angel antique Christmas decoration. After doing more research, I found that it was valued at approximately $150. Not only had I been lucky enough to find such an antique Christmas decoration, but I had gotten a real bargain on it as well.

An ornament with real meaning

The reason that I am drawn to antique Christmas decorations is because of the elegance of the years gone by. More time and elegance was placed on holiday décor many years ago.

People took the time to make decorations by hand and make each one differently. Today, decorations are produced in factories and many households across the world have the exact same decorations. Previous time periods didn't have the luxury of factories.

Everything was different and made with care. When things were made in that manner, the elegance was always obvious. It still is. With the antique Christmas decoration that I'd managed to find, you could tell that someone had put quite a bit of time and energy into making it. The etchings were perfect and the sense was that someone had put quite a bit of time into creating it.

When finding such a treasured antique Christmas decoration, it is almost as if you are keeping that time period and that creator alive in a sense. The memories and the story of that antique Christmas decoration continue to live on when it is seen at the top of my family's live Christmas tree.

Treat yourself this Christmas

Take some time to walk through an antique store. See if anything catches your attention. Perhaps you will be fortunate enough to find an antique Christmas decoration like I did. Or, maybe you will find a real jewel that will delight your family for generations.

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